Bultaco

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Bultaco was a Spanish manufacturer of two-stroke single cylinder motorcycles from 1958 to 1983. Although they made road and road racing motorcycles, their area of dominance was off-road, in motocross (also historically known as "Scrambling), enduros, and observed trials competition. MotoGP star, Sete Gibernau is the grandson of the founder of Bultaco, Paco Bultó, one of the most important businessmen in Spain throughout the last century. Legend has it that Mr. Bulto asked to be buried "with his Bultaco t-shirt and his moustache properly waxed".

Bultaco motorcycles undoubdtedly experienced their height and popularity in the 1970's, prior to the onslaught of Japanese manufactured cycles that ultimately mastered not only the production of powerful engines but also good handling -- previously the exclusive domain of European-manufactured brands. The Japanese brands, however (e.g. Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki) delivered these to American dealers at lower prices, leading to the demise of European brand dominance on American flat track, short track, and moto-cross races.

Perhaps the most famous Bultaco model is the Sherpa T, a trials bike, which revolutionised the sport in the 1960s. At that time trials was almost exclusively a British sport using big heavy four-stroke machines. Irish trials ace Sammy Miller worked with Signor Bulto to produce a lightweight two-stroke machine which, overnight, rendered the heavy four-strokes obsolete. This coincided with and, perhaps, stimulated the growth in the popularity of trials in Europe and later the USA, which provided a lucrative market for Bultaco in the years to come.

Bultaco's premier model in the USA, the Pursang, was an excellent handling and powerful 250 cc competition model that could readily compete in virtually any type of speed-based off-road competition. Other models, such as the Sherpa T, the Astro and the Matador, provided more targeted approaches to specific types of races.

Bultaco motorcycles were always powered by single-cylinder, air cooled, two cycle engines, and the rider was required to mix the oil and gas manually. Built in Barcelona, Spain, Bultaco motorcycles were exported throughout the world, but their largest market ultimately became the USA, allowing aspiring racers to purchase legitimately competitive motorcycles right out of the box.

Although the company finished its activities at the end of the 80's, the marque is still well known worldwide, and classic motorbike collectors and Racers are still demanding Bultacos as one of their more valued pieces.

UK Classic racing includes a pre-1974 class in which Bultacos are popular and competitive.