Lot 312 - c.1960 Bultaco 125cc TSS Racing Motorcycle For Sale by Auction

This motorcycle is Lot 312 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.

Auction Timings:
Lots 101 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.

Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).

Lot 312
The Connoisseurs Collection; Formerly the property of the late Tommy Robb
c. 1960 Bultaco 125cc TSS Racing Motorcycle
Registration no.
Frame no. M600026
Engine no. M-600026
• Four-speed model
• Restored by Tommy Robb
• Ridden by Tommy in the Isle of Man TT Lap of Honour
• Sold to the collection by Tommy in 1996
• Requires recommissioning following a period of inactivity

Spurred on by the successes achieved by tuned versions of its first model, the Tralla 101, Bultaco went one stage further and developed its first purpose-built racing motorcycle: the legendary TSS. Among the first racers to campaign the Spanish two-strokes in the UK were Tommy Robb and Dan Shorey, the latter taking the coveted ACU Star (British Championship) in the 125cc class in 1961. Armed with a 196cc TSS, Shorey enjoyed a phenomenal run of success in the 1962 250cc World Championship, twice finishing 4th behind a trio of works Hondas to end the year in 7th place overall. He also took the British 125 and 250cc Championships that same year. The factory went on to offer a full '250' from 1965 having developed it throughout 1964. Although successes at Grand Prix level were few, at national level the new water-cooled Bultacos were better than almost all the opposition.

This Bultaco TSS was previously owned by former Grand Prix racer, the late Tommy Robb. Born in Northern Ireland in 1934, Tommy began riding in trials and scrambles events in 1950. He also competed on Irish grass tracks, winning six national titles and a 25-mile sand race between 1954 and 1956, before turning to short circuits and real roads racing. Belfast-based sponsor Terry Hill, himself a trials rider, provided Tommy with a 175 MV and an NSU Sportmax 250 for 1957 and 1958, with Robb finishing 3rd in the Ulster Grand Prix in 1957 and 2nd in 1958. Tuner/ entrants Geoff Monty and Allen Dudley-Ward then took over as Tommy's sponsors until he signed for Honda for 1962, becoming one of the first non-Japanese riders hired by the Honda factory team.

Tommy won his first World Championship race in the 250 class at the Ulster Grand Prix in 1962, ending the season 2nd in the 350 World Championship and 3rd in the 125 class. In 1973, he won the Lightweight 125 race at the Isle of Man TT riding a Yamaha, and his lengthy career at the TT included many more podium finishes. Tommy was also a five-time winner of the North West 200 race in Northern Ireland. Towards the end of his competitive riding, Robb established a road-racing school in conjunction with former motorcycling journalist and motorcycle dealer David Dixon. Tommy Robb died on 12th December 2024 at the age of 90.

This Bultaco TSS was restored by Tommy Robb, though it was not raced by him in period. In a letter on file dated 1995, Tommy states that he personally restored the machine. He goes on to say: "One of the original... 1960 TSS 125 Bultacos (4 speed) ever made. In perfect running order and in fact ridden round the TT Circuit by myself, in the Lap of Honour only three years ago. Everything is perfect internally in the motor and as you will see from the photos, I have rebuilt to original colours, and put into pristine condition." Tommy also states that the engine number falls within the first 25, but it is in fact number '26'. Tommy sold the machine to the vendor's collection in 1996 and following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Key not required.

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. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.