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►Back in the late 1920's and the 1930's a man
named Ettore Bugatti created some of the most desirable sporting automobiles
ever made. Bugatti was a genius who exercised complete control over the
manufacture of the machines which bore his name. Prior to the introduction of
Bugatti racing cars competition machines were great heavy devices powered by
immense engines. To Ettore Bugatti goes the credit for designing the first
lightweight, agile racing car. These lightweight racing machines won literally
hundreds of races and created a standard for excellence that endures to this
day. In some ways Bugatti was a
dictator. He knew exactly what he wanted, and the men who manned his small
factory produced it to his exact specifications. When Bugatti's young son
reached a certain age his father designed a miniature car which was an almost
exact duplicate of one of the factory's most successful racers. Wealthy
customers saw this "toy" and demanded similar machines for their fortunate
offspring. A limited number of these miniature cars were made. Today, any
antique automobile collector worthy of the name would give eye teeth to obtain
one of these very rare little machines.
In the years since Bugatti's
time the automobile industry has changed drastically. No longer is it feasible,
or economically possible, for an automobile manufacturer to function in the
manner in which Bugatti did. Fortunately, motorcycling and motorcycle
manufacturing have not yet succumbed to the "Detroit syndrome." Bugatti has his
counterparts in motorcycling: His name is F. X. Bulto.
Senor Bulto is a designer, an
engineer, and a man dedicated to creating really fine sporting motorcycles. Much
like Bugatti in an earlier time, Bulto keeps a very close eye on the products
that emanate from his factory. Almost everything that bears the Bultaco name
carries the imprint of Senor Bulto. Now, also like Bugatti, Senor Bulto has
created a machine for children. This new Bultaco, called the Tiron, falls into a
class of machines that has come to be known as mini-cycles.
As in the past, we had to
depend on youngsters for actual riding impressions of the machine. No one had to
tell us that the Tiron is an exceptionally well made mini-cycle: It's obvious
just looking at the machine. The fiberglass gas tank/seat base is similar to
that found on the very popular Bultaco Alpina. The "glass" drops down on either
side of the machine to form covers which hide the muffler. Finished in brilliant
red with silver trim, the gas tank has a capacity of 1.3 gallons.
The seat is a bit firm by adult
standards, but seemed just fine for the youngsters.
The ratio between tire sizes is
in keeping with modern accepted standards, although on a smaller scale. The rear
wheel on the machine is 14 inches in diameter and the front rim measures 17
inches in diameter. The rim used at the rear of the machine is a "shoulderless"
Akront, at the front a more common steel rim is fitted. Both rims are laced to
full width alloy hubs, and both tires have a very mild Trials Universal tread
pattern. Protection for the rider is provided by a pair of well balanced light
alloy fenders.
Looking like a scaled down
frame from one of the larger Bultacos, the tube work on the Tiron should easily
withstand the hard usage of young riders. Both the backbone and the front down
tube are large in diameter, the underside of the engine is well protected by a
perforated steel skid plate and the rear sub-frame is extremely strong. The
swinging arm pivots on robust steel plates which also act as the mounting points
for the footpegs. This peg location is typical of trials configuration and it
means that it is necessary to move the right foot off the peg to make gear
changes. This set-up is fine for trials riding but it can be a bit awkward for
just plain cow trailing.
The practical evaluation of the
suspension on El Tiron had to be left to our young test rider. To our adult eye
the suspension looks right, and according to our testers it is right. With an
adult in the saddle the rear shocks tended to "collapse" allowing the rear tire
to come very close to the fender. The front forks seemed better equipped to
handle the weight of an adult. Even with a good size oaf riding the machine the
front forks did an admirable job of absorbing the jolts. Kenny Alexander, one of
the top mini-cycle racers in Southern California, took the Tiron for a ride and
returned with the information that the handling was, "excellent." He should
know!
The engine in the Tiron should
be capable of withstanding any abuse a youngster can heap on it. From the base
of the cylinder down the engine is identical to that found in the 250cc Bultaco.
The crank, primary drive, and 5-speed transmission are all identical to the big
Buls. Total displacement of the engine is 99.5 cubic centimeters and the
compression ratio is 8.5:1. A 24 millimeter Zenith carburetor passes the
fuel/air mixture into the crankcase. Spent gases are carried away through a high
pipe which is tucked in well out of the way of the rider. The tip of the exhaust
system is diabolically angled so that it spews exhaust goo all over the left
rear shock.► |
Bike Tests 
