British

Alta Motorcycles

A Brief History of the Marque

Alta were motorcycles produced from 1969 to 1970.

•1969 The Alta motorcycles were trials machines built in Wales. They were developed following conversion work on road Suzuki machines. A Suzuki 118cc two-stroke engine was used on the Alta. The motorcycle had a dual-range gearbox to supplement the the three-speed one, so that it offered both high and low sets of ratios. The machine had a light-alloy monocoque frame.

•1970 The frame became tubular. Significant increases in costs brought the production of Alta to an end as the motorcycles would have priced themselves out of the market.

See also History of Alta Trials Motorcycles

Sources: Graces Guide, EMU

Notes
There was also an Alta made in Greece, and Alta Car & Engineering Co 1931-1947



12-Mar-2021
Tanner7007 at gmail.com
Alta 118 trials bike
I am after any and all infromation/photos i can get of the alta 118 1969/70 trails bikes i can.
Cheers
Charlie
Devon

    Alta 118 image posted to Comments

12-Mar-2019
kylewhite86 a t icloud.com
Alta Suzuki kt120 1970
Hi I would like some information on the Alta. I have purchased one in bits. would like to put it back together. Any information would be a great help. Thanks
Kyle white
Midhurst West Sussex

Thu, 09 Nov 2017
morrag1 at virginmedia.com
Alta 1972

Interesting article on the Alta, as I'm currently "tidying up" my own. I bought the remaining 1 1/2 kits of Keith when the business closed, they were lodged in his loft at that point! and a mate bought the other remaining kit, all less engines and forks. I campaigned my No.1 that year, and Keith actually gave it its first run out when I initially completed in local club and OTC trials, riding from the Neath Motor Club. As I recall he was far more able than I! The Alta I am restoring, well generally so! was the 1/2! kit I purchased, but has a 125cc Suzuki motor or 1970's vintage, ho hum, heady days, I'm 76 now but remember Keith and his shop on St. Helens Road fondly, cheers for now,
Dave Morris
Swansea. Wales United Kingdom
.......

I have a few original photos. Which I shall attempt to find and post! One actually shows Keith demonstrating the weight, or should I say lack off! by hoisting an Alta kit onto his shoulder!! My Alta has been holding up the garage wall for nigh on 40 years, but will now undergo a tidy up, but not to orig. spec. as I'm using a slightly later motor. Regarding the guy who said he didn't have the 3x2 Trail cat, 6 speed motor, he probably has the 4 speed road-going motor, the B100P, or "Bloop" motor, which I used in my original build in '70/'71, until I managed to get hold of a KT120 motor, ok,
.......
On checking the small amount of orig. info on the Altas I owned, I find that the one I have left is in fact 1971, with a frame Number AL193, still not found the original pics but I shall keep searching through my many years of archived info. aka Junk! and hopefully they will turn up, cheers for now, Dave Morris


Fri Oct 23 2015
barrygfox at hotmail.com
More information available
Alta all
I was a close friend of Keith Taylor who was the owner & designer. I have a lot
Let me know if you want to give you more info.
Barry Fox 017928515411
Swansea the home of Alta
Alta History



Wed Mar 26 2014
rodneyshauna at gmail.com
Alta Suzuki
Trails AL 154
Here is a photo of Alta # AL 154 That I have owned since 1974. I am just starting a restoration on it.
Northern California. USA


Mon Jun 24 2013
rpmsrx<at>comcast.net

1970 Alta Suzuki
I have what i believe is a 1970 Alta Suzuki, mine has a 120(118 cc) Suzuki but it doesn't have a high/low trans in it. Do you have any pictures or info. that might help me figure out exactly what i have? Or any contacts that could maybe help me out?
USA


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