A unique single-cylinder, born in Italy and raised on Harleys! Aermacchi SPRINT (my favorite car)

The one and only old car that combines Italian passion and American soul.... HARLEY-DAVIDSON AERMACCHI SPRINT. This time I would like to introduce my favorite car, SPRINT350!

HARLEY-DAVIDSON AERMACCHI SPRINT350 (1972)

What is AERMACCHI?

AERMACCHI is an Italian company originally known as an aircraft manufacturer. In the 1950s, the company entered motorcycle manufacturing and attracted attention with its lightweight, high-performance single-cylinder models. Harley-Davidson of the United States fell in love with its technical capabilities. In 1960, Harley acquired a 50% stake in Aermacchi and began joint development of small-displacement sports models. Thus was born the "Sprint" series. The Sprint 350, marketed under the Harley name, was introduced as a "lightweight sport" model aimed at young Americans. It was highly regarded for its lightness, which was different from large V-twins, and was used for a wide range of purposes, from commuting to racing. The Harley is an indispensable part of the history of Harley and the history of European motorcycles!

SPRINT350 (SS350) catalog

AERMACCHI HARLEY-DAVIDSON" is engraved on the tank of his car

Reason for purchase

Originally...I wasn't looking for an AERMACCHI because I wanted one,,, I was actually planning to buy a reverse-change Royal Enfield and fully customize it. At the beginning of this year, I was introduced to a Royal Enfield that looked to be in good condition, and I went to the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture to check out the car. While I was there, I went to visit a motorcycle shop (Speed Buggy) that I had originally wanted to visit... We had a fateful encounter. I was very interested in it, although I only saw it that day ・Price was 3-4 times of Royal Enfield, which I was originally planning to buy ・I couldn't forget this beautiful figure even after going home ・Investigating on the Internet, there were no stores selling it and I didn't know the market price ・My friend who went to see it with me encouraged me to buy it on line ・The following weekend, I visited Speed Buggy alone again. The following weekend, I visited Speed Buggy by myself ・Test rode it ・I ended up buying it right away... Ah, yes, it was love at first sight lol "Harley's strong brand power" "Aermacchi's rarity" "Italian design" "Unique heartbeat..." "And I am 'everyone's single cylinder' lol". These factors taken together... I would regret if I didn't buy one! I mean, isn't this the bike for me? I made an instant decision as a result of my strong misconception that this was the bike for me. Photo of our first meeting (at the speed baby carriage)[/caption]

The transversely mounted engine is one of Aermacchi's unique features!

Custom points of interest

This Aermacchi Sprint was originally restored and customized by an Aermacchi enthusiast engineer living in Italy. It was then imported to Japan and went through several owners before coming to me. The carburetor was changed to Mikuni's acceleration pump, and the acceleration is very good! The electrical system has been changed to 12V, so there is no need to worry about the electrical system, which is often the case with old cars. After I received the car, the seat was changed to an Italian Giuliani Cobra seat (welded in place), a sea bar was installed to match, and the weak rear fender was reinforced. Especially for the seat, a thin and long Cobra seat was chosen with the image of connecting from the white line on the tank. The blinkers were on the Bang Bang 90 when we purchased the car, but they were damaged by vibration... We took this opportunity to change to a step-in blinker! I like this blinker a lot!

I'm not sure how much is stock and how much is custom... [/caption

Once I had it, I changed the seat, blinkers, sea bars, and grips!

(Main custom parts) - Headlight: Aermacchi stock meter integrated headlight (probably one-off) - Muffler: Marnie-style curved muffler (one-off) - Carburetor: With Mikuni acceleration pump - Electrical: Changed to 12V - Tail light: For Japanese trail bikes - Blinkers: Step-in type (one-off) - Seat: Cobra seat by Giuliani (welded and installed) - Sea bar (one-off) - Rear fender reinforcement

Headlights with integrated gauges stand out with their Italian design!

One-off Marnie-style curved muffler

Mikuni carburetor with acceleration pump

After much deliberation, the blinkers were chosen to be step-in type!

The white seat was chosen to connect with the white lines on the tank! (Vintage Cobra seat from Giuliani, Italy)

A dare-see bar was installed to reinforce the rear fender, which was vulnerable at the time of purchase!

Struggles

Struggling with the quirky kick start... Three months have passed since the vehicle was delivered, and I'm getting the hang of it, but it's not easy to kick-start because it's a left kick... I have owned many vehicles in the past that only had a kick start, but the difficulty is exceptional. However, Mr. Iwata, the owner of Speed Buggy (a store that specializes in Aermacchi), the motorcycle shop where we purchased the bike, said that when he sees how easy it is to get it started... I felt I lacked training.... Now, it will be difficult to procure parts in case of breakdowns, but I will throw it all to Mr. Iwata, Speed Buggy Iwata, and have him do something about it. lol Instagram "SPEEDBUGGY motorcycle service" https://www.instagram.com/spbms

The kick pedal is on the left side... Kick start is quite difficult!

It will be difficult to procure parts in the event of a breakdown, but we plan to throw it to our trusted bike shop! lol

You can see it at the Webic Festival on 11/15!

On a different note, 11/15 (Sunday) is the Webic Festival in Odaiba! In this festival... I will be holding a collaborative event with "Everybody's Single Cylinder", which I manage, called "Everybody's Single Cylinder Festival"! 100 motorcycles related to "Everybody's Single Cylinder" will be displayed at a special venue. From single-cylinder to four-cylinder, old to current, stock to custom... It is a festival of fashionable bikes that look great on the street! Among them, my beloved HARLEY-DAVIDSON AERMACCHI SPRINT 350, which I introduced this time, will be on display. If you are interested, please visit the Webic Festival "Single Cylinder Festival for Everyone" venue! Webic Festival 2025 in Odaiba https://www.webike.net/special/festival2025_odaiba Instagram "Single Cylinder for Everyone" https://www.instagram.com/minnano_tankito

See you at the Webic Festival "Single Cylinder for Everyone" venue!
Photo by @yano.apits