Taco Tuesday: 1966 Bultaco Matador Mk2

One of the consequences of vehicles becoming so valuable that they become art is that if you used them for their primary purpose, you’d diminish their value.  This bike is beautifully turned out and is probably better than it was when it left Spain over 50 years ago.  However if you were to get it to run and rode it down some single track, you’d probably be out half of the asking price.  Sad, really.   Find this 1966 Bultaco Matador Mk2 Model 16 for sale in Olympia, WA for $7,950 via craigslist.

The Matador was an Enduro bike, or in today’s language, a dual sport.  Enduro’s were meant to be used both on and off road, so you got (some) suspension travel and intermediate tires.  This Matador doesn’t run (correction!) does run well at the moment, but is lacking a title per the seller to be street legal.  When you get it to start, you will be propelled forward by a 250cc air-cooled two stroke with distinctive cooling fins on its head.  The engine is said to have been fully rebuilt and has an hour of running time on it.

The tank has been professionally painted with pin striping and new decals.  It has also been treated with tank sealer inside.

The seller’s ad lists all the work done and numerous parts replaced:

All chrome parts were replated.

New fenders

Seat professionally recovered 

Frame blasted and painted 

Tank stripped, inside treated with Csawell, repainted and new decals

New wheels bearings

Steering head bearings upgraded to tapered roller bearings

New side panels

New upgraded carburetor (original carb included)

All new cables 

New throttle 

New grips

New levers and Bultaco covers

New speedometer 

New headlight 

New tires and tubes

New Betor shocks

Forks rebuilt 

Engine cases polished 

Most bolts replaced with new Bultaco branded bolts 

Complete original tool kit

Original owners manual (missing the first page)

To much more to mention.

Will come with a box of spares. 

I have a transferable registration and it is about 1 year into the 3 year title process. 

This bike needs the wiring completed to be street legal. All the wires have been pulled in with new correct colors and come together under the air box. Someone with more skill at wiring shouldn’t have any problem finishing this. 

See a tastier Taco for a Tuesday? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com

Gianni is Daily Turismo’s Pacific Northwest correspondent.