THE BULTACO YEARS


 

 At the end of the Season with all the "Goodies"


 After 3 years on the Montesa, and now good friends with Geoff Chandler of Wasp and Bultaco
fame its time for a change as the grass is always greener....

 I load up the faithful beast and set off the 40 miles or so to New Milton, Hants where there is a
man who knows something about the marque. Sammy invites me to "Start her up then"
  which I do......

 Gerding..Ding.. Ding says the piston as it wanders it's way up and down the barrel "Jeeees,
that'll never seize then!" says the Maestro, and with that the deal is done and I'm away with
my big box containing a new 250 Sherpa T (we bought them in kit form for a couple of years to
avoid the taxes)




Very Neat and Slim! Bike's not Bad Either

 Home and unpack and build, this really is a cracking bike, and so narrow. No funny tailpipe on the
originals it just swept down and finished by your right boot. Everything else about the bike felt
right and within no time I was enjoying a lot of success and having a great time. Of all the trials
bikes I have ever ridden I think this model suited me best and was also the one on which I had my
best results..... Yes, it does amaze me that I haven't rebuilt one yet.




 I do remember that the ignition had to be just so and I spent many hours ensuring that I was
spot on at 4 before!

 During it's lifespan I had the frame nickel plated (7.00 GBP) in those days, went through some
color changes, fitted a Mikuni (pretty revolutionary for 1972) those awful black Vulcan mudguards
that shattered on impact! and a set of Geoff Chandler Renthalls along with some very fancy
Magura levers. Also had the Hommerlite alloy tank for the 72 Scottish as we didn't think the stock
tank would make it across the moors. Finish off with some special Girlings. 





Trials, Hillclimb, Enduro and a School in Cyprus


 During this period I had managed to convince the RAF that we should fly to some of the trials
venues and we enjoyed trips out to both Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands and also
took a C130 Hercules out to Cyprus in the Mediterrenean where Jon Tye was flying Vulcans and
actively promoting trials. I think 1972 was the year when I spent 9 weeks motorcycling "On Duty".




One of my Favourites, Coalasnacoan 1972 SSDT


 The 1972 Scottish was a breeze and the bike never missed a beat and I enjoyed probably my
easiest ride round the famous event. Of course it might also have been something to do with
some added maturity, experience and a sprinkling of common sense so often lacking in youth!




A very rare photo of the Hi-Boy 325


 With the advent of the "325" and the "Miller Hi-Boy", well we just HAVE TO HAVE one of those.
MISTAKE, I could not ride the thing for love or money. Sure it was powerful, but sounded like it
was about to fall apart and rattled like a 2 year old worn campaigner. It looked wonderful with
the bright nickel frame, extra ground clearance, the one piece solid alloy bash plate and the
distinctive green and white tank. All that glitters is not Gold, and the Hi-Boy frame had that extra
footrest height which constantly proved a problem on big drops and very tight turns.
Strangely enough I had a similar experience for the first 8 months of this year while trying to
relearn how to ride the Tiger Cub. It too had a fascinating habit of allowing me to inspect the
front wheel spindle while in the section and after 4 "A over T's" Brenda noticed my stance was
"off" and so putting 2 and now "4" together the SM footrests are now 2 inches back and Down!

 We learn , but painfully slowly.



TONY DOWN


 One month in , 60 articles in the bag! 
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