Some would credit Yamaha with the focus in design and production of capable dual sport bikes when they launched the Yamaha DT-1 in 1968. The Yamaha was designed from scratch, was not just a high pipe version of an existing street bike. But like the Yamaha, this Harley-Davidson SX175 was a simple air-cooled, port induction two-stroke single with knobby tires, decent ground clearance, a high pipe and braced handlebar, but it came quite a few years later. Good attention was given to styling; this was a big leap from the overly traditional Italian look of 1960’s Aermacchi four-stroke “sloper” powered bikes.
In 1961 Harley-Davidson bought a 50% share of Aermacchi which allowed them to compete better in the small bike and the off-road segments of motorcycle production and sales. But this very different Aermacchi-designed, Italian production SX175 did not come about until the 1974 model year. A solo seat model at first, it became a two up machine with a redesign for 1976. The SX175 shared major components with Harley’s SX250.
But the focus of the average Harley-Davidson dealer was Milwaukee-made big twins and Sportsters, not imports. And non-Harley customers were more prone to shop in Japanese manufacturers’ showrooms when seeking a good dirt bike. So this class of Harley-Davidson came and went. But we should recall that in 1975 the interesting and somewhat successful MX250 motocrosser arrived as a prototype, then a full production machine for 1978 with a factory-backed race team.
With less than a mile on its original odometer, this SX175 Harley-Davidson was graciously donated to the National Motorcycle Museum Collection by Delores Hanson late in 2019. There are a good number of Aermacchi-made Harley-Davidsons on display at the Museum. Street bikes, dirt track racers and dual sport machines, Harley’s efforts to serve a broader community of riders is here for you to see.
Specifications:
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- Engine: Two-Stroke Single
- Type: Air-Cooled, Port Induction
- Bore & Stroke: 61mm x 60mm / 2.40″ x 2.34 Inches
- Displacement: 174.1cc
- Compression Ratio: 10.7 : 1
- Carburetor: 27mm Dell’Orto
- Electrics: 12 Volt
- Lubrication: Oil Injection
- Starting: Kick Only
- Horsepower: 17HP
- Transmission: 5-Speed
- Primary: Gear Driven
- Clutch: Wet, Multi-Plate
- Frame: Steel, Double Down Tube
- Suspension: 32mm Marzocchi Fork / Swingarm, Twin Shocks
- Wheels/Tires: 3.00 x 19 / 3.50 x 18
- Brakes: 140mm SLS Drum / 140mm SLS Drum
- Weight: 247 Pounds
- Wheelbase: 54 Inches
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I desperately miss the two-stroke enduro era . . .
Nice bike. I owned a 1978 SX , it was Brown. It ran well and was a lot of fun. Very few were made.
I have a 1977 sx175, just mechanically restored it,kept original paint work.
Fantastic machine.
These AerMacchi models came out with the mid/hi pipes in 1972. Been collecting old small Harleys for a long time.
Had a Baja 100 AMF “Harley”.
Nice example of the 175. I happened upon this while looking for exactly how the SX chain guard is set up.
Not seeing completely, but it is helpful to see an example. I’m finishing up conversion of my SS to SX. It’s been living with the SS chain guard and i’m finally going to straighten that out.
Who actually designed this series of bike ,
Where can i buy one
I have a Sx175 I bought back in January.
4500 miles. Was in an air conditioned basement. This is a 1 owner bike. He kept every bit of paperwork he accumulated with this bike. All service records. It was serviced by the dealership.
Give me a call if it’s something you might be interested in.
1500 bucks.
This is the only time I’ve offered it for sale.
Give me a call.
8437424780 r
My first bike was a 1965 M50, then a 1973 TX 125, then a 1975 SX250. All were great bikes with no issues that I can recall. Those bikes were very dependable. To bad Harley chose to leave the small bike market.
I have an early 70s sx175cc complete motor.motor runs but is low on compression.open to offers im located in lower ala.251 979 8068. Call or text ill send photos. Also have extra parts .plus older hd125.