After taking note that many Sherpa T owners were using their Trials bikes for all day treks through the woods and mountains, in 1971 Bultaco Motorcycles decided to make a bike that was more suited to the task. They started with the Sherpa T frame and engine, added a larger tank and seat, and changed the gearing for trail and road riding. Thus, the Bultaco Alpina was born. Today, these can be easily converted into worthy Trials machines.
I purchased one of the first models of Alpina when I was in Barcelona, Spain, courtesy of the U.S, Navy in 1971. At first, I competed in local Enduros on it until I was bitten by the Trials bug. After fitting it with a larger rear sprocket, I tried my hand at Trials at a few Baltimore Ramblers events in 1973. I still have this bike, but most recently stole quite a few parts from it for my last project, turning a Sherpa S into a Sherpa T. A recent purchase included the parts Alpina seen in the photo below, and so a new project was born. Finally, after months instead of weeks, I have managed to "finish" the Alpina, at least to the point where it looks pretty good as a "rider", certainly not a museum piece, and it functions just as a "slimline" Sherpa T from the early seventies. The finished bike is shown on another page. Click Here
I had most of two Model 85s to work with. Here, the bike is mostly put together, still wearing the Alpina tank/seat. I haven't taken off the plastic bags over the fenders yet. Everyone knows that white attracts grease. What I am shooting for is a bike that will look and function like this Model 80 Sherpa T pictured below.
Okay, so we're on our way. This bike looks a little grungy next to the Model 80. I'll blame it on the overcast sky when the photo was taken. The after-market tank has a slightly different gas cap, and the paint is not perfect yet, but this is meant to be a fun, practise bike, so we'll keep going.
Everything you can see here is as the Model 80 Sherpa T. I've used the early M 85 frame that has the bolt on foot pegs. The numbers match with the engine, and the other frame had a slightly crooked neck.
One change I made was to the pull of the front brake lever. Bultaco made the change of pulling from the back, to the front in later models. In recent years I've noticed that as the shoes wear, the lever is less likely to get hung up with this change when the brakes are applied hard. Sammy Miller provides the fender brackets. I'll need a longer brake cable if I'm to get maximum leverage from the lever.
The 54 tooth sprocket is used and will be replaced in time. I might go to a 56 tooth to help lower 2nd gear just a tad. First gear is good with these sprockets when paired with an eleven tooth front. Part way through M 85 production, the swing arm was changed to use a larger axle and to replace the front facing chan tensioner with a rear facing one. I've used the later swing arm here on the earlier frame. Swing arm also now uses an adjustable oiler for the chain. I doubt I will use it, but its there, just in case. Red Wing shocks were "lying around" and will need to be replaced.
Amal 27mm carb is shared by the Alpina and the Sherpa T. Kick starter has seen better times, but a fresh coat of silver (or stainless steel) paint and a ball bearing for the pivot should have it almost as good as new. Note eleven tooth sprocket. Obviously I still have some cleaning to do in that area. All in time. As you can see from the photo below, there is still work to be done. I'll have an update in the near future.
