sparks2

Hi Woody - I stand corrected, if you say the larger 'Bultaco' script was introduced on the M91/92, then I'll take that. Trailie - My M80 is fitted with the earlier type Sammy Miller front mudguard stays. These were an almost universal mod at the time to stiffen up the rather flexible early flat (non-arched) yokes. The stays in the B/W photos are the later SM stays which were more splayed. The chainguard on my M80 is a much later Sammy Miller item, still available today as a universal chainguard, but this is a virtual copy of the one fitted to the original M49/M80. I can post photos, if these would still be of use. Woody - I might be wrong on this, but I don't think the 'Kit Campeon' was ever marketed as such in the UK. What I do remember was a Sammy Miller kit of parts to update the M49 to M80 spec. The Kit comprised slimline tank/seat unit and a downturned exhaust system. The tank was available in blue or green with a cream band, perhaps there could have been other colour options. The SM glassfibre work would, I think, be produced in the UK as it seemed to be of a higher quality than the Spanish item, although the mouldings were identical at first glance. You could always tell the SM tanks as they had a 1/4 turn chrome filler cap, the Spanish ones having the screwed black plastic cap. The SM kit may have slightly preceded the introduction of the M80. The 'Kit Campeon' could, of course, have been marketed elsewhere in the world. Perhaps Sammy had an informal agreement with Bultaco not to market the 'KC' in the UK, thus leaving the field free for his own kit??? Hope this is of interest. Regards Sparks

Hi Read all the above with interest , having a reasonably original M80 slimline myself. Woody is, as usual, quite correct. But, I think at least some M80's came with a broad 'Bultaco' script on the silver band just ahead of the seat. Stuart - your silencer and tail pipe looks like the original Bultaco setup. To my recollection, the last M49's and the early M80's were virtually identical mechanically apart from the slimline tank and seat unit and the downturned silencer on the M80. Regards Sparks

Hi I'd be from the 'moron fraternity' Not sure about the swinging arm, never seen it's like before, but that's not to say it's good or bad. But the seat is an after market Sammy Miller item. Regards Sparks

Hi Ruffmutt Are you sure, what a co-incidence, my 6 speed Dalesman, owned from new (1970 to 1973) was GWX 31J. How about that then.

Hi and welcome. What happened to the tank inner? They do come up on e-bay sometimes when someone breaks a bike, but they look to be in poor condition. But could well be repairable of course. Are you sure about 1972? The alloy inner tank was introduced in 1973 to meet UK road legislation. And yours has the still later, right foot brake, left foot gear change. A great find never the less, wish I could find mine from about the same vintage. Regards Sparks

The late John Sullivan - brilliant

You could well be right, Woody. Also, I think by 1971 the bottom frame rails had been cut off and replaced by a MAR type sump plate. Also, another thought, couldn't it have been the same machine, just with developments and tank repaints over the months/years ?? (a bit like Trigger's brush). But I certainly remember the unusual bronze/orange tank colour of Paul Brailsford's Ossa. Although whether it was a bronze stripe on white or a white stripe on bronze is now lost to me now. Good to speculate though. Regards Sparks

Above is the 1972 type machine Above is the 1970 SSDT winning bike. This is the type I remember Paul Brailsford riding. Although I was obviously wrong about the tank colour, which was a white stripe on a bronze/orange ground (well it was 40 years ago). The frame is silver. Regards Sparks

Hi Couldn't agree more with Jon. In my opinion, raising the ground clearance destroys the handling and stability (on any bike). You will probably see that modern bikes do not have a great amount of clearance. As Jon says, lift the front wheel over obstacles.

Hi More thoughts:- The bike is unlikely to be 1972 as the production MAR was introduced in January 1972, therefore by May 1972 MA would be riding something that was more akin to the standard production bike. But, of course, could still well be the Scottish winning machine from 1970 or 1971, all the more interesting. The rider I remember having a prototype MAR of the type described was Paul (or Terry ??) Brailsford from the Mansfield / Chesterfield area. Does anyone else remember this? Regards Sparks

Hi It could be. I remember MA's prototype bikes from that time did tend to get sold off and appear in private hands. As I remember the tank colour was a bronze/orange stripe on a white background.

Hi With the cold start device operated, ie cold start lever or tickler, after a bit of kicking, the plug should be starting to become wet with petrol. Is this the case? If not, there could be a problem with crankshaft seals or wear in the bore and/or piston rings. If the plug is starting to become wet, with a reasonably good spark, the engine should fire and continue to run maybe with the help of a bit of throttle. If the engine then will not (eventually) settle down and run reliably slowly (tick over) then suspect the pilot jet system. Hope this is of help. Regards Sparks

Hi This seems to be a weak point on these tanks. I made a small rectangular backing plate (from 5mm mild steel plate) to fit inside the tank on the flat area where the petrol tap sits - two outer holes, drilled and tapped M6 at centres to suit the tap mounting screws and a central elongated clearance hole for the filter. Make up a new O ring seal for the tap. Just drill, clear out the tank brass insert arrangement and pop the plate inside the tank line up the holes - petrol tap to backing plate and tighten up. A couple of years later - not the hint of a weep. Regards Sparks

Hi I have Rex Caunt and PVL (on different machines) - both good - no problems. Good low speed output on both, in my opinion, better than the Boyer alternator, zenor and capacitor system. Just make sure the supplier knows it's for trials. You seem to know the score with electronic ignition anyway. Regards Sparks

Hi To answer your question - Front wheel further from the down tube. This reduces the trail. The standard cast iron Cub yokes had this offset.

were the frames any better quality than the trials frames ??

Hi Interesting bike. It's an earlyish 247 - 1969 - but fitted with smaller hubs, the front from a Honda 90 stepthru, I think. The bike is still on steel yokes, early fork slider bottoms and a grey tank stopper. Presumably the mods were a private venture from Henk in Holland ?? Should make for an interesting restoration, so keep us informed. Kind Regards Sparks

Hi Yes, SM145 is good for a Sammy Miller frame number. It should be originally chrome or nickel plated, though this may have been overpainted by now. A Sammy Miller frame was a top quality after market frame bought to 'improve' a standard Bultaco. Most would consider it a good 'find' Regards Sparks

Hi Photo is of a Mk1 1968 (as has been said). 1971 was the change over from the white frame to the silver frame. So my best guess would be silver. Regards sparks Edit:- Yes look in the link provided by Bilks:- March 1971 (21M 3000) New Colour ---- (meaning new frame colour). So Frame number 21M42** would be the silver frame

Hi The best looking Bultacos are red and silver, always were, always will be. Only my opinion of course.

I agree with the above. In average hands are they significantly better than the standard (when properly set up) product ?? Regards Sparks

Hi Late banana stanchion tubes :- 1 3/4'' OD , wall thickness:- 1.75mm. Late banana lower link :- 1 1/8'' OD (cannot measure wall thickness as all ends closed). Regards Sparks

Yes, I agree with TwinShock, your frame has been modified and it has been done quite well.

Thanks for clearing that one up. Why was J.A.Hitchcock's son not riding a cub in 1966, still well within the cub's era??