Uncovered Iron- Classic Motorcycles: Harley's Italian Connection

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Harley's Italian Connection

Harley Sprint
Photo Credit; http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/1966-harley-davidson-sprint-4.jpg

I always have an eye out for motorcycles when I am on the road, especially those that are for sale. I recently came across a 1967 Harley sprint 250 SS. The sprint is an unusual Harley. The model was first put onto Harley’s product line in 1961. The Sprint shows Harley's Italian connection with a company called Aermacchi. Aermacchi was an Italian aircraft manufacturer. It wasn’t until after World War II, that Aermacchi started making motorcycles. Harley took specific note of Aermacchi’s 250cc Goldwing model, which showed some small bike racing success. Harley actually bought out part of the Aermacchi Company, and later released their 250 cc motorcycle model, the “sprint”. The sprint essentially has the same engine layout as the Aermacchi Goldwing. The Harley sprint features a horizontally opposed, single cylinder, four stroke engine. A 350 cc model was later produced from 1969 until 1974, when the sprint model was discontinued.

I fell in love with the bike after seeing it. It’s is said to have good small bike competitive racing history. There is a strong European feel given off by this classic. The sprint had the same headlight mount as my ‘67 Triumph, and a sweet early 70’s paint job... Enjoy the pic of Harleys Italian beauty!

1967 Harley Sprint Custom
Photo Credit; Alton- Uncovered Iron

-Uncovered Iron; Alton

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Information Credited

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/aermacchi-harley-davidson-350-sprint.aspx#axzz3AgD8WTHy

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1966-harley-davidson-sprint.htm

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My Story

My Classic Bike Story-

Waiting for anything is never fun, especially when you have to wait 3 years for something that could be sold any time. I spent those three years waiting for an original, numbers matching 1967 triumph TR6r. My bike sat in the back of a garage for 32 years without being started or moved.At the time of my first visit, many offers of purchase were made to the owner, luckily none fell through. During that visit in 2011, I was ready to purchase it, but the deal unfortunately went south. I left, letting the TR6r on the market for others to snatch up. Three years later I made another deal, and was able to purchase the Triumph for 2000 dollars. It turned out I got more than just a numbers matching TR6r. After not being started for 32 years, I managed to get the bike running without any major maintenance work. All the Triumph needed was new spark plugs, an oil change, and new gas lines. Compression was surprisingly great after all those years sitting untouched. My Triumph only had 14,000 miles at the time of purchase, and only two documented owners in its life time. I am currently the third owner, and in the process of restoring the 67' TR6r.

Enjoy- Alton