Classic Bike Guide

Aermacchi

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Aermacchi began life as an aircraft manufactur­er at Varese in northern Italy before the start of the First World War and turned to motorcycle production after the Second World War, producing small capacity motorcycle­s for the Italian market. In 1960, Harley-Davidson bought half of Aermacchi’s motorcycle division as it searched for a source of small capacity bikes. Aermacchi remained largely independen­t until 1973, when H-D bought the rest of the company and produced a range of two-stroke singles. This was before selling out to Cagiva, who used the leftover H-D/Aermacchi range to establish its foothold in the Italian market, with motorcycle­s continuing to be made at Varese.

Chimera

172cc OHV single || 300lb || 60mph || 1956-1960 A delightful period piece, the Chimera saw Aermacchi adopt full enclosure with more success than the British, and the bike has a distinctly 1950s space-age look. Only a few hundred were made, and more have been imported from Italy as classics than were ever brought in officially.

Prices

low £3500 || high £6000

SS/SST/SX 125/175/250/350

124/174/242/341 cc two-stroke single || 280lb || 70-90mph || 1974-1982 A range of rorty two-stroke singles badged as Harley-Davidson and sold alongside Sportsters and Electra Glides. Not especially popular, the singles were good-looking little machines with a fair turn of speed and good handling – but suffered badly from poor quality control and an indifferen­t finish, rusting quickly. Parts are scarce, but a good one will turn heads, with the trail bike versions the best bet if you can find one. Aermacchi also made a tiddler X90 version

Prices

low £1000 || high £3500

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