74 Pursang 250 -- reliable and not a bucking machine???

[Gippslander]

Hi, bit of advice needed, presently I have a 250 cz yellow tanker -- a bit worn out and in need of some serious work if I were to try and race it -- and I want to have a go at pre 75.

So am looking for a bike almost ready to race (no time  ) and "back then" I was slow C grader so I still probably wouldn't know what a race winning bike is -- all I seek is reliability and predictable handleing.

There is a 74 Pursang 250 Mk 7 up for sale near me in East Gippsland -- looks ok (as they all do on Ebay)

So -- is the 74 Pursang mechanically reliable and a predictable handler (and as said I'm not a Flood brother).

[firko]

1974 was the best year for picking a competitive 250 in motocross history. Nearly every manufacturer produced extremely competitive bikes, each with its own 'special' quirk. The '74 Pursang is especially good, light and reliable. The only major downside that I consider important enough to influence purchase is the right foot gear change (which can easily be converted using later Bultaco parts). 

[Stan S]

Hi Gipplander, I am probably a little bit biased towards the Bully's cause i had a new 125 and 250 mk7's in 1974 and a new 250 and 360 mk8's in 1975. I currently also have a 360 mk7(ish) and a 125 mk8. The mk7 250 is a fantastic bike to ride. They are very light and easy to throw around and really good tractable power for a 250 and very reliable if set up right. They were one of the first brand 250's to claim 40 hp. They are also one of the easiest bikes to still get parts for. Peter from Bultaco parts can help with nearly everything you need.
Now the down sides are as Firko has said, right hand gear change (easily changed with a bit of work) brakes (are easy fixed) gearbox can have more neutrals than you would like (but you learn to live with it, and also fixable) Clutch will drag (unless set it up right) and these days the suspension can be set up much better than when they were new, Walter (wasp on the forum) can help with some good fork bits and also great shocks.
All in all I think they are a great bike.

Regards Stan.


 

[jimg1au]

whats wrong with your yellow tanker you can get all parts to rebuild the whole bike.i have just rebuilt my yellow tanker 400 very eaisy to do only need abot 4 special tools and the job is done
jim

[Big John]

Have a chat to Peter Schoene (Bultaco parts Australia). He is an expert on Bultaco's and he is a local, over at Cowwar/Toongabbie. He has helped me out a few times with my Montesa and Ossa. I do agree with Jim though, get the CZ up to speed. One thing Iv'e worked out is only have one project at a time otherwise nothing seems to get finised.

[FDR]

Gippslander and anyone else interested in the 250 Bulty on e-bay.
Get engine and frames numbers to confirm, forks are non standard offset version.
FDR

[Mick D]

He has the vin prefix listed as  117. That makes it a 73 to 75 125cc frame in my book It would be interesting to see what the engine number is.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE

[Mick D]

I have a slimline sherpa "T". I was dissapionted when I realised it has a Alpina motor in it, instead of matching numbers.

But old Donny Newell gave me a better way to look at it, He said "Aahhh, what you got there son is a Hybrid"

I like Don Newel, a good bloke I reckon.

[JC]

117 model is 74 Mk7 125 pursang. Same frame as 120 model 250 Mk7.

Looks like 74 swingarm to me. It was 75 Mk8s that had the bottom shock moved forward

If its a 117 bottom end, the 250 top end goes straight on. Std 117 (125) top end had the old style round 9-fin barrell. Looks like 6-fin 250 barrel on it to me

117 bottom end had closer ratio gears (1st - 3rd), diff primary reduction (geared down more) & smaller dia crank which is balanced differently to 250, so may well vibrate a bit w 250 top-end. It would be worth checking.

Forklegs look like Alpina in std pursang/alpina clamps. That setup is fine for an Alpina but would have too much offset for my liking for a pursang. It reduces the self-centring effect which may well cause headshake in the rough. It also moves the front wheel noticeably forward, changing the weight distribution & wheelbase & would probably cause front end washout (you don't have as much weight over the front wheel). But its easily fixed if you can find some pursang/frontera sliders.

I agree w others above. A well set up Mk7 250 is a beautiful bike to ride. As good as anything in the class. Being very light & 'flickable' & w beautiful powerband, they explode out of corners like a scalded cat. They're very easy to ride & don't tire you like other heavier bikes.

[TooFastTim]

Looks like 74 swingarm to me. It was 75 Mk8s that had the bottom shock moved forward

Thats what I thought.

[huskibul]

   While were on the subject are there any barrel/porting differences between mk5/6 and mk7/8,and what year did they go to left hand change?

[mick25]

I did some gyprocking work for a guy yesterday and today ..found out he had bully as above that jim pomroy rode when he was here last
he told me it had yz electrics ported polished  jim said it was the fasted 1974 250 he rode I have to say they look nice

[Moto]

   I know why there is no engine number.If you look very closely at the left hand sidecover and cases it looks very much like a Matador MK5 SD. Model 107 which when complete had an enclosed chain,not exactly a Mk 7 Pursang.
    Its an expensive Hybrid. !!!!

[Mick D]

   I know why there is no engine number.If you look very closely at the left hand sidecover and cases it looks very much like a Matador MK5 SD. Model 107 which when complete had an enclosed chain,not exactly a Mk 7 Pursang.
    Its an expensive Hybrid. !!!!

Good spotting Moto, I kept looking at that, knew it didn't look right but the penny wouldn't drop
The plot thickens

[Gippslander]

Yep, rang the ebay owner -- it is a Matador motor in a 125 Pursang frame -- it was the first thing he said to me so he's not trying to sell a Pursang when it's not, he was upfront about the bike and what it is and what's been done and what could still be done, anyway as a hybrid not what I'm looking for, will keep lookin...