New Motocrosser From Harley-Davidson
NEW MOTOCROSSER FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Preview
The H-D Boys Go First-Class All The Way With Their Limited-Production 250
It's been no secret that Harley-Davidson has been fussing with a new lightweight designed for the 250 motocross market. They've shown up at quite a few events around the country for prototype testing and evaluation; now the first limited production models are rolling off an assembly line in Milwaukee.
Although it’s late in the year, the new limited production MXers will be designated as 1975 models, of which only 100 will be built. These will probably be sold to specific dealers, who will in turn mount them with selected riders at events in their locales. H-D will then receive valuable feedback from the machinery and riders, which will help determine and finalize any major production plans that HarleyDavidson may have for the bike next year. Kawasaki used a similar plan in developing its motocross line two years ago.
Obviously a first-class effort from the ground up, the new H-D utilizes a number of after-market suppliers for various components.
Champion manufactured the frame and swinging arm from chrome moly steel to H-D specs; welds are impeccable. Wheelbase is 57 in. Double downtubes cradle the piston port engine built by Aermacchi, which is based on the SX250 Enduro engine with racing modification. A chrome bore is featured, along with a forged alloy piston. Ignition is a CD unit made by Dansi, and 34mm carburetion is provided by a
DellOrto. Like the SX model, the MX will use a five-speed Shima transmission, with primary kickstarting as a bonus.
Rear suspension is rather interesting. Red Wing built the air/oil units for Harley, and 7 in. of axle travel is claimed. Up front, they’ve gone with Showa 7.1-in. fork assemblies; there are even cast aluminum triple clamps.
Yokohama Super Digger motocross tires are used front and rear, and are mounted on Sun shoulderless rims. Hubs are quite light in weight and have held up well in testing.
The rear brake is a disc unit designed by H-D that utilizes an Airheart master cylinder with a caliper made by H&H. The airbox and side covers are formed from ABS plastic; the fuel tank comes from Whittaker and the fenders from Preston Petty. Right down to the Magura control levers and tapered roller bearings in the steering head, this one is serious. There’s lots of quality and thought here.
A brief ride whetted our appetite even more. Suspension is plush, sitting and standing positions for the rider seem about perfect, and power should be right in there with the best of them. Power delivery is Bultaco-like: not explosive, yet strong and smooth. Steering response and overall geometry are spoton according to test rider feedback. We’ll let you know soon when we give one a real going-over. But, from outward appearances, it looks like Harley-Davidson may have a winner on its hands.
