Harley-Davidson’s partial ownership of the large Italian manufacturer Aermacchi brought a wide range of street and off-road motorcycles to showrooms. In 1960, well before the Japanese Big Four had penetrated the U.S. market, Harley-Davidson had purchased a 50% share, and in 1974 owned Aermacchi completely. Harley already had American-made lightweight two-stroke bikes like the Hummer, 165 and Scat plus their scooter, but the Aermacchi relationship brought more lightweight machines helping dealers match the offerings of the competition.
The 1972 Harley-Davidson MC-65 Shortster is a pretty rare, one year only mini-bike. It used the engine from the lightweight Leggero already in the lineup. Much more sophisticated than many American minis from the 1960’s like those from Fox and Rupp, the Shortster had a solid backbone-style frame, hydraulic suspension, street legal lighting, a license plate mount, gauges, and a braced handlebar. Picking up on styling trends, the bike incorporated an upswept exhaust with chrome shield, a dual seat, big bike grips and polished stainless steel fenders. Yellow, red and blue were offered colors.The wheelbase was just under 40 inches, and tires were a healthy 3.00 x 10 inches. For 1973, the chassis received the larger 90cc engine with a four speed transmission. With this new engine the mini was renamed the X-90 and the MC-65 was gone from the line-up.
Tony Withers has owned this Shortster since new and offers,
“This bike was mine when I was about 12-13 years old, that my folks got for me. We rode it all over my parents property until it finally gave up and died. The bike sat for about 30 years out in the back pasture with a bunch of my dads old cars, until one day when I decided to dig it out to see what was left. The bike was in bad shape as you could imagine. My first thought was to see about parting any good parts out on eBay. Once I started looking on the internet, I found quite a bit of info about it, and that parts are still available. I had grown up doing auto mechanics work as well as auto body and decided to restore the Harley.”
Over time Tony rebuilt the engine and massaged each piece back to its shiny original form. Wishing to share the bike with others, Tony recently offered the bike on loan to the National Motorcycle Museum. You can see it in the scooter display area along with other minis and scooters from France, Germany, Japan, Italy and of course the United States.
Specifications:
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- Engine: Two-Stroke Piston Port Single
- Bore & Stroke: 44mm x 42mm
- Displacement: 63.8cc’s
- Carburetion: Dell’Orto ME 18 BS
- Electrics: 6 Volt Battery, Coil & Points
- Compression Ratio: 8.5:1
- Lubrication: 25:1 Pre-Mix
- Primary: Gear Driven
- Starting: Kick Lever
- Transmission: 3-Speed, Foot Shift
- Clutch: Dry, Hand Operated
- Final Drive: Chain
- Brakes: Drum Front & Drum Rear
- Frame: Steel Tubular, Backbone
- Fork: Hydraulic
- Rear Suspension: Swingarm / Dual Shocks
- Wheels / Tires: 3.00 x 10 / 3.00 x 10
- Wheelbase: 39.2 Inches
- Weight: 126 Pounds
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I saw Tony put in the effort to restore this bike. Who knew a little bike would take that much time. Well worth it!!!
Hi there,
Great bike!
I’m currently restoring one and have quite a few questions if any one could help please email me at tbarner85@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
I have a 1972amf Harley Davidson shortster. 65cc. Only 84 miles on it. Been in garage since new. Wondering approximate value would be. Like new.
interested in buying it if you consider.
Hi Scott I have one with 54 miles unmolested I consider selling if the offer was right
Hi, I have one that I had picked up back in the 80’s, i just went down state and hot it our of the barn, i hope to get it running , i see on here all the gas tanks are blue, were mine is black, is there some were i would be able to pick up book on this bike, on how to bring it back to life , mine has three red strips and three white , i not see this one on line as yet, can anyone help me?
it be just me in hope, I Thank You,
Truly Gilbert
Why did they have two shifters? Mine broke as a kid I used vice grips on the gear coming out of top of motor, the big silver on e was that????
One is the shifter and the other is the kick start.
Ihi all
all we need to complete our 1972 mc65cc is a new piston and rings any one know of a parts supplier
Thanks
Mark in the UK
Bought mine back in 1972, and I’m 65, and stoll have it. Needs a little work, but still runs.Mine is yellow.
Where is a good platform to sell an AMF like this?
Where can I find a coil for one of these?