Bultaco

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. Bultó asked to be buried "with his Bultaco t-shirt and his moustache properly waxed".

The origin of the Bultaco motorcyle company dates back to May of 1958. Francisco "Paco" Bultó was director of Montesa motorcycle company founded in 1946. Montesa had enjoyed many years of road racing victories with Paco Bultó being the driving force behind that success. Although that racing success fueled enthusiasm within the racing community it was also seen as a huge cost that outweighed the benefit. When Montesa's board of directors decided to abandon racing Paco Bultó decided to leave the company and the legend of The Bultaco Hunter was born. An exodus of employees from Montesa joined Paco Bultó and began the plans for a new Spanish motorcycle company. Setting up shop in an old farmhouse on Paco's property things developed quickly and in February 1959 Bultaco held its first press day. Just two months later Bultaco entered its first Spanish Grand Prix taking seven of the first ten places.

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 señor Bultó 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. In later models this was expanded to 125cc, 360cc and 370cc Other models, such as the Sherpa T (trials), the Astro (flat tracker) and the Matador (trail bike), provided more targeted approaches to specific types of races. Early 70's Pursangs are prized by collectors of vintage motocross bikes.

Bultaco motorcycles were mainly powered by single-cylinder, air cooled, two stroke engines but they also made water cooled versions. 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.

Due to industrial unrest and market pressures, Bultaco production closed in 1979. The factory reopened in 1980, but closed angain in 1983.

In 1998, Bultaco hit the motorcycle scene once again with the Sherco, 250 trials bike and even after a 20 year absence thay can still make an impact.

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.