Ducati Monster Forum

Has anyone heard of these Italian made Harleys? I know nothing about them, but I found one in good condition for a reasonable price. Any info you have would be appreciated.

JDG

Of course we have. Although it isn't fair to say Aermacchi became Ducati..there is an interesting if convoluted connection. (and MV Augusta. Husqvarna, Morini, and others)

http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/aermacchi_history.htm (http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/aermacchi_history.htm)

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/bikes/cagiva.htm (http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/bikes/cagiva.htm)

http://www.cagiva.com.au/welcome/page5.php (http://www.cagiva.com.au/welcome/page5.php)

I get it now. Please excuse my ignorance. I am new to bikes...especially ducatis. I decided against it. Too old and underpowered, but I would love to have it if I could afford more than one bike. Very cool looking.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/1425047723.html (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/1425047723.html)

This is what I got instead.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/1422598343.html (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/1422598343.html)

The price was right and seems to be in good condition, except for the lost title(but has the appropriate DMV forms to get a replacement).

you can find the funky-ass Harley Chimera all over europe for around 2k euro.. import is easy cause they are +25 yo.

show up at the next hd event riding that, i imagine it will be quite confusing for them

(http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/aermacchi_chimera_250.jpg)

I'm planning to race my '67 250 next year in SMRI's new Ultra Lightweight Vintage class....if they ever decide on rules.

The convoluted connection to Ducati goes like this......

In 1960 HD acquired a 50% interest in Aermacchi and began importing Aermacchi/HD units as entry level bikes.  The HD Sprint was the most popular of those models, but there were many others, like the "Shortster".  Any 2 stroke HD dirt bike you ever saw was built in Varese, Italy.

In 1974 HD acquired the remaining 50% of Aermacchi.

In 1978 HD sold Aermacchi to the Castiglioni brothers, who merged the manufacturing facilities and engineering properties of Aermacchi into their existing parts business.  That company, Cagiva, still exists.....sorta.

In 1985 Cagiva saved Ducati from bankruptcy by assuming it's debts in a buyout.  Cagiva owned Ducati until it was bought by Texas Pacific Group in 1996.

Cagiva purchased MV Agusta and reorganized as MV Agusta SPA.  The Cagiva brand was still manufactured alongside the "new" MV Agusta brand.  The Castiglioni family retained ownership until it was bought by HD last year.....again........

Now HD is again divesting itself of the Varese facility. 

Wanna deal on a motorcycle plant?  Call 1-800-PLEASEBUYMV. ;)

this reminds me of the Ducati >>> Jeep connection

My brother-in-law had a sprint bought new in the early 70's, and he says it is easily the worst bike he has ever experienced in 50 years of riding and dozens of bike.s

mitt

+1

I rode & worked on those bikes at one time. Although I never owned one I can tell you that they are complete slugs.  A 350 Desmo single out does it in every single aspect and is way more cool.

there is some good info on them at http://flashbackfab.com/ (http://flashbackfab.com/)
along with much more excellent mc stuff...

I do like the sprints...


still kickin' myself over not buying that one down here...

Here is a picture of my '69 Sprint 350SS.  My father bought it brand new in '69.
The quick stats: 350cc, single cylinder, pushrod, dry clutch, 6volt, 4spd (right foot shift; 1 up, 3 down). 
It weighs around 300lbs and puts down an arm-wrenching 25hp at 7000rpms. 
An absolute blast to ride (when everything is working).
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4052423347_f1940bda04.jpg)

...and you have a tailwind.. rofl

seriously, it's a handsome bike.. i love the retro look.

Retro only applies to new bikes that look like old ones.  Old bikes are just old... [thumbsup]

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll161/porschaholic/harvest%20classic/2009-10-24142618.jpg)

Saw this at the Harvest Classic rally.

 [thumbsup]

Had a 1971 model 350 ERS, Harley's TT bike and indoor short tracker.

Here is the one I had #11 of 50...

Picked it up at Adamec's in Jax in 1972 took it home in the box.

Was a running bugger... push start, magneto, big cereani forks, was made to slide


(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/myssrhl/ers.png)

I rode a 69 model of a friends quite a bit back in 1970 and liked it very well. Two other friends had 250's cause they couldn't afford Ducati and loved em.  Flat bars would have made a big positive on the Sprint I think and of course better suspension.

LA

I'm planning to race my '67 250 next year in SMRI's new Ultra Lightweight Vintage class....if they ever decide on rules.

Cloner?

Paleese!  You must be on some HEAVY meds, cause there's nothing LIGHT, much less ultra light, about either of us.

I'm not sure the powers that be would allow either you or I to ride in the "light weight" class on anything.  ;D ;D

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself.  [evil]

LA

Yeah, flat bars would be nice for sportier riding and I was going to make the change, but this bike is staying stock (minus the school bus spec square Pirellis that were originally on it). 
When I ride the bike, I love it for what it is and for what it is not.   [moto]

Love you, Larry.....mean it.   [thumbsup]

22 horsepower, 250 pounds of bike, 260 pounds of rider.  What's the problem, LA?  Actually, it should be a blast.  I'm working pretty hard to shed pounds before spring, and I hope to be in the 225 range before the season starts here in April.  The bike makes slightly more horses than most of the other bikes in the class, so it should be even.   ;D

If I get into too much trouble I can switch to a short stroke CRTT, CRS, or ERS motor and get up in to the 40 horse range.  That'll show 'em!   [evil]

I'll post up a couple of pics of the old girl when I get a chance.  I had Glass From the Past fabricate a set of the factory roadracing fairings, seat pan, fender, and fuel tank for this model, and I've modified the frame a bit via reinforcement and a slight alteration of the steering head angle to make the stinkin' thing turn.  I've fitted 35mm Betor forks (absolutely necessary for a fat boy, n'est pas?), a steering damper (the old friction style, not a hydraulic unit) new wheels and tires, a four shoe front brake (Grimeca 180mm), a 12V magneto/electronic ignition unit (sans battery), and a host of other goodies.  I still need to send the forks to RaceTech for modification, fabricate cables, relocate the seat 75mm aft (to make room for the rider's knees...duh), finish the homemade reverse cone megaphone exhaust (only one joint to go!!), and get it all painted....but that should all be easily accomplished in a single winter.

I generally lap the folks I'll be racing with multiple times during a trackday session when I ride the Ducati, so hopefully I'll be able to at least hold pace on this old beast.  It's a dirt cheap way to go racing in any case....so I think I'll just shoot for the fun factor, anyway.

Isn't it time you get off your ass and make a trip to Albuquerque, Larry?  We have a spare room and there are actually a few nice roads out here that you can admire.  I'm sure Kingbaby and some of the other locals would love to meet you, too.  And, yes...you can bring Hedden if you have to.....but you'll have to share a bed.   [puke]

I've resurrected this once dead thread to rub it in Larry's face that this fat boy placed third in the first Ultra Lightweight race of the year!  You can see pics of the bike at www.mh900e.org (http://) (I know it's not an MH....but I administer that site, so that's where my blog is).

Or, I guess I could just.....
(http://www.mh900e.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/aermacchi-right-small-for-bbpress.jpg)

Cloner
ABQ, NM

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

There is one of those leaning against the shed around the corner from my house. It is in rough shape and i need an other project like a hole in thehead but I still lust after it everytime I walk the dogs.