1968 Harley Sprint 250!

[1962siia]

Ok so I finally pulled the trigger on a vintage bike. My main goal is to have this thing ready for the Moto Melee. It runs fine and looks great from 5ft so just need some lights and a little finesse at the dmv and all should be good. Super excited to have an old bike to play with!

 

[oobus]

Cool! My first new bike was a Harley Davidson Baja 100. Road the shit out of that thing, even though the suspension was super soft.

It was a two stroke, is this?

 

[bpw]

When is the Melee this year, maybe I will finally be able to go....

 

[GPzPop]

that is a cool scooter ! how easy is it to source parts?

 

[Eric B]

That's pretty cool. :thumbup

 

[bpw]

Is that one of the Aeromachi ones?

Cool little bikes, look like a ton of fun.

 

[1962siia]

Hey all yes this is an Aermacchi Sprint. It’s a 250cc 4t horizontal single. It has a right side shifter that is 1up 3 down. It’s pretty weird to ride and I’m still not used to it. I keep down shifting thinking I’m hitting the rear brake. :teeth

It was originally a street bike but the guy I bought it from cleaned it up and made it a dirt bike. I guess these were used for flat track racing. I’m planning to get minimal lights and horn to get it registered on the street and then I’ll build up some better wheels and hopefully improve the breaks before the Moto Melee which is in late June.

 

[Slow Goat]

That’s a baby flat-tracker! I had one just like it in 1974. That’s in amazing condition.

 

[1962siia]

That’s a baby flat-tracker! I had one just like it in 1974. That’s in amazing condition.

Thanks. Right now it’s a five footer really. Get much closer and you start to notice stuff. But those things will get replaced and it really is in a good starting place. I’m hoping to swing by the Motoitalia in Petaluma today to see what goodies they might have. Pretty cool that one of the best Aermacchi parts places is local!

 

[OldGuy]

So cool. A guy at our high school rode a black one, back in the day. I don't think his was this clean, and that was - cough - 40+ years ago.

Remember - in a panic, jam both feet down on their levers! You will definitely activate the rear brake :laughing

 

[berth]

Hey all yes this is an Aermacchi Sprint. It’s a 250cc 4t horizontal single. It has a right side shifter that is 1up 3 down. It’s pretty weird to ride and I’m still not used to it. I keep down shifting thinking I’m hitting the rear brake. :teeth

Looks sharp.

That mixed control, I guess you get used to it, not sure. My one ride on a similar era Harley was just terrible, but it was really short.

 

[SFMCjohn]

Such a cool bike! :thumbup

... you could do the Sheetiron AND the Moto Melee ... :laughingarty

 

[1962siia]

Thanks John! I think I'll use the other black and orange bike for the sheetiron, but I suspect you are correct that this one would make it! How about a Vintage Baja trip? :teeth

 

[1962siia]

OK so I swung by MotoItalia today to talk to them, get some parts, and get some info about the bike. This shop is great. Lots of parts and bikes and so packed you can barely get in the place! The guy knew my bike so got some good info and he sold me a tail light for the bike. He sent me over to the Penngrove independent Harley shop where I ordered a headlight and got a nice looking brake light switch. Headlight will be in next week, but I was able to mount the tail light and I welded a nut on the frame to mount the switch.

The guy at Moto Italia tuned my bike for the previous owner, last week, and he said my engine is in great shape and that all I have to do is the fun stuff to make it the way I want it. Got signed on to the MotoMelee yahoo group and requested my entry for the ride. Its ON!

 

[1962siia]

Just ordered new tires. After hemming and hawing for several hours I went shinko sr241 tires. 2.75-19 front and 4.0-18 rear. They were cheap enough that I didn't mind giving them a try. Hope I like them. Planning to order new rims today and have new stainless spokes on order too. Pics when everything comes in!

 

[SFMCjohn]

After hemming and hawing for several hours I went shinko sr241 tires.

:thumbup:laughing

... vintage Sheetiron/BARF Baja, here we come! arty

 

[Eric B]

Cool stuff Daniel!

 

[1962siia]

Playing around with the bike today. I removed the ultra cheap bars that were on it and installed some protapers with 2” rocks risers. I’m much happier with the way these bars feel. Still waiting for the headlight to show up. Local shop says next Thursday most likely.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Playing around with the bike today. I removed the ultra cheap bars that were on it and installed some protapers with 2” rocks risers. I’m much happier with the way these bars feel. Still waiting for the headlight to show up. Local shop says next Thursday most likely.

New bars look fantastic. It really is a cool little bike and HOOT to ride. :thumbup

You need tassels though.... more tassels :teeth

 

[1962siia]

Nothing beats having a personal moto stylist on speed dial. I went back to the black grips. You were right CJ. :thumbup

:laughing

Just took one inch off each side of the bars. Much better now.