Considering the massive impact Bultaco's seminal Sherpa models had on the trials scene in the 60s, it's slightly surprising how few early examples of the marque turn up on the twinshock trials scene.
But, times change and an early Bultaco isn't quite as forgiving in the sections as a Fantic or Majesty - that's progress. Luckily though, having the most competitive bike isn't the be all and end all for some enthusiasts and John Cane (proprietor of TY Yam specialists, Trail and Trials UK) and Mark Greenslade are just two who can appreciate early twinshock bikes for what they are, rather than just what they can do.

John's 1967 Model 27 packs a bit of history - both within his family and in the greater scheme of things. Fifteen times Irish trials champion Benny Crawford won four of his record-breaking tally of titles on the bike between 1967 and 1970, for a start and then there's the fact that the bike has belonged to Peter Entwistle - who just happens to be the father of John's partner Sonia - since the mid-70s.

Top Belfast rider Benny bought the bike from Sandifords and registered it in Belfast on 9 November 1967. The matching engine and frame numbers - 2700091 - indicate that the bike was the 91st Sherpa trials model out of a run of 700 off the Barcelona production line that year, all of which are believed to have gone for export according to John's research. But even though that has fuelled demand for Model 27s back in Spain to near-manic levels, John assures me that his bike is most definitely not for sale.

John has tried to piece together the full history of the Crawford Bultaco - and with some success. Benny kept the bike until June 1971, when he traded it in at Sandifords. It hung around the showroom until Oldham rider Fred Hubball bought it the following month and he kept it for just short of two years before selling it on to Brian Chadwick from Heywood in May 1973. After that, there's a bit of a gap in John's researches, but Peter reckons he bought the bike around 1975. He rode it for a couple of seasons and then, with the bike getting increasingly uncompetitive in the face of the TY/Fantic invasion of the clubman trials scene and its consequent poor resale value, he consigned the old girl to the back of his garage for the next 20 years.

Now, John's a Yamaha TY man through and through, but when he got together with Sonia, he couldn't help having a quick peek at the slumbering Bult. "I was riding a TY250 at the time," John recalls. "I like all trials stuff though, so I had to have a go on Peter's old bike. I was amazed - it was so powerful compared to my TY - it just appealed to me straight away."
With interest in his bike rekindled, Peter set about resurrecting the machine and started a rolling restoration. Since then, John has taken over the ongoing project and absolutely loves riding the Bultaco. "It's got so much power," he enthuses. "Peter and I reckon it's been ported and it pulls from nothing. What's more, it's got loads of engine braking for a two-stroke. I've got it geared a bit high really, but it will still chug on from zero revs - it's amazing."

John has ridden the bike in the last two Manx Classic Two Day Trials and that event - with its roadwork and moor crossings - is responsible for the decision to up the gearing. "The first year I rode it, in 2004, I was getting passed on the road by Tiger Cubs and Bantams," John says. "Now it more than holds its own between the sections. The big end went that first year, but I still managed to finish. When we stripped the engine afterwards, the crankpin looked more like a camshaft lobe, but it still got me round."
Since then, the engine has enjoyed a full rebuild and there are a couple of modifications that help the bike hold its own in ‘modern' twinshock sections. "I've replaced the crack-prone original rear wheel with a stronger version from a later Model 49," John confides. "And I use a Model 80 swinging arm, which is a bit wider at the spindle end and gives more clearance for a 4.00 section tyre."

There are a couple of other upgrades to the bike too, though John is quick to point out that he has kept all the original parts and it would be a simple job to get the machine back to its original condition. "I run IRC tyres front and rear," he says, "and, combined with Falcon rear shocks, the difference in grip is phenomenal. I've just fitted an electronic ignition unit from Dave Renham in the interests of reliability and I run a Mikuni carburettor as I find it easier to set up. I could do with getting the forks re-chromed and fitting a new liner really, but I just love riding it."

John is quick to acknowledge the various friends who have helped with the bike. "Peter did a lot of the work before I ‘took over' and I can't over emphasise the input he's put into the bike. Mike Whillan, just down the road from me, has also been a fantastic help. I'm OK with Yams, but Mike is a proper engineer and has done loads of work for me - including restoring the original petrol tank. Dave Renham has been great with sourcing parts and I'd recommend him to anyone with a Bultaco.

"I've tried to keep the essential character of the bike," says John finally, "while trying to make it a bit better to ride. It's got lovely period touches like the after-market Sammy Miller top yoke and fork brace, but I've fitted wide footrests, plastic mudguards and a modified brake pedal that tucks inside the frame. I've still got all the original parts - bar the sidepanels, toolbox and speedo - stashed away safely though. I reckon the Model 27 represents the first ‘proper' trials model from Bultaco - previous production bikes seem more like modified trail bikes to me - and I love it to bits. It's not going anywhere now."

John's friend Mark Greenslade owns the lovely Model 80 you see here and he blames John for the fact that he's ended up with a Bultaco too. Ex-motocrosser Mark (he packed up in 1985) hadn't had a bike for years when his son Kristian asked if he could have a go at off-road sport. Dismissing motocross as too expensive, Mark bought and restored a Yamaha TY175 and gave it to Kristian for Christmas. At the same time, he bought himself a Beta, but it didn't take too many trials to convince him that modern trials weren't for him.
In the course of restoring Kristian's TY, Mark had met John and took a closer look at the burgeoning twinshock trials scene. Deciding that this was more like it, he bought a 320 Majesty and was hooked. Older bikes really attracted Mark though and his thoughts were turning towards a pre-65 machine when he came across this Model 80 - in part-restored state in Liverpool. Reasoning that it was a good halfway house between the pre-65 and twinshock worlds, Mark bought it and set about a full restoration.

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