Bultaco Motorcycles
Bultaco Motorcycles are synonymous with Trials, MX and Road Race competition machines. Indeed, the company was formed after Bultaco founder Francisco Xavier Bulto had a dispute with his colleagues at Montesa, Pedro Permanyer, about the company withdrawing from racing–Señor Bulto being a firm believer that competition success led to street bike sales.
After leaving Montesa, Señor Bulto decided to start a motorcycle manufacturing company of his own.
With encouragement from some of his colleagues at Montesa, Bultó set about getting a license to operate, something that was difficult at the time due to the political climate in Spain.
Although getting a license in his own right proved impossible at the time, he did manage to enlist the help of construction company Aleu who agreed to get a license on his behalf in exchange for a contract supplying the new company with racks.
Bultaco is Launched
And so, in 1958 Motor Company SA (CEMOTO) with the trade name Bultaco was launched. The first motorcycle, the Tralla 101, was launched in March 1959.
Drawing on their previous knowledge of fast 2-strokes, the new Tralla was the fastest 125-cc machine available at the time. A competition (or sports) kit was also made available for the bike.
Famous Machines
In 1960, a model that would launch the company onto the international motorcycle racing stage with great success was introduced as the 125-cc TSS--a racer version of the Tralla. Also introduced in the 60s was another famous machine from Bultaco: the Sherpa trials bike.
With legendary British rider Sammy Miller riding, the company went on to win world trials championships and the grueling Scottish Six Days Trial (the first win by a non-British bike).
In MX Bultaco had the Pursang, a bike that performed well on the world stage in Grand Prix with Harry Everts and Jim Pomeroy (the first American to win a MX G.P.).
Famous Riders
Over the years Bultaco has supplied machines for some of the greatest riders in G.P. history, including famous English rider Barry Sheene (125-cc bikes), and Spanish legend Angel Nieto (50-cc and 125-cc GP bikes). Bultaco won four world 50-cc titles and finished 2ndtwice in the 125-cc class.
As with many of the European manufacturers, the onslaught of Japanese machines in every street bike capacity and eventually road racing and MX overwhelmed their products. Many of the companies were reluctant to change their manufacturing practices, which had become outdated, and inevitably were forced to close. And so it was with Bultaco. The factory closed in 1979.
Francisco Xavier Bultó died on August 5, 1998, at age 86.
After leaving Montesa, Señor Bulto decided to start a motorcycle manufacturing company of his own.
With encouragement from some of his colleagues at Montesa, Bultó set about getting a license to operate, something that was difficult at the time due to the political climate in Spain.
Although getting a license in his own right proved impossible at the time, he did manage to enlist the help of construction company Aleu who agreed to get a license on his behalf in exchange for a contract supplying the new company with racks.
Bultaco is Launched
And so, in 1958 Motor Company SA (CEMOTO) with the trade name Bultaco was launched. The first motorcycle, the Tralla 101, was launched in March 1959.
Drawing on their previous knowledge of fast 2-strokes, the new Tralla was the fastest 125-cc machine available at the time. A competition (or sports) kit was also made available for the bike.
Famous Machines
In 1960, a model that would launch the company onto the international motorcycle racing stage with great success was introduced as the 125-cc TSS--a racer version of the Tralla. Also introduced in the 60s was another famous machine from Bultaco: the Sherpa trials bike.
With legendary British rider Sammy Miller riding, the company went on to win world trials championships and the grueling Scottish Six Days Trial (the first win by a non-British bike).
In MX Bultaco had the Pursang, a bike that performed well on the world stage in Grand Prix with Harry Everts and Jim Pomeroy (the first American to win a MX G.P.).
Famous Riders
Over the years Bultaco has supplied machines for some of the greatest riders in G.P. history, including famous English rider Barry Sheene (125-cc bikes), and Spanish legend Angel Nieto (50-cc and 125-cc GP bikes). Bultaco won four world 50-cc titles and finished 2ndtwice in the 125-cc class.
As with many of the European manufacturers, the onslaught of Japanese machines in every street bike capacity and eventually road racing and MX overwhelmed their products. Many of the companies were reluctant to change their manufacturing practices, which had become outdated, and inevitably were forced to close. And so it was with Bultaco. The factory closed in 1979.
Francisco Xavier Bultó died on August 5, 1998, at age 86.
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