Harley-Davidson two-strokes

Hard-Deck · 01-31-2010, 10:48 AM

Thanks up front for any input.

I'm thinking about picking up a 1976 H-D SS 175 to tinker with. It's all there, all original, no respray, runs, pulls hard.

I've seen suggestions that these bikes are worth $800-1450. I have no idea how to price it.

Also, I'm of the understanding it's an Italian design with Yamaha engine design.

What can you all tell me?

Snapper

Hard-Deck · 01-31-2010, 10:55 AM

BeyGon · 01-31-2010, 11:01 AM

Aermacchi Motorcycles made in Italy. To each his own, I wouldn't buy that one unless it was dirt cheap. Some they made would be nice to have. The 250 single racer they made for Harley would be nice. Some of their road racers would be nice.

James Brown · James Brown's Garage

yes thats from the AMF days, they tried a lot of ways to make some money. Kinda funky hodge-poge bike but should be worth something if restore, most are in scrap heaps.

m21sniper · 01-31-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapper33

Thanks up front for any input.

I'm thinking about picking up a 1976 H-D SS 175 to tinker with. It's all there, all original, no respray, runs, pulls hard.

I've seen suggestions that these bikes are worth $800-1450. I have no idea how to price it.

Also, I'm of the understanding it's an Italian design with Yamaha engine design.

What can you all tell me?

Snapper

My mom had one years ago. She liked it. Got rid of it when she got rid of the man that it came with. LOL...

EarlyPorsche · 01-31-2010, 01:16 PM

My best friend had one. There wasn't really a reason for owning it over the competitor dirt bikes. They don't have amazing brakes, suspension, or really anything noteworthy. The engines are pretty cantankerous. Installing a Chevy coil helped get it to run better but really it just wasn't the best bike to own. I wouldn't buy one for a couple hundred let alone $800 but thats from me witnessing one first hand. Maybe they aren't all the same as what my friend had so you may find an excellent one.

Hard-Deck · 02-05-2010, 03:37 AM

Well, I contacted the seller and went to his house to take a look.

All-in-all, the motorcycle was in good shape. Not showroom shape, but everything was there, complete, tight. It started, ran, worked well. There were some cosmetic flaws, but normal for an original non-resprayed bike. The seat was torn, paint faded slightly.

I explained to the seller the bike's history and how it was built in the AMF days so it wasn't a real collector, but it was somewhat unusual. The BlueBook listed $800 to $1200. His list price was an astounding $2,200, I offered $800, he responded at $1,800.

I said, "Well, looks like we're not going to come to a selling price agreement. I hope my low-book price was not offensive. You've still got your bike and everything's good".

He shook my hand and I left.

No deal.

LakeCleElum · 02-05-2010, 07:45 AM

This thing is not a collectors item or desirable......I wouldn't pay more than 4-$500, and only that if I wanted something to putt around the neighborhood with......I belong to a vintage m/c club with 600 members and a collection of old bikes that now is pared down from 22 to 15.........

asphaltgambler · 02-06-2010, 09:04 AM

I really like them
Understand that in their day, they were on par with other makes on small displacememt street and dual purpose bikes. The full on motorcross 250 made more power than any other bike in it's class
.Nice examples sell for $4500 and up even in today's market.
I think this bike is priced right and is. ZZretra good investment.
They still cost more to restore than they are worth

BeyGon · 02-06-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

I really like them
Understand that in their day, they were on par with other makes on small displacememt street and dual purpose bikes. The full on motorcross 250 made more power than any other bike in it's class
.Nice examples sell for $4500 and up even in today's market.
I think this bike is priced right and is. ZZretra good investment.
They still cost more to restore than they are worth

I haven't heard of their "good" motocrosser, I know the Sprint was a good short tracker/TT bike and they made roadracers but if you have more info about the high output motocrosser I would like to see it. Sorry, just haven't heard of them, doesn't mean they didn't exist.