The ex-John Pearson, 1969 Bultaco 125cc TSS Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle

Frame no. B-600621 Engine no. 600621-6

• Regular Isle of Man TT competitor (1969-1973)
• 10th place in the 1971 IoM Lightweight 125 TT
• Rebuilt to in-period specification

Spurred on by the successes achieved by tuned versions of its first model, the Tralla 101, Bultaco went one stage further and developed its first purpose-built racing motorcycle: the legendary TSS, 125cc prototypes of which began testing in 1960. About as simple as a racing motorcycle can get, the air-cooled two-stroke single developed 20bhp initially, which proved sufficient to win races at national level worldwide and compete without embarrassment in Grands Prix, provided the rider had enough talent. It was demonstrably the best 125 that privateers could buy at the time. Self-generating electronic ignition, a six-speed gearbox, and water-cooling were the most significant advances, the latter arriving on customer bikes for 1965. Geared primary drive came later.

Among the first racers to campaign the Spanish two-strokes in the UK were Tommy Robb and Dan Shorey, the latter taking the coveted ACU Star (British Championship) in the 125cc class in 1961. Armed with a 196cc TSS, Shorey enjoyed a phenomenal run of success in the 1962 250cc World Championship, twice finishing 4th behind a trio of works Hondas to end the year in 7th place overall. He also took the British 125cc and 250cc Championships that same year.

This water-cooled (believed six-speed) Bultaco 125cc TSS M40 comes with extensive Isle of Man TT history. The Bultaco was purchased new in 1969 from Bill Smith Motors by John Pearson and its first race in 1969 was the Isle of Man Lightweight 125 TT, coming home in 13th place at an average speed of 76.68mph in an event won by Kawasaki-mounted Dave Simmonds. The Pearson/TSS combination would go on to compete in every Isle of Man TT until 1973 and is the last ever Bultaco to finish in the Lightweight TT. Pearson's best result in the Lightweight 125 TT was in 1971 when he brought the TSS home in a very impressive 10th place to gain one World Championship point. The Bultaco's only non-finish in five TTs was in 1970.

This matching-numbers machine has now been fully restored to its early 1970s specification and last ran earlier this year. The engine has been fully rebuilt (big-end, re-bore, piston, seals and gaskets); the radiator re-cored; and a new exhaust pipe obtained from the factory. A long-distance fuel tank and Fahron front brake (as used in period) are the only notified deviations from factory specification.