66 and 68 HD Sprints, CL, new haven, crusty

[Turin]

Tonto was also involved in the Paton .

Sure your not thinking of the Lone Ranger Kemosabe?

[Lannis]

Ok, does anyone remember the H-D Scat?

I had not seen one until about 3 years ago when someone offered to sell me one. Interesting bike. I didn't buy, though.

We just called all them old DKW-based two-strokes "Hummers", I think ...

Lannis

[oldbike54]

Sure your not thinking of the Lone Ranger Kemosabe?

 Tonto wasn't all that fond of the Lone Ranger , he just tolerated him because his sister was married to the masked guy 

 Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

We just called all them old DKW-based two-strokes "Hummers", I think ...

Lannis

Yep. Never heard the term Scat.. except for uuh, never mind. 

[oldbike54]

 Trivia questions , what were the later 125 CC Aermacchi built models called , and what were the scooters built post war called ?

 Dusty

[Bob Wegman]

Leggaro, I think.

[guzzimatic]

Rapido was a 2 stroke enduro Harley

[oldbike54]

Rapido was a 2 stroke enduro Harley

 Pure street version also , pretty quick and good handling , if a bit crude . The Japanese bikes all had oil injection , the Rapido still employed pre-mix .

 Now , what about the scooter ?

 Dusty

[Dharma Bum]

Dusty,  I know you're proud of your heritage but it's "Tonti".

[oldbike54]

Dusty,  I know you're proud of your heritage but it's "Tonti".

 Boy , ya make one typo ...

 Wait , you are aware of Indian Motocycles ...?

 Dusty

[tazio]

Trivia questions , what were the later 125 CC Aermacchi built models called , and what were the scooters built post war called ?

 Dusty

How much later? My very first motorcycle was a  1975 TX125 Harley, no "name" given.
Next I had an SX175, same deal, no real "name" given..

[oldbike54]

How much later? My very first motorcycle was a  1975 TX125 Harley, no "name" given.
Next I had an SX175, same deal, no real "name" given..

 Well yes , but I was thinking mid-late '60's on the 125 . Rapido was the answer . My first real motorcycle bud had one , black and silver , rode like a buckboard .

 No guesses on the scooter ?

 

[tazio]

Cheated and looked it up, oop's
Now how many of you have ridden a Harley-Davidson Snowmobile!??

[oldbike54]

Cheated and looked it up, oop's
Now how many of you have ridden a Harley-Davidson Snowmobile!??

 Known in street parlance as the Snow Shovel 

 Dusty

[tazio]

 

[Bob Wegman]

Cheated and looked it up, oop's
Now how many of you have ridden a Harley-Davidson Snowmobile!??

Ski Daddler or were they the AMF model.  Hirth Engine maybe

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well yes , but I was thinking mid-late '60's on the 125 . Rapido was the answer . My first real motorcycle bud had one , black and silver , rode like a buckboard .

 No guesses on the scooter ?

Are you talking about the Topper?

[oldbike54]

Are you talking about the Topper?

 Yep .

 I have a Sprint story . Somehow two of them have crossed paths with me , both 250 CC early open fin versions . Didn't really have any money in either one , and didn't have the desire to put any into either one . The first , well , sold it to a service buddy for probably $75.00 , remember , this was in 1973 or so , when that was still enough money for a weekend in , well , Biloxi  The second ,in 1992 was traded in on a BMW to the old dealer in Tulsa . The fella that owned the place wanted it for his collection , and was offering good money . Was a cute little thing, someone had painted a flying pig on its tank . Delivered it to the dealer in a PU . and several old time Guzzi and Beemer guys that were hanging out gathered up and were reminiscing over it . Lots of comments like "Best Harley ever" , or , "Yep , only HD I'd ever own"  The dealer had an open house just a month or so later , and would usually show off some of his extensive collection of old Nortons , Ducatis , MV Agustas , and other exotica  . Yep , right out in front for all to see set the little Spaghetti Harlette for all to admire , flying pig and all 

 Dusty

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

What could have been (after Aermmacchi):

[Lannis]

What could have been (after Aermmacchi):

Wait a minute.  I just read the small print, and it says that the Harley engineers considered the Moto Morini V-twin was "slow, a bad vibrator, and mechanically defective". 

And THIS from a Harley engineer of the 60's and the later AMF days?   The Morini must have had only one piston installed or something.   Any Morini was twice the motorcycle that any Harley of that day was.   Sounds like rank xenophobia to me .... not that Harley has been a stranger to that malady over the years ....

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well, Lannis.. Harley engineers of that era had plenty of experience with

slow, a bad vibrator, and mechanically defective". 

You'd think they'd know..<shrug>

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Wait a minute.  I just read the small print, and it says that the Harley engineers considered the Moto Morini V-twin was "slow, a bad vibrator, and mechanically defective". 

And THIS from a Harley engineer of the 60's and the later AMF days?   The Morini must have had only one piston installed or something.   Any Morini was twice the motorcycle that any Harley of that day was.   Sounds like rank xenophobia to me .... not that Harley has been a stranger to that malady over the years ....

Lannis

Someone probably didn't want to have to deal with yet another bunch of Italians, so sabotaged the test by pulling a plug wire. 

[Lannis]

Someone probably didn't want to have to deal with yet another bunch of Italians, so sabotaged the test by pulling a plug wire. 

If I had to bet a pension check, I'd bet it on THIS!   

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

One day late autumn I was riding my Morini out near Clear Spring, MD. Behind me at the intersection of MD56 and MD68 was some sort of cruiser-ish Harley. I pulled onto 68 slowly but then just for fun, "wound it out" through the gears.  I looked in my mirrors and the Harley was waaay back there but coming up fast. I held it around 80 mph until the speed limit dropped to 30 and he finally caught up. Once past the 30 zone, I wound it out again, but he was ready this time and stuck with me. This continued into Williamsport where we stopped for a red light. He pulled next to me, obviously perturbed and said: "Your crotch-rocket ain't so hot now is it?" The look on his face was priceless when I replied: "Oh, I don't know. I think it does pretty well for a 350!"   

[Lannis]

This continued into Williamsport where we stopped for a red light. He pulled next to me, obviously perturbed and said: "Your crotch-rocket ain't so hot now is it?"

The fact that there are people that would even SAY a stupid, challenging, wish-I-had-a-scrotum thing like this, and that many of them that DO say it seem to ride that brand, is the reason I don't own one and have almost no acquaintances who do.

It's not just your imagination.   I can't even conceive someone on a Moto Guzzi or Laverda or BSA coming on like that to someone at a stoplight.

Lannis

[tazio]

Dang, Lannis.You cold.
At some time must have caught someone with a doo rag pissin' in your Cheerios.
 

[Lannis]

Dang, Lannis.You cold.
At some time must have caught someone with a doo rag pissin' in your Cheerios.
 

No, really.   Ask Charlie about his trip down to Scottsville last summer ....

I've been riding since 1970.   MOST of my interactions with other motorcycle riders, of all brands, have been good ones.   Part of the reason I ride is the interactions I have at overlooks, at lunch, at rallies, with other like minded people, on any kind of bike.

But every single threatening, get-back-whip dangling, over-the-top, small minded, I'll show YOU, what-do-you-want-damn-you interaction I've had over the years on the road involving another motorcyclist has been with someone on a big Vtwin, trying to make up for some sort of perceived lack of something.

What am I supposed to think?   I had 3 big twins, I enjoy the bikes, I don't have anything against them.   Am I supposed to ignore a lifetime of experience so that I won't be accused of "prejudice" or "Harley-bashing" (gasp)?   Just stating it as a fact of life.   Don't know whether it's "cold" or who's been pissing where, just know what I've seen.

Lannis

[Aaron D.]

Cheated and looked it up, oop's
Now how many of you have ridden a Harley-Davidson Snowmobile!??

Last year near here, there were 3 Harley Davidson snowmobiles for sale in a yard. That makes 3 that I have seen in the metal.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Someone probably didn't want to have to deal with yet another bunch of Italians, so sabotaged the test by pulling a plug wire. 

  After working for a big company for 30 years, I'd say you are probably right, Charlie.