Skip to main content

LOT 43

1974 Bultaco 325cc Sherpa Trials Motorcycle Registration no. XGU 834M Frame no. JB-12500122 Engine no. JM-12500122

Sold for £2,760 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 43

1974 Bultaco 325cc Sherpa Trials Motorcycle

1974 Bultaco 325cc Sherpa Trials Motorcycle
Registration no. XGU 834M
Frame no. JB-12500122
Engine no. JM-12500122

There had been outright victories by lightweights in major trials events before, but it was the arrival of the Bultaco Sherpa in the mid-1960s that drove the final nail into the coffin of the heavyweight four-strokes in national and international trials. Bultaco's meteoric rise to supremacy would surely have taken much longer had the Spanish manufacturer not had the foresight to recruit the world's greatest trials rider, Sammy Miller, to spearhead development. Bultaco already possessed enormous experience of building competition two-strokes for road racing and moto-cross, and a 250cc single-cylinder 'stroker' was the natural choice for the new Sherpa trials model that made its debut at Earls Court in the autumn of 1964. By Christmas Miller had chalked up his first victory; the rest is history.

The particular Sherpa appears to have been well restored at some stage, including a repaint, as indicated by the overpainted frame number; however, no supporting documentation relating to the restoration is on file.

It should be noted that the V5C Registration Certificate records the engine number prefix as 'JB', matching the frame prefix, whereas the engine itself is stamped with a 'JM' prefix. Likewise, the 2018 Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum & Trust dating letter on file (which identifies the machine as a 1974 model) also records the engine prefix as 'JB' rather than 'JM'. The aforementioned V5C states: 'Was first registered and/or used. Declared manufactured 1974.' The date of first registration in the UK is recorded as 1st July 2018, and accompanying 2018 DVLA registration correspondence is included. The machine's early history is unknown.

The Bultaco has been ridden regularly on the private vendor's estate and was last started last summer. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.

Footnotes

BUYER'S PREMIUM
The Buyer's Premium for this Lot is 15%+VAT on the first £500k of the Hammer Price, and 12%+VAT on the balance thereafter.

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS
Please see the 'CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS' at the top of the main sale page (Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale) for all pertinent information regarding bidder's obligations, viewing, bidding, payment, post-sale collection & transportation.

REQUEST A TRANSPORT QUOTE
To request a UK or European Motorcycle shipping quote visit Moving Motorcycles.
To request an International Motorcycle shipping quote visit Shippio.
To request a Memorabilia and Spares shipping quote visit Mail Boxes Etc - Milton Keynes.

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

  • 10 June 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 11 June 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

Bid now on these items

1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
1982 Yamaha XS650
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1982 Yamaha XS650

£1,800 - £2,400
1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle

£2,000 - £3,000
1978 Yamaha XS650 Special
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Yamaha XS650 Special

£1,800 - £2,400
1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,

£2,000 - £3,000
c.1965 Yamaha 305 YM1
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1965 Yamaha 305 YM1

£1,800 - £2,400
1972 Ducati 350 Mk3
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1972 Ducati 350 Mk3

£2,000 - £5,000
1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI

£2,000 - £3,000
1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'

£2,000 - £4,000
1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach III
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach III

£3,000 - £5,000
1976 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
Triumph 5T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 5T

£3,000 - £4,000
Triumph Tiger 100
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph Tiger 100

£3,000 - £4,000
1971 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1971 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
Triumph 6T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 6T

£3,000 - £4,000
1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah

£2,400 - £3,400
Triumph 6T
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph 6T

£3,000 - £4,000
A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,
United Kingdom

A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,

£2,000 - £3,000
A wicker-cased picnic set for four persons by G.W.Scott & Sons, circa 1905,
United Kingdom

A wicker-cased picnic set for four persons by G.W.Scott & Sons, circa 1905,

£1,800 - £2,400
A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,
United Kingdom

A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,

£1,800 - £2,400
A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,
United Kingdom

A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,

£2,000 - £3,000
A 48 inch Ordinary bicycle by Samuel Leek of Walsall, circa 1880,
United Kingdom

A 48 inch Ordinary bicycle by Samuel Leek of Walsall, circa 1880,

£2,000 - £3,000
A 48inch Ordinary bicycle, circa 1879,
United Kingdom

A 48inch Ordinary bicycle, circa 1879,

£2,000 - £2,500