VINTAGE MOTO MONDAY: 1968 Bultaco 360 El Bandido

Many Americans went out and bought a Pursang after Yakima, Washington’s Jim Pomeroy won the 1973 Spanish Grand Prix on a Bultaco. This earlier bike, the beautifully detailed 1968 360 El Bandido, is much rarer than a Pursang. As a 360, it was built to compete in the Open class, and the 251-lb. Spanish machine was said to make 10 more horsepower than a 250 Pursang. A long wheelbase and a 31-degree head angle make this Bultaco better suited for a smooth scrambles track than an MX course. In fact, you could order an MX version with a 21-inch Akront front rim, or a scrambles model with the 19-incher seen here. Bandidos are rare in the US. Even though Spanish bikes of the era (Montesa, OSSAs, Bultacos) were known for their poor metallurgy, the castings and cases of these Bultaco engines are beautifully finished works of art.