Before Harley-Davidson bought controlling interest in Aermacchi, this “sloper” engine powered a variety of light weight Aermacchis including the stylish Chimera, a 175cc version also on display in the Museum.
In 175, 250 and 350cc versions, for street, off-road and racing of many forms, this was a true workhorse for Aermacchi, and later Harley-Davidson. From mild street bikes to championship winning dry-clutch dirt track and road race machines of 250cc’s, this single was remarkable. It still works well in vintage racing.
This Sprint version is the SX350, a middle-weight with off-road or “enduro” styling popular in America at the time. The braced handlebar, upswept exhaust and an optional skid plate helped attract a new audience, but the machine did not fare well against the foreign competition in showrooms.
In the 1960’s Americans were introduced to a wide range of new middle weight imported motorcycles. Harley-Davidson offerings were by then all roughly 900cc and larger machines, heavy weight and relatively expensive. Seeking a quick fix for the market share they gave up to foreign makers, Harley bought a controlling interest in Aermacchi about 1960. With this arrangement machines with displacements ranging from 50cc’s to 350cc’s became available in two-stroke and four-stroke models including those commonly referred to as Harley-Davidson Sprints, and about 50,000 were imported over a period of 15 years. The SX350 got a major chassis redesign in 1972 and 350 model lasted through 1974. In 1978 the Castiglioni brothers bought what remained of the Aermacchi factory and equipment.
This 350SX Sprint with a striking custom paint job resides in the Harley-Davidson section of the National Motorcycle Museum alongside a wide range of Harleys of all types, 1908 to the early 2000’s.
Specifications:
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- Engine: Air-Cooled Single
- Type: Four-Stroke, OHV
- Bore & Stroke: 74 mm × 80 mm
- Displacement: 344cc’s
- Compression Ratio: 9.3 : 1
- Ignition: Battery, Points, Coil
- Carburetor: Dell ‘Orto
- Starting: Kick
- Horsepower: 25
- Primary: Gear Driven
- Clutch: Dry, Multi-Plate
- Final Drive: Chain Driven
- Transmission: 4-Speed
- Frame: Spine / Tubular Steel
- Suspension: Hydraulic Fork / Swingarm, Dual Shocks
- Brakes: Drum Front / Drum Rear
- Wheelbase: 56 Inches
- Wheels / Tires: 3.00 x 19 /. 3.50 x 18
- Weight: 315 Pounds
- Top Speed: 80 MPH, Approximately
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Learned to ride on one of those in a field behind our house in Perth Amboy NJ. My buddy Georgie & I jumped it on a little plywood ramp we made until we bashed in the front fork hitting a pile of rocks! Sold it to a kid who fixed it!
We saw him a few weeks later walking down the street with a bandage on his face and nose. Asked him what happened. He told us he started her up & then did a standing burn out, let the clutch out flat footed, it popped a wheelie and broke his nose with the tach!! We literally fell on the ground laughing!! Best memories, for us anyway!! 🤣😎
I own it if you are interested in buying it !
Hcchhch kvvuiv
Now I see why this bike didn’t do well at auction ($3300) . It’s a mess for a museum bike
This bike has a verdict paint job and seat. Find another that has the same, it’s obvious you haven’t been to the museum you would have seen worst.