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 perfect balance of power and handling. In 1966 Bultaco upped the size of the motor and updated the frame to improve the line. Sometime around 1970 the decision was made to drop the road lines to concentrate on the seriously growing dirt side of the company and the Metralla was no more. Bultaco did reintroduce the Metralla name in ‘75 with the Metralla GT but compared to the original it was fat and slow.
The 1969 Bultaco Metralla featured a 244 CC air cooled single cylinder motor that made 27 HP paired with a 5 speed transmission and a total weight of 235 LBS. The suspension, frame and brakes were considered best in class at the time.
This particular 1969 Bultaco Metralla Model 23 (VIN# 2302854) is in Boise, Idaho and is listed as a ‘no expense spared restoration’. The listing has an impressive list of work done and parts installed in this bike. The bike is currently bid at $531.12 with reserve not met
Sources:
Wikipedia
Trade Motorcycles
Italian Wikipedia
Motorcycle Classics