Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 21st July from 1pm
Auction: Wed 22th July from 10am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
Registration No: JGF 861NFrame No: 2D1597744MOT: Exempt
Harley’s competitor to Honda’s ‘Monkey’ bike
90cc 4-speed engine with fold-down handlebars
Supplied with manuals and current V5C
In 1960, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, renowned for big bore cruisers, purchased 50% of the Italian firm Aermacchi to give it access to smaller engined bikes. The Italian branch of the newly formed company was named ‘Aermacchi-Harley-Davidson’ and the first bike was a variation of the ‘Ala Verde’, suitably modified for the American market. By 1974, the remaining Aermacchi motorcycle holdings were purchased and the company became AMF-Harley-Davidson with small capacity motorcycles continuing to be made at Varese. The highlight of the partnership was probably Walter Villas’ four world championships on 250 and 350 Grand Prix bikes in the mid 1970s. In 1978 the business was sold to the Castiglioni brothers who continued production under the Cagiva brand name. An interesting result of this unlikely tie-up was the X90, a small wheeled bike with fold-down handlebars that competed with Honda’s classic Monkey bikes.
Nicknamed the ‘Shortster’ as a reference to Harley’s ‘Sportster’ range and only produced for 2 years, this rare model is a must have addition to any Harley-Davidson collection. Fitted with fold-down handlebars, it’s a great bike for use in motorhomes and caravans with a 90cc 4-speed engine to get you around. A matching numbers bike, it is thought to have been in Warr’s Harley-Davidsons private collection for a number of years. Not running when bought with a few parts missing, the vendor sourced N. O. S. items from the USA and overhauled the engine and carb to recommission the bike. He also managed to find some rare literature concerning the model, including an owners manual, parts list and sales brochure which will all be included in the sale, together with a current V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
