The Dale Winfield Motorcycle Collection, c.1965 Bultaco 125cc TSS Racing Motorcycle

• The best privateer 125 racer of its day
• An older restoration
• Requires recommissioning

"Since the first TSS 125s were produced, a few select, experienced riders have ridden machines incorporating the latest design innovations, but as soon as these changes proved to be a benefit without sacrificing safety, they have been passed on to the private owner. Generally, they were things of a bolt-on nature, and an individual anywhere in the world could simply add a part to his machine and have performance equal to that of the very latest racers from the factory." - Cycle World, November 1st 1966.

Spurred on by the racing 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 (Tralla Super Sport), 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 is an older restoration, clearly repainted but retaining its believed original seat upholstery and tank strap. Other notable features include a Smiths 12,000rpm rev counter, alloy wheel rims and Gardner flat-slide carburettor. Offered with a single 'as purchased' image only. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning or possibly more extensive restoration before returning to the racetrack and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Key not required.