Page 12 - Bultaco - Masia de San Antonio tour
I asked Ignacio why he didn't buy the engine from Francisco Villa that was used in the GasGas and many other motorcycles. Ignacio explained that both of the engines weighed the same and that he had a very good working relationship with the Cagiva brothers. He said they were crazy but very good people.
Bultaco - Masia de San Antonio tour WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
I know these bikes very well and it is clear to me that this is a very different swinging arm.
Bultaco - Masia de San Antonio tour WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
The engine is the same but the clutch has been changed and some Honda parts adapted to fit to improve the feel and bite.The sump guard has many holes cut out of it.
Bultaco - Masia de San Antonio tour WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Several Alsation guard dogs roam the grounds unrestricted. They are terrifying. One charged at me flat out while the others bared their teeth. It then bit my stomach and then snarled its teeth at me threateningly. They were called off, by Ignacio, otherwise I'd still be frozen still, surrounded by them. They don't like strangers and do their job well.
It's ok, the surgery procedure was short ;)
It's ok, the surgery procedure was short ;)
Bultaco - Masia de San Antonio tour WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
I explained to Ignacio that I am in touch with Eddy and his wife Dominique. He then went on to say that Merlin was such a small company and that he had come from the big big Honda HRC and it would have been a big change for him. When he came to Merlin he must have been surprised as we were much smaller and not able to do everything as easily and supply all of the parts and the adjustments that he wanted as quickly as he wanted.
the bultaco camp bunk rooms and cellars
After Ignacio had showed us around the workshops, he then showed us around the detached old vineyard building that has a real surprise.
Bultaco - Masia de San Antonio tour WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
As soon as I walked in through the door these 2 photos were on the wall.
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The photo on the left hand side is of a 9 year old Ignacio riding his trials bike at San Antonio. He was riding a 75cc Mimsa. Close friend, Daniel Gonsalez made the bike and he was the distributer of Bultaco in Villanova, a town nearby (Also the location of the first Merlin factory). The bike below was created from a 125 TSS Bultaco frame as it was very low. They started with a Ducson engine with only 3 gears but this was terrible as it was only 50cc. Then the Mimsa 4 speed engine was installed.
Bultaco - Masia de San Antonio tour WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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The photo on the right is a nice picture of one of the ten annual trials of San Antonio that took place. You can see Paco Bulto with his wife and Ignacio's mother next to him with the head scarf.
Bultaco - Masia de San Antonio tour WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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