CafeRacer650
Dream it. Build it. Live it.
Hello all! It's been a really long time since I've been active on DTT and it's a shame, but I've just had too many projects that have kept we away from my KZ project. Anyway, I'm back and with a new acquisition.
A fellow DTT member and good friend recently contacted me about a couple vintage bikes that he had found up in IL. The one that was available for me was a 1974 Harley Davidson Sprint 350SS. I didn't even know that Harley made a bike like it, but after a bit of research I discovered how cool a bike it really was. It's essentially an Italian bike, made by Aermacchi, but branded as a Harley. The price was too good for me not to say yes, so I purchase it, and my buddy got one as well. I rarely purchase anything sight-unseen, but I think you'll understand as I continue the story. All I had to go on in regards to information was this pic:
As you can see, the bike is in pretty good condition, and it seemed like everything was there. What really got me hooked (besides the price) was the registration tag on the plate. If you look closely, you'll notice that the last time it had been registered was 1978. That was all I needed to see before I gave the thumbs up.
After a 1400 mile road trip, lots of Mt Dew, and very little sleep, the bike was in my driveway, and it was all that I thought it could have been.
100% stock. Factory tires, that were not even dry-rotted, which in my mind defies logic... and they are holding air beautifully. All the rubber on the cables is great. The paint, minus some nicks and scratches is in fantastic condition. Even the lenses weren't cracked and the original dealer stickers were still on it!!
My plans are to get it running with the least amount of molestation. I want to keep this thing as original as possible. So I suppose it's not considered a restoration, but it's not going to be a custom job so...
A fellow DTT member and good friend recently contacted me about a couple vintage bikes that he had found up in IL. The one that was available for me was a 1974 Harley Davidson Sprint 350SS. I didn't even know that Harley made a bike like it, but after a bit of research I discovered how cool a bike it really was. It's essentially an Italian bike, made by Aermacchi, but branded as a Harley. The price was too good for me not to say yes, so I purchase it, and my buddy got one as well. I rarely purchase anything sight-unseen, but I think you'll understand as I continue the story. All I had to go on in regards to information was this pic:
As you can see, the bike is in pretty good condition, and it seemed like everything was there. What really got me hooked (besides the price) was the registration tag on the plate. If you look closely, you'll notice that the last time it had been registered was 1978. That was all I needed to see before I gave the thumbs up.
After a 1400 mile road trip, lots of Mt Dew, and very little sleep, the bike was in my driveway, and it was all that I thought it could have been.
100% stock. Factory tires, that were not even dry-rotted, which in my mind defies logic... and they are holding air beautifully. All the rubber on the cables is great. The paint, minus some nicks and scratches is in fantastic condition. Even the lenses weren't cracked and the original dealer stickers were still on it!!
My plans are to get it running with the least amount of molestation. I want to keep this thing as original as possible. So I suppose it's not considered a restoration, but it's not going to be a custom job so...