Topic: Bultaco Astro.. anyone familiar..

[754]

Looks like I may be getting an Astro frame and forks, and swingarm.. missing the rest.

 May also be getting a Matador 250, which may end up in it. A bit underpowered maybe, but might be easier to learn on for vintage racing..
 Anyone ridden one or know much about the engines in astros?

[MoMo]

Ridden one as I used to work in a Bultaco/Honda/Husqvarna shop back in the early 70's. Actually, a very simple engine and you are right about the Matador as being underpowered. I think I still have some Bultaco special tools somewhere, pretty much all you need outside of the normal metric assortment is the flywheel puller and holder.  Restored Bulls in good condition command a fair size resale.  I'm presently checking out some old Jawa/Cz's-talk about underpowered!  Best wishes with your project , Larry

[bill440cars]

Ridden one as I used to work in a Bultaco/Honda/Husqvarna shop back in the early 70's. Actually, a very simple engine and you are right about the Matador as being underpowered. I think I still have some Bultaco special tools somewhere, pretty much all you need outside of the normal metric assortment is the flywheel puller and holder.  Restored Bulls in good condition command a fair size resale.  I'm presently checking out some old Jawa/Cz's-talk about underpowered!  Best wishes with your project , Larry

      Yeah, the old Street Jawas were pretty underpowered, kinda like a 2 wheeled VW!

      But, IF you had the factory modification specs and info, you can make one of those old slugs run pretty good! Only thing I know about the Bultacos is, I know what they look like and never had ANY experience with them. I have an old 250 mid 60's Jawa and I have that info and specs for the Factory Mods. I can guarantee that the old Jawa runs better than ANY Jawa and can be pretty competitive with the older 2 strokes. Wouldn't there be info like that out there for the Bultacos? Just curious.   

[78 k550]

Astro's where more of a flat tracker.
Don't know much about the Astro though.
I have 6.

Paul

[cb650]

AKA  My beer holder.     

[754]

 The Astro was a purpose built flat-tracker, like an XR 750

 No brake on the front end from factory on the later ones. Sorta cool looking though the later ones..

[78 k550]

AKA  My beer holder.     

yea, a Fast holder. haha

Paul

[MoMo]

Bill,  I gave a deposit on the Jawa/CZ,  one is a 175 Street/Trail and the other is a 250 Enduro.  Both are complete and have titles.  If the mod sheets you have apply, I'd really appreciate the info,  Larry

[bill440cars]

Bill,  I gave a deposit on the Jawa/CZ,  one is a 175 Street/Trail and the other is a 250 Enduro.  Both are complete and have titles.  If the mod sheets you have apply, I'd really appreciate the info,  Larry

     Well, these are actually from the 60's though. Back then, the 125/175 had 2 exhaust ports as compared to the single port engine. And, the same goes for the 250. If I remember right, the 250 Enduro has a single exhaust port as well. I don't think it would help you with yours. BTW, I have a '74 175 that is in pretty bad shape, but I have a '73 CZ175 that seems to be in pretty god shape (didn't have a battery when I got it and now I have one, just need to get it serviced up, charged and see about getting the little 175 to going. When I get the chance (I have 2 days of training coming up with my job), I will see about scanning the sections and send them to you. I don't think it will do you any good, but who knows, maybe some variation might work.

[MoMo]

Thanks Bill,  I doubt it would be of any help, as mine are single port but any info could potentially be useful.  If you have the time I'd appreciate it. The 175 with the combo kick/shifter is a very strange setup.  When I get them to the shop I'll post  some pics, Larry

[bill440cars]

Thanks Bill,  I doubt it would be of any help, as mine are single port but any info could potentially be useful.  If you have the time I'd appreciate it. The 175 with the combo kick/shifter is a very strange setup.  When I get them to the shop I'll post  some pics, Larry

      Not a problem, presently I am having to go through so yearly recertification with my job, so it will be a few days. By the way, you are right about the gearshift/kick start and they've had that feature for years (since around the mid 1950's at least. AND, if you hadn't realized it, there is a mechanism under the right crankcase cover (and is mounted beside the generator over the end of the trans main shaft) that automatically operates the clutch, when you shift gears. In fact, IF you take your foot and hold up on the shift lever with the engine running, you can have it in gear and it won't go any where. BUT, if you have the engine running, are holding the shift lever up (with the bike in gear) and release the shift lever , you will leave out. With this feature, you can take off normally and then shift gears w/o ever touching the clutch lever. Just another weird feature of the Jawa/CZ bikes. I have some Jawa Manuals, but none any newer than around 1959 or maybe 1960.

   By the way Frank, I apologize for the Hijack. Was purely unintentional. 

[754]

It OK , maybe this is the EURO2STROKE Thread.
 I think I should pop up the tracker thread.. probably an Astro on there..

[tbpmusic]

Ridden one as I used to work in a Bultaco/Honda/Husqvarna shop back in the early 70's. Actually, a very simple engine and you are right about the Matador as being underpowered. I think I still have some Bultaco special tools somewhere, pretty much all you need outside of the normal metric assortment is the flywheel puller and holder.  Restored Bulls in good condition command a fair size resale.  I'm presently checking out some old Jawa/Cz's-talk about underpowered!  Best wishes with your project , Larry

Yuk, yuk - me too.

Don't forget about the dial indicator you'll need to set the timing on those old Tacos... 

[scottly]

The Astro was a purpose built flat-tracker, like an XR 750

 No brake on the front end from factory on the later ones. Sorta cool looking though the later ones..

My sister's boyfriend had a 125CC Bultaco flat-tracker in the early '70s. I rode it once; it had a power band like a light switch. One second it was blubbering and farting, and the next it was stretching your arms off! Were the Astros 125s?

[MoMo]

If my memory serves me well(sometimes it actually does) it was a 250 and had a power band similar to the 125 I think Pursang you rode.  Larry

[scottly]

Pursang sounds very familiar...

[754]

 poorthang... thats what you mean..

 I coulda swore my buddy (no longer with us), said the 125 Bultaco he raced in motocross was really a flattracker. but cant seem to fInd anything about a 125 Astro..

 Seems to me tho Bultaco made a 125 with around 21 hp in the 70s around 3hp per cu inch.. higher than Indy cars back then..

[scottly]

 Seems to me tho Bultaco made a 125 with around 21 hp in the 70s around 3hp per cu inch.. higher than Indy cars back then..

I do recall Lee claiming his 125 made over 20 HP. It was pretty impressive at the time. His bike had a relatively long wheel-base compared to other Bultacos of the day. 

[78 k550]

my 167 250 Pursang says well cant find it now like 35 or 37.5 hp

Paul