Sharp looking bike!

Harley -- as well as numerous privateers --

campaigned these beasties in flat track, TT and road racing very successfully.  If you watch very

carefully, there is a very quick scene of one

of these being unloaded from Mert Lawills'

van (I think it was Mr. Lawills' van) in the

all-time great motorcycling movie,

"On Any Sunday."

They're still around in vintage racing venues...

Old factory racers often sell for really big bucks!

Note tach drive directly off of the crank,

and left-side kickstart.

Fancy finned sidecover marks it as

one of the later models...

This is THE classic shape for a motorcycle

tank, in my humble opinion.  There's just

something very basic and pleasing about it.

Sort of like the old Greeves Hawkstone

Moto-Cross and scrambler tanks,

among others.

The other side of the tank, and a view of the

'Square-slide' Del' Orto carb used on

the later models. 

Many of the Sprints had a large 'pocket'

welded into the tank, to allow the aircleaner

to fit above the carb.  I believe there was

usually a cannister around the element,

but this one looks very racy out in the open.

Probably breathes better, too!

Tach and speedo are, I believe, a little

optimistic.  Most bikes' of the

period were, truth be told.

But with judicious tuning, these little

mills could produce some impressive

results...

You can still find vendors who offer

hop-up parts and tuning services for

the Aermacchi singles.

John made up a color-coded copy of

the wiring diagram for this bike -- always a

good idea for ease of loom construction or

troubleshooting.

He offers these for sale -- if you're interested,

you can contact him at:

johnmarkleonard@gmail.com