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 ItalJet - 350 trial
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
2705

Capacity : 350
Model : trial
Production : 1980 -
Category : (Off-Road) Trial

ITALJET

350 T - 1980

A Bultaco with an Italian accent

During the 1980s Italjet, an Italian company specializing in building miniature motorcycles for children, attempted to dominate the trials scene with a home-grown interpretation of the Spanish Bultaco. After winning the World Trials Championship five limes, Bultaco ceased production in 1979.

A Great Beginning

Leopoldo Tartarini, chief executive of Italjet, was also the Italian agent for Bultaco. He signed one of the Catalan factory's top riders, American Bernie Schreiber, as well as its engineer Manuel Marques, creator of the ultimate Bultaco Sherpas. Tartarini's aim was to create a true Italian trials bike. A skilled entrepreneur, he had ample financial and technical skills at his fingertips. In mid-season 1980, Italjet entered the World Championship with a machine that, though it looked very like a Bultaco, was all Italian. Despite his late entry – and two events to get the machine sorted – Bernie Schreiber ended the season as vice-champion of the world; Italjet was established as "the" coming marque.

And a Sudden End

Unfortunately, that momentum quickly dissipated. Despite the talent of its rider and its modern and attractive styling (Tartarini was its designer), this 250 was far from being a finished product. It was heavy, hard to handle, its engine vibrated too much and was lacking in bottom-end punch. The basic concept of the machine was at fault. Despite a well-conceived evolution model called "Piuma" ("feather"), which was 18 lb lighter, and a fine four-stroke 350, the "Scott," Italjet was never anything more than the dying reflection of Bultaco.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 326cc (83.2x6o mm) air-cooled single-cylinder

Power Rating: 20 hp @ 6200 rpm

Valves: two-stroke

Fuel System: 28mm carburetor

Transmission: 6-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm with twin spring/dampers (rear)

Brakes: 4.9 inch coned drums (front & rear)

Wheels: 21 inch (front); 18 inch (rear)

Weight: 223 lb

Despite its fleeting success, the Italjet was simply the last dying gasp of the Bultaco marque and disappeared in the wake of a financial disaster.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.