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.
Harley is going to lose their butts if they do this. If they want to make money they should produce a smaller displacement nuckle head or shovel head or pan head. All the size of a Sportster. There’s your money . Harley trying to pass more junk off on the riders, give me a break. Another let down. Who picks these bikes. I can do a better job & pick then whoever did this thought.
Harley is going to lose their butts if they do this. If they want to make money they should produce a smaller displacement nuckle head or shovel head or pan head. All the size of a Sportster. There’s your money . Harley trying to pass more junk off on the riders, give me a break. Another let down. Who picks these bikes. I can do a better job & pick then whoever did this thought.