CLASSIC MOTOCROSS IRON: 1968 BULTACO 360 MK2 EL BANDIDO

BY TOM WHITE

By the late 1960s, many of the European motocross manufacturers had started building large-bore two-stroke machines to compete in the premier 500cc class. The British four-stroke machines were no longer omnipotent in motocross, and the Czechoslovakian CZ brand had been first to capitalize on the booming two-stroke market with the twin-port CZ360. Factory CZ rider Paul Friedrichs rewarded CZ with the 500cc World Motocross Championships in 1966, ’67 and ’68.

The Spanish Bultaco factory was best known for its 125cc and 250cc bikes, but Paco Bulto decided to build an Open-class machine. The end product was the El Bandido 360. It was designed to be light and handle well, but that proved not to be the case. The monster power made the El Bandido difficult to control. The Bandit never gained the popularity of the Maicos, Huskys and CZs of the period. The Spanish-made El Bandido first appeared in 1967 as a 350cc model, but in 1968 the bore was increased from 83.2mm to 85mm to up the displacement to 362cc (with 43.5 horsepower). Therein lies the problem! Weighing in at 251 pounds, some 20 pounds heavier than a 250 Pursang, and with almost 10 more horsepower, the Bandit could be tamed by very few riders.

Spanish metal was often blamed for the poor reliability of Spanish brands, such as Bultaco, Ossa and Montesa, and that problem was only exacerbated by the big-bore El Bandido. The machine also used a Femsatronic electric ignition that would prove to be unreliable.

As with the 250cc Pursang, the Bandido was available in both motocross and scrambles models. In America, the scrambles model sold better because the longish wheelbase (55.9 inches), 31-degree head angle, and ample power were better suited to smooth scrambles tracks.

Though it is largely ignored by vintage racers, the El Bandido motocross version has become a very desirable collector’s bike. Only produced from 1968 to 1971, relatively few 360 Bandidos were sold in America; thus, nice, original machines command a high price. “Nice” means original Betor forks and shocks, Akront alloy rims (21-inch front on MX model), a 32mm Amal Concentric carb, and an original Femsatronic ignition. Details like the standard grips with thumbs-up logo and original Pirelli tires would be a bonus. Don’t worry about the fiberglass, as good, original copies are available! 

In 1972, an upgraded Bultaco 360 Pursang replaced the El Bandido. The MK6, MK7 and MK9 Pursangs garnered enormous success. The Pursang 360 was replaced by the MK10 370 Pursang in 1977.