Author Topic: 1971 Bultaco Alpina 250 (Read 4980 times)

Bob3050 · « **on:** May 30, 2018, 09:27:32 AM »

I picked up this Alpina last week. The motor is stuck, lots of surface rust, no lights, plastic fenders ( Preston Petty) and more. I'm not sure how I'm going to proceed yet because I have no papers on it and here in California that can be a real pain in the gazorch. We will see how it goes but I'm really hoping to be able to do something with it.
Bob

754 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2018, 08:32:35 PM »

I have a 70 or 71 Matador, hope it is still where I left it..

jgger · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2018, 08:35:26 PM »

I probably have an old Amal side float carb laying around somewhere.

MoMo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2018, 08:59:59 PM »

Awesome score. I worked in a Bultaco/Honda shop back in the early 70's. Very simple bikes to work on, very few special tools needed. Larry

Bob3050 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2018, 03:33:29 PM »

I put a couple of shots of PB Blaster in the spark plug hole and then rocked it back and forth in fourth gear and it broke loose almost immediately. Then I kicked it through a few times and determined it had good compression and good spark. So next I cleaned the old gas out of the tank and carburetor and replaced it with a little fresh mix and it fired right up! It sounds really good and the clutch and transmission work fine. Now I have to get a title for it and then I can really go to work on it.
Bob

MoMo · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2018, 08:06:11 PM »

You're going to love that bike, makes for an excellent trail bike....Larry

scottly · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2018, 08:27:24 PM »

Did they even supply any DMV paperwork for off-road bikes in CA back then? I never bothered with titles on dirt bikes until I bought one new in '82, and by then CA had the "Green Sticker" program in place. Can't see how your 'taco could be licensed for the street anyway?
Awesome that you got lucky on the "stuck" motor!!

Bob3050 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2018, 01:14:13 PM »

Well I fought the battle of DMV and won! I am now the registered owner of one 1971 Bultaco Alpina 250. Right now it's in a non-op registration until I'm ready to put it on the road. So now I've started dis-assembly and it still seems to be in pretty good condition. It's going to need a lot of cleaning, buffing and paint and the replacement of some of the pieces but I think this is going to be a good project.
Bob

MoMo · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2018, 03:30:41 PM »

It looks as though the fenders are not dented or dinged, amazing if that's true...Larry

jgger · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2018, 03:46:50 PM »

It's pretty hard to dent those Preston Petty fenders. That is what I ended up with on both of my Montesas, it seems that the fiberglass or aluminum ones couldn't stand up to my "gravity challenged "riding style. I guess that is why they were so popular.

I do have to admit that the Spanish dirt bikes of that era did look the best!

jgger · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2018, 04:10:47 PM »

This is what my '72 250 looked like, spanking new. And my '69, also a 250. Boy-o-boy were they fun!

754 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2018, 07:05:34 AM »

One day at the dump, a fairly complete montesa wrinkly fin bike, mostly there. .
It hurt but I had to turn away, near impossible to get takeout there...fffffaaaaaccccckkkk!!

Bob3050 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2018, 02:54:25 PM »

Quote from: jgger on June 24, 2018, 03:46:50 PM

It's pretty hard to dent those Preston Petty fenders. That is what I ended up with on both of my Montesas, it seems that the fiberglass or aluminum ones couldn't stand up to my "gravity challenged "riding style. I guess that is why they were so popular.

I do have to admit that the Spanish dirt bikes of that era did look the best!

The aluminum original style fenders are available and I'm hoping I will be able to pick up a set. I also want to find an original speedo with the mount and the original style headlight and tail light. But first I need to clean and polish just about every part on the bike. Lot's of fun, I'm truly looking forward to it.
Bob

DickL · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2018, 03:17:27 PM »

Hogan Motorcycles of Agawam Mass bought the residual inventory when Bultaco closed.

DICKL

glenncal1 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2018, 03:41:32 PM »

In the past I have restored/renovated a few older Husky's. Once you find the parts trail for Bultaco I am sure you will be amazed by what is out there. Have fun with that one, there is or was a very similar bike for sale here in colorado.

https://cosprings.craigslist.org/mcy/d/73-bultaco-alpina-250/6616547455.html

MoMo · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2018, 06:00:42 PM »

Quote from: jgger on June 24, 2018, 03:46:50 PM

It's pretty hard to dent those Preston Petty fenders. That is what I ended up with on both of my Montesas, it seems that the fiberglass or aluminum ones couldn't stand up to my "gravity challenged "riding style. I guess that is why they were so popular.

I do have to admit that the Spanish dirt bikes of that era did look the best!

I thought they were the original aluminum, hard to tell with 7 decade eyes

jgger · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2018, 07:36:28 PM »

65 year old eyes here, but there is a trick involved here Larry. The original post said Preston petty fenders.

US old guys gotta use all the tricks we can!!!

Jim

jgger · « **Reply #17 on:** June 25, 2018, 07:44:52 PM »

Quote from: Bob3050 on June 25, 2018, 02:54:25 PM

Quote from: jgger on June 24, 2018, 03:46:50 PM
It's pretty hard to dent those Preston Petty fenders. That is what I ended up with on both of my Montesas, it seems that the fiberglass or aluminum ones couldn't stand up to my "gravity challenged "riding style. I guess that is why they were so popular.

I do have to admit that the Spanish dirt bikes of that era did look the best!
The aluminum original style fenders are available and I'm hoping I will be able to pick up a set. I also want to find an original speedo with the mount and the original style headlight and tail light. But first I need to clean and polish just about every part on the bike. Lot's of fun, I'm truly looking forward to it.
Bob

Same parts as the El Matador, aren't they?

754 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 25, 2018, 07:51:03 PM »

I have the aluminum ones for my Matador, but I thinknthey got chromed and have detriorated.

MoMo · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2018, 04:31:38 AM »

Quote from: jgger on June 25, 2018, 07:36:28 PM

65 year old eyes here, but there is a trick involved here Larry. The original post said Preston petty fenders.

US old guys gotta use all the tricks we can!!!

Jim

Damn, now I just have to learn to read. Oh well, maybe another 70 and that'll happen

Bob3050 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2019, 09:15:50 AM »

I haven't posted any progress reports on my little Bultaco in quite awhile, but I have been working on it. It's almost ready to go now with the exception of painting the tank/seat combo and that's in the works right now. Here's a couple of pics to show I've actually done something with it.
Bob

MoMo · « **Reply #21 on:** April 23, 2019, 09:14:47 PM »

Very nice Bob, are you going with the original blue color?...Larry

jgger · « **Reply #22 on:** April 23, 2019, 09:58:45 PM »

Coming along nice! Makes me kinda miss my old Spanish whore............that's what my friend used to call my Montesa.

Bob3050 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 24, 2019, 03:21:55 PM »

Quote from: MoMo on April 23, 2019, 09:14:47 PM

Very nice Bob, are you going with the original blue color?...Larry

Yes, I'm painting it the original blue and silver that it was. Underneath the seat the original paint is in excellent condition so I had a local custom color outfit match the two colors. I had this same guy match paint for my XR750 Harley and he did a great job so I'm hoping this will turn out good as well.
Bob

MoMo · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2019, 05:36:23 AM »

Quote from: jgger on April 23, 2019, 09:58:45 PM

Coming along nice! Makes me kinda miss my old Spanish whore............that's what my friend used to call my Montesa.

I had a Montesa LaCross back in the day, never heard that phrase but it certainly fits....Larry

Bob3050 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2019, 05:46:41 PM »

Well, here it is with the paint rubbed and all ready to go. I'm really happy with the way this little bike turned out. I do think I'm going to look into a slight raise in the gearing as it is just a little bit too low. Also the petcock I have does not have the stand pipe set-up that it needs for the reserve to work. Other than those things the only other thing left on the project is to install some sort of a speedometer. It definitely is a fun bike to ride.
Bob

jgger · « **Reply #26 on:** May 04, 2019, 08:11:38 PM »

Beautiful job, you should be proud of that one.......it makes me jealous.

If the petcock is only missing the brass tube, you can get small brass tubes at Hobby Lobby if there is one close to you.

jgger · « **Reply #27 on:** May 04, 2019, 08:15:31 PM »

I never realized that the kicker is on the left like the old Huskys. I think the Persang had it on the proper side, go figure.

MoMo · « **Reply #28 on:** May 04, 2019, 10:52:59 PM »

Quote from: jgger on May 04, 2019, 08:15:31 PM

I never realized that the kicker is on the left lik
the old Huskys. I think the Persang had it on the proper side, go figure.

I think all Spanish bikes had left side kicker, at least al mine did.

FANTASTIC JOB on the Alpina. They were fun bikes, I am jealous too....Larry

jgger · « **Reply #29 on:** May 04, 2019, 11:59:03 PM »

Neither one of the 2 Montesas that I had did. From my early 70's desert racing the only ones I remember was the Huskys being that way. I'm almost sure that Bultaco full on race bikes (Persang) were on the right..............but that was a long time ago.

MoMo · « **Reply #30 on:** May 05, 2019, 06:54:31 AM »

Quote from: jgger on May 04, 2019, 11:59:03 PM

Neither one of the 2 Montesas that I had did. From my early 70's desert racing the only ones I remember was the Huskys being that way. I'm almost sure that Bultaco full on race bikes (Persang) were on the right..............but that was a long time ago.

My memory is also a shade on the fuzzy side, after all it has been more than 40 years since I've owned a Spanish bike, had Ossa, Bultaco, Montessa

Bob3050 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 06, 2019, 04:08:47 PM »

Back in the sixties I had a Rickman Metisse Pursang and it had the kicker on the left like my Alpina. My buddy had a Bultaco El Bandido and his kicker was on the right.
Bob

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Author Topic: 1971 Bultaco Alpina 250 (Read 4980 times)