Little Italian Harleys

camgregus · 01-30-2012, 10:55 AM

I bought this one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

I picked it up and am now thinking of parting it out, then the guy with the shop next door offers to sell me a 250, more complete, and only needs a seal on the crank, for even cheaper. It has a couple of extra carbs for parts.

Anyone have experience with these? Wanna buy the 175 before I break it? It appears complete, but has one pretzeled lever, no guages or tail light or a bulb in the headlight.... Or sidecovers....

Schlivitz · 01-31-2012, 06:36 AM

I had a Z90 when I was a kid and it was tough as a pine knot, and faster than expected. Bought it from a guy who thought his kids had kill it, and leaned it up against the side if his house to rust away. Electrics were the weakest link in that bike. Don't know about other Aero's. I've always thought that Ohm's law didn't really take hold in Europe 'til at least the 1990's. Mine was great after we stripped all the unnecessary electrics off it. Not much left but a kill switch. Then it was ride, wreck, straighten, ride some more.

camgregus · 01-31-2012, 07:55 AM

the 250 might be fun to put motard type tires and wheels on and ride around town...

Quickv4 · 01-31-2012, 06:01 PM

I am very knowledgeable about the 175/250 Aermacchi Harleys both inside and out. I have both a 1976 SS250 and a MX250 in a very lightened 76 SS chassis (street tracker) Have a big honking stockpile of parts to make at least two more complete bikes. One project in the distant future is to put a Cagiva WMX 500 two stroke single in one of these frames muahaha. Once I nail the jetting on the MX250, it will be a rocket enough...

If you have any questions just ask!

I would suggest getting a better bike with a title, and using the 74 for parts or profit. 74 and 75 had alot of "early" parts, them being the first runs years. For instance the two piece kickstarter, the Zener diode rectifier ( which is missing on yours), the lack of rubber insulators on the side of the cylinder, plus many other minor and noramally unoticable internal updates and changes. that are different from the 76-on models. The 74 also has a much weaker transmission, the later Cima trandmissions are much more robust and well-mchined.

Best source for NEW or NOS parts is Moto Italia (Leslie is a FANTASTIC guy to deal with) in California, or Charleston Custom cycle in Illinois. (which I have limited experience with)

For good used parts, Ebay is your friend.

Overall these bikes are pretty darn reliable. Dansi CDI Ignition, Mikuni Oil Injection, and Dellorto Carburetion. Keep you oil pump dialed in and airbox sealed, and they are pretty easy starting, well running, light handling machines. The only real mod I would suggest for the electrics is to replace the junk Dansi Regulator/Rectifier with a Japanese Nippondenso/Shindengen RR from a UJM. The 175 and 250's are magneto fed CDI, so they will run without a battery. But if you want to have a reliable lighting system, opt for the jap RR retrofit.

Canuman · 01-31-2012, 06:05 PM

The Aermaccis are PISSCUTTERS! Do not let one go! The 350 has a particularly nice sound, and goes like stink, but they are all very capable. Unfortunately, not the last mistake HD made was cutting loose their Italian division.

camgregus · 01-31-2012, 07:37 PM

cool, I will probably part out the 175 and keep the 250 with the extra parts. I don't know yet if it has a title.... So much to check out....

Shocktower · 02-01-2012, 02:34 AM

Don't part it out fix it up

Canuman · 02-01-2012, 05:39 AM

Nice review of the 250 here:

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...son_sx_250.htm

They are not kidding about 97mph on a fresh one, either. A local fellow has a 350 that will easily top "the ton." It's a very gutty motor.

Quickv4 · 02-01-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuman

Nice review of the 250 here:

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...son_sx_250.htm

They are not kidding about 97mph on a fresh one, either. A local fellow has a 350 that will easily top "the ton." It's a very gutty motor.

Uhh, thats a Sprint. Totally different beast than our little two stoke Aermacchis. Sprints are still cool nonetheless.

Wouldnt mind having a earlier "ashtray" H or C.

FWIW, My SS250 two stroke will top out at 73-75 indicated.

LC4Dakar · 02-02-2012, 09:48 AM

I bought a brand new '69 125. Great bike, fast, light, more power than any other 125 available then.

But:

Woodruff key holding the mag rotor on the shaft split repeatedly.
Condenser mounted under same rotor would overheat so if you stopped the bike on a hot day after a hard ride it would not start for an hour.

appealmobile · 08-01-2012, 04:02 AM

was wondering if anyone knows the wiring code for the CDI on a SST 350.
I'm not even sure if it is defunct and the one I located in Italy seems a little different, but I would buy it if someone who has the same can tell me the wiring for itt

http://www.ebay.it/itm/CAGIVA-HD-SST...#ht_500wt_1127

01-30-2012, 10:55 AM	#1
camgregus ^OP riding gently now Joined: Feb 2006 Location: on the banks of the mighty mississippi, AR side Oddometer: 2,946	Little Italian Harleys I bought this one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT I picked it up and am now thinking of parting it out, then the guy with the shop next door offers to sell me a 250, more complete, and only needs a seal on the crank, for even cheaper. It has a couple of extra carbs for parts. Anyone have experience with these? Wanna buy the 175 before I break it? It appears complete, but has one pretzeled lever, no guages or tail light or a bulb in the headlight.... Or sidecovers.... __________________ got to get it on the good foot

01-31-2012, 06:36 AM	#2
Schlivitz Mercury Freefall Joined: Sep 2010 Location: East 10EC Oddometer: 53	I had a Z90 when I was a kid and it was tough as a pine knot, and faster than expected. Bought it from a guy who thought his kids had kill it, and leaned it up against the side if his house to rust away. Electrics were the weakest link in that bike. Don't know about other Aero's. I've always thought that Ohm's law didn't really take hold in Europe 'til at least the 1990's. Mine was great after we stripped all the unnecessary electrics off it. Not much left but a kill switch. Then it was ride, wreck, straighten, ride some more. __________________ Adventure is when everything goes wrong. That's when the adventure starts. - Yvon Chouinard

01-31-2012, 07:55 AM	#3
camgregus ^OP riding gently now Joined: Feb 2006 Location: on the banks of the mighty mississippi, AR side Oddometer: 2,946	the 250 might be fun to put motard type tires and wheels on and ride around town... __________________ got to get it on the good foot

01-31-2012, 06:01 PM	#4
Quickv4 Pro Turd Polisher Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Foote of duh Lake, Wiscowsin Oddometer: 523	I am very knowledgeable about the 175/250 Aermacchi Harleys both inside and out. I have both a 1976 SS250 and a MX250 in a very lightened 76 SS chassis (street tracker) Have a big honking stockpile of parts to make at least two more complete bikes. One project in the distant future is to put a Cagiva WMX 500 two stroke single in one of these frames muahaha. Once I nail the jetting on the MX250, it will be a rocket enough... If you have any questions just ask! I would suggest getting a better bike with a title, and using the 74 for parts or profit. 74 and 75 had alot of "early" parts, them being the first runs years. For instance the two piece kickstarter, the Zener diode rectifier ( which is missing on yours), the lack of rubber insulators on the side of the cylinder, plus many other minor and noramally unoticable internal updates and changes. that are different from the 76-on models. The 74 also has a much weaker transmission, the later Cima trandmissions are much more robust and well-mchined. Best source for NEW or NOS parts is Moto Italia (Leslie is a FANTASTIC guy to deal with) in California, or Charleston Custom cycle in Illinois. (which I have limited experience with) For good used parts, Ebay is your friend. Overall these bikes are pretty darn reliable. Dansi CDI Ignition, Mikuni Oil Injection, and Dellorto Carburetion. Keep you oil pump dialed in and airbox sealed, and they are pretty easy starting, well running, light handling machines. The only real mod I would suggest for the electrics is to replace the junk Dansi Regulator/Rectifier with a Japanese Nippondenso/Shindengen RR from a UJM. The 175 and 250's are magneto fed CDI, so they will run without a battery. But if you want to have a reliable lighting system, opt for the jap RR retrofit. __________________ Jerry ____________________________ Great forum and Resource for 1st and 2nd gen Honda V4s SabMagIntercept www.v4hondabbs.com Quickv4 screwed with this post 01-31-2012 at 07:05 PM

01-31-2012, 06:05 PM	#5
Canuman Cheese, Gromit? Joined: Jun 2008 Location: The Palace of the People, VT Oddometer: 3,297	The Aermaccis are PISSCUTTERS! Do not let one go! The 350 has a particularly nice sound, and goes like stink, but they are all very capable. Unfortunately, not the last mistake HD made was cutting loose their Italian division. __________________ We have no resources. We produce nothing. But...we have plenty of MEAN. Fearless Leader Motorcycle Racks Handmade in the US! Support a fellow Rider! Dual Sport Luggage Racks for: DRZ-S, SM and E, DR 650 and KLR650: http://www.moto-racks.com

01-31-2012, 07:37 PM	#6
camgregus ^OP riding gently now Joined: Feb 2006 Location: on the banks of the mighty mississippi, AR side Oddometer: 2,946	cool, I will probably part out the 175 and keep the 250 with the extra parts. I don't know yet if it has a title.... So much to check out.... __________________ got to get it on the good foot

02-01-2012, 02:34 AM	#7
Shocktower Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon City Orygun Oddometer: 8,234	Don't part it out fix it up __________________ Alexa Drew Nov 9 1995- Oct 28th 2004 Miss you baby '08 KTM 530 EXC 79 RD 400 Daytona

02-01-2012, 05:39 AM	#8
Canuman Cheese, Gromit? Joined: Jun 2008 Location: The Palace of the People, VT Oddometer: 3,297	Nice review of the 250 here: http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...son_sx_250.htm They are not kidding about 97mph on a fresh one, either. A local fellow has a 350 that will easily top "the ton." It's a very gutty motor. __________________ We have no resources. We produce nothing. But...we have plenty of MEAN. Fearless Leader Motorcycle Racks Handmade in the US! Support a fellow Rider! Dual Sport Luggage Racks for: DRZ-S, SM and E, DR 650 and KLR650: http://www.moto-racks.com

02-02-2012, 09:48 AM	#10
LC4Dakar Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: SF Bay Area and Las Cruces, NM Oddometer: 359	I bought a brand new '69 125. Great bike, fast, light, more power than any other 125 available then. But: Woodruff key holding the mag rotor on the shaft split repeatedly. Condenser mounted under same rotor would overheat so if you stopped the bike on a hot day after a hard ride it would not start for an hour. __________________ Art 1994 BMW R100GS 2005 KTM 525 MXC (plated) 1960 Lotus 7 (hey, it's a 4 wheel motorcycle!)

08-01-2012, 04:02 AM	#11
appealmobile n00b Joined: Jul 2012 Location: UK Oddometer: 7	was wondering if anyone knows the wiring code for the CDI on a SST 350. I'm not even sure if it is defunct and the one I located in Italy seems a little different, but I would buy it if someone who has the same can tell me the wiring for itt http://www.ebay.it/itm/CAGIVA-HD-SST...#ht_500wt_1127

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