Contenu
In the 1960s and 70s, U.S. manufacturer Harley-Davidson imported some Italian Aermacchi bikes and sold them under the Harley name. The first to be imported in 1961 was the S. This light and agile little bike was popular in Italy and used for daily transportation. However, compared to U.S. bikes it was a lightweight and didnt prove durable enough for most users. In addition, while the 250cc engine was considered a serious engine in Italy, it wasnt in the United States, where many kids motorcycles had engines that size. Ss can still be found today and are popular in clubs like the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA).
Production and Design
Produced by Aermacchi in Italy and imported by Harley-Davidson between the years of 1961 and 1968, the S was a small, compact and lightweight bike that maneuvered well and was quite agile. It weighed in at only 271 pounds.
Speed
Harley-Davidson claimed the Ss power was 21 hp at 7,250 rpm. According to Motorcycle Classics, "Cycle World" tested the S H in 1962, which produced a 0-to-60-mph time of 15 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 19.2 seconds, with a top speed of 76 mph.
Engine
The engine for the S was a 250cc horizontal four-stroke. This proved to be too small for U.S. users and was eventually replaced by a 350cc engine on the SS model. The S averaged between 45 and 55 miles per gallon, explaining why it was a popular commuter motorcycle in Italy.
Price
Retail price for a 1967 S, according to Motorcycle Classics, was $750; a cherry S will run between $1,800 to $4,000 as of October 2010. Many Ss, however, require partial to full restoration because of their age.
