Hello, let me introduce myself first (I should probably post that in the Introduce Yourself post.....) I've been into bikes and off-road since I was 6 and got a Pee-Wee 80, I then graduated to a TS 125 when I was 8, it was a rescue from a scrap yard as it was fire damaged so my Dad and I set about restoring it, whilst all the other kids got the new Atari games system for Christmas in 1984 I was more excited to get a new seat for my bike! (This should give you a clue to my age )

 

When my TS finally died after many years of faithful fun I was in the market for a new bike and it just so happened that my neighbour over the road had one for sale so when I was 14 I saved up all my pocket money for months and for the sum of £75 I became the proud owner of a Bultaco Sherpa T 325, 

 

It ran OK but there was one problem in that it came fitted with a side-car (not sure if it was home made or not) and I wanted to ride my bike solo, so I removed the sidecar, after a few rides I'd notice that it wanted to pull to one side even when attempting to go in a straight line, a quick strip down revealed that the frame had been bent to allow for the sidecar.

 

I then found a donor frame from a local dealer and fitted my engine to that and it went OK aside from the chain falling off all the time and the exhaust not fitting quite right  Then the electrics went kaput and it got put into the garage and forgotten about......until now!

 

I feel it only right that this old beast needs some TLC and the restoration in deserves so this is where I fall on your mercies and expertise and ask for all the advice I can get

 

First off - My engine number is JM19909936-A - I still have the matching numbers frame but as mentioned above it's bent and has been sitting under a tree in the rain for 25ish years from what I have read I think this is a 1980 model - please correct me if I am wrong.

 

Secondly - I have no idea what the frame number is, I have looked all over but cannot find a number but from this post http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/36018-bultaco-198-model-numbers-help/#entry269610 - I am guessing it's a 78/79 frame as it has frame rails under the bash plate.

 

The question I want to ask I guess is what would you do, would you get the original frame fixed and start from there or crack on with a hybrid frame/engine combination?

 

Also can anyone recommend anywhere I can find a service manual/Haynes type manual for my engine, I have trawled the interwebs and I can only find the original documents and unfortunately my GCSE Spanish only stretches so far   

 

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

Ed

Welcome ..Enjoy reading your story  .. Pictures will be nice .. some guru can advise quickly and its generate lot of interest  

Manual:

 

https://www.inmotiontrials.com/product/bultaco-work-shop-service-manual-all-5-speed-models/

When reading your posted numbers the engine should be from a model 199A this model should not have rails under the engine just the bash plate. The frame as you mentioned has rails so the question is what you have for a frame.

As the bike was used with a sidecar it can be possible that the rails or tubes were welded additional to the frame to reinforce it.

The frame number should be located at the steering stem of the frame towards more to the right in driving direction. You might look there, with thick additional paint applied the numbers might be covered. You can use paint stripper to the steering stem tube to take off the layers of paint for getting probably a view to the number.

As the previous poster mentioned some photos from the former sidecar frame would be great, too from the other frame and you engine this which might clarify doubts.

I personal would still try to get matching engine and frame assembled together if they are truly the same and if the salvage isn't too expensive. Straightening the frame does need some time and skills.

Thumps up for your rebuild!

Edited June 29, 201610 yr by pschrauber

MY 199A dose not have matching numbers but are the correct frame and Engine hear take alook.

Edited June 29, 201610 yr by bondy

@Guys - Thanks for the manual link - Ordered! 

 

@pschrauber - Thanks for the Thumbs 

 

@bondy - That's a really nice looking bike. 

 

Now are you prepared for the horror show! 

 

The red frame is the original number matching frame to the engine and it's been under a tree for 25ish years 

 

 

 

Swing-arm a touch rusty!!!!

 

 

Top view showing the bend I hope..

 

 

How it looks now, not sure where the tank is from?

 

 

But it has a Montesa gas cap

 

 

I have the 199-A back box/silencer (somewhere) but it wouldn't fit in the frame.

 

 

Rear View (it is straight, just the mud guard is wonky)

 

 

Engine number

 

 

Engine - Piston is free, just no spark atm (yes that is air ducting going from the air box)

 

 

Can't find a frame number here? Probably hiding under the paint?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

re the frame being out of alignment, there was an article a few months back in Classic Bike with a company that specialised in straightening frames. Might be worth checking out.

The silver frame is a model 49 mark2

A replacement frame from Bultaco sometimes did not have a number on them, but check by the right foot peg .

umm it is a mish mash you would be better trying to get the correct frame or if you can buy a complete bike and make 1 good 1 out the 2

Hi speshal

Welcome to the forum.

You have the basis of a solid bike there, If it were me, I'd be looking at putting the original motor and frame back together. Getting the frame straightened shouldn't be too difficult, look out for workshops specialising in bike crash repairs, they'll have the correct jigs for putting it right.

Second hand parts are fairly readily available on the interweb, new spares are available from several sources in the UK and Spain. I'm also sure that some of the lads on here might well have a few bits'n pieces laying around in their workshops and sheds

I'm in the middle of one restoration, a model 80 and the start of another, a 199A, which I'm currently in the process of gathering together the parts for.

Work and family holidays have delayed progress in the last few weeks, but this Saturday, looks like been a solid uninterrupted workshop day!

As model 80 says would be nice to use the original frame so you would have matching numbers. if you can get it straightened out.

Thanks for all your great feedbaxck and support guys, I'm getting excited about this now 

The silver frame is a model 49 mark2
A replacement frame from Bultaco sometimes did not have a number on them, but check by the right foot peg .

 

That is great to know, I had no idea. The interwebs wasn't around when I bought it but your comment gave me an idea..... The number plate you see in the pictures came with the frame so I checked the DVLA website (the interwebs wasn't readily available when I bought the frame and it came with no paperwork.... according to the DVLA that plate was registered to a 250cc Bultaco on 11/02/1970!!!!! so not only do I have a 325cc engine in a 250 frame, the frame is 10 years older than the engine 

 

umm it is a mish mash you would be better trying to get the correct frame or if you can buy a complete bike and make 1 good 1 out the 2

 

Or............ I've just got myself 2 bikes to restore 

 

 I'm also sure that some of the lads on here might well have a few bits'n pieces laying around in their workshops and sheds
I'm in the middle of one restoration, a model 80 and the start of another, a 199A, which I'm currently in the process of gathering together the parts for.
Work and family holidays have delayed progress in the last few weeks, but this Saturday, looks like been a solid uninterrupted workshop day!

 

 Does anyone have a 250 1970 engine lying about they don't want 

 

I think my current plan of action as it stands is to get the original frame stripped and assess what needs fixing/welding/bending/replacing and then crack on with the engine, if the frame is beyond repair (which despite it's 25 years in the English weather I don't think it is) I'll see if I can find another 199-A frame, in the meantime I may well be looking for a 250 engine 

 

Thanks again 

^{I think you should check the frame for corrosion in case water has been in the tubes before spending money on it. 199a frames do appear on ####uk auction site at times.}

^{The forks and wheels are also to the earlier model but all should be out there to buy, worth calling Ellastone Off Road and Allens Spares they may have parts.}

Edited July 1, 201610 yr by trialsrfun

That's a good point trialsrfun, it was under a tarp, under a tree next to a wall, I've had a good prod with a screwdriver (that's the technical way to check for corrosion right?) and it didn't go through anywhere but......

 

 

 

I've had a message from someone who has a 199 frame in the shed who's friend is looking for a 49 frame....... so..... some swaps might be under way 

 

 

This forum is great 

 

Edited July 1, 201610 yr by speshal

speshal, on 01 Jul 2016 - 1:11 PM, said:

That's a good point trialsrfun, it was under a tarp, under a tree next to a wall, I've had a good prod with a screwdriver (that's the technical way to check for corrosion right?) and it didn't go through anywhere but......

 

 

 

I've had a message from someone who has a 199 frame in the shed who's friend is looking for a 49 frame....... so..... some swaps might be under way 

 

 

This forum is great 

 

Possible result then.