If you are at all familiar with Trials, then you are certainly familiar with the name Montesa. Montesa is a Spanish company that has been around since 1944. Formed by Pedro Permanyer and Francisco Bulto, they flourished from the 50’s through the 70’s making small-displacement bikes for the postwar market. They produced numerous road-going models, most notably the Brio and …
Restored – 1974 Ossa Phantom 250
Post Listing Update: This Phantom did not get any interest at the asking price of $3,450. When Honda debuted the CR250M (known as the Elsinore in the US), it was an instant classic and a terrifying prospect for manufacturers focused on two-stroke off-roaders like Penton, Hodaka, and Bultaco. OSSA also felt threatened by Honda’s new development, and they countered with …
1964 Montesa Diablo Cross 175
12-7-17 Update: Over a year later, this rare Montesa is back up for sale. I still can’t find good information on it though reader yrrah added some info in the comments below. It’s got a $1,100 discount over last year’s asking price but that still means the seller is looking for an opening bid of $5,500 here on eBay. The …
1968 Bultaco Metralla
Post Sale Update: This Metralla sold for $6,100 after 46 bids on eBay. One of the definitive Spanish street bikes of all time, the Bultaco Metralla (Spanish for “shrapnel”) was appropriately named as it when it was the world’s fastest production 2-stroke bike when it debuted. In the seller’s words, this example “is the culmination of 7 years of work …
1976 Montesa Cota 348
Montesa developed a prototype of the Cota 348 to compete in the 1975 Scottish Six Days Trial, and Malcolm Rathmell rode it to a second place finish. Rathmell was an accomplished trials rider who won the World Championship in 1974 and the British Trials Championship 6 times in a 10 year period, and the 348 was developed with him as …
Rare in the US – 2017 Bultaco Brinco RE
Bultaco stopped producing bikes in 1983, though they had a brief revival in 1998 when Sherco (a combination of Sherpa and Bultaco) used the name for a couple of years. The firm was best known for their two-stroke off-roaders and even the occasional road bike like the Metralla. So when the company was revived in 2015, it was a bit …
Recently Restored – 1968 Bultaco Metralla Mk2
Post Listing Update: Despite 4 bids on eBay up to $5,300, this Metralla did not meet reserve. When it was released, the Metralla Mk2 was the fastest two-stroke motorcycle you could buy. It held that title for a short time – you should check out Mat Oxley’s book Stealing Speed to learn why two-stroke development was at a fever pitch …
Restored – 1970 Bultaco El Bandido Mk2
Post Listing Update: This Bultaco did not meet reserve despite 10 bids up to $5,651.88. In 1967, Bultaco introduced their first open class bike and gave it one of the best names and logos in the business. It was called the El Bandido (obviously, The Bandit), and it was available in scrambles and MX variants. The Mark 2 version was …
No Reserve – 1974 Ossa Phantom 250
Post Sale Update: After 5 bids on eBay, this Phantom sold for $3,050. By the early 70s, OSSA had established a dominant position in the off-road motorcycle market. But when Honda released the 250cc Elsinore, the Spanish firm was forced to respond with a strong competitor. The Phantom 250 met the mark, thanks to 33 horsepower and a weight of …
1965 Montesa Impala Sport 250
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Impala Sport sold for the BIN of $10,500. Montesa was formed in 1944 by Pedro Permanyer and Paco Bulto. After some significant success in racing and sales Bulto left the company (leading to the formation of Bultaco) in 1958. By 1960 Montesa had brought out it’s first Impala, a 175 CC. 1965 saw …
1965 Bultaco Metisse Pursang 250
Post Sale Update: This Metisse sold for $6,050 after 22 bids on eBay. By 1965 Bultaco had been building fast motorcycles for 8 years. They were a dominant force in the off road racing scene in Europe and introduced what would become their most popular American model in ‘65, the Pursang. There was a reason for the Pursang’s ‘instant hit’ …
1969 Bultaco Metralla
You just can’t deny that Paco Bulto was a passionate motorcycle guy. He loved building motorcycles and making the best he could. The Bultaco dirt bikes are just the stuff of legend, but the company built some terrific road machines, too. The Metralla started life as a 200 CC two stroke single in 1962 and was considered to have near …
1970 Montesa 247 Cota
I don’t know what it is about Trials bikes that make me want to hit the “Buy Now” prompt. I think it is just because they represent the essence of motorcycling. Two wheels, a simple engine, twist and go. This Montesa ticks those boxes…
1969 Bultaco Matador
About the ’69 Matador, Cycle World said it has the “uncanny ability to change its character from that of gentle trail plodder, to hard-charging racer, to graceful trails mount, to occasional ride-to-work tool.” This example is almost completely restored – just missing some “correct fasteners.”
1966 Bultaco Metralla Project Bike
Formed out of the wreckage of the Montesa racing program in 1958, Bultaco was a company organized around producing fast motorcycles. Though they would become best known for their off road products, Bultaco also built some fine street/race machines in their 25 year history. Introduced in 1962 the Metralla was quite possibly the fastest 2 stroke motorcycle on the planet …