These pages are dedicated to what was and what might have been back in the day.

Australian Motorcycle news August 15 1975

NEW MX BY HARLEY

Harley Davidson have been fooling around with motocross design most of the past season, with a few of their prototypes turning up at different meetings for evaluation. Now, as the '75 series draws to a close, the Milwaukee factory is putting out 100 bikes which will be campaigned by selected dealers next season. The dealers will in turn pass on information and development ideas before Harley go into full  scale production.

With Harley Davidson owning the Aermacchi factory in Italy which has proved so successful in the two stroke field with the 250 road racer, it's no surprise the motorcrosser is very Italian in style, The Aermacchi factory developed the engine naturally. Basically the power plant was one of  H.D."s SX250 trail motors. Features, are a chrome bore, forged alloy piston, Capacitor Discharge Ignition made by Dansi, and a 34mm Dell'Orto carby.  Transmission is five speed made, by Shima

The frame, made, in America. It was made to Harley specifications by "Champion" out of chrome Molly A wheelbase figure of 57 inches is given for the double down tube frame. Rear suspension is a little unconventional in that it resembles front fork, These  units were specially made by Red Wing and are combination, airoil units. Seven, inches of  movement is claimed. In Europe a similar set up is currently being experimented with by former 500cc world  motocross champion Bengt Aberg on his Bultaco .Front suspension gives a claimed 7.1 inches of axe1 Travel. with  Shown forks Rear brake is unusual too, in that it's a disc. Harley designed the unit using an Airheart master cylinder with a calipre made by H&H. Tyres are Yokohama super digger front and rear, mounted on Sun shoulderless alloy rims, Preston Petty fenders

Whittaker petrol tank and plenty of ABS plastic adorns the frame. Control levels are Magura Reports of the first rides show the Harley, to be a serious threat to the 250cc motocross class. The power response is likened to Bultaco being smooth and strong, as opposed to a sudden power band, None of the first 100 will see our shores. Hopefully, if they prove successful in U.S.  competition we'll see some when they go into production.

Thanks to Menalco Solis for the Pics