Harley-Davidson Hummer

The Hummer was a motorcycle model manufactured by Harley-Davidson from 1955 to 1959. However, the name "Hummer" is now used generically to refer to all American-made single-cylinder two-stroke Harley-Davidson motorcycles manufactured from 1948 to 1966. [http://www.harleyhummer.com/ Harley Hummer . Com] ] These motorcycles were based on the DKW RT125, the drawings for which were taken from Germany as war reparations after World War II. [http://www.harleyhummerclub.org/history Harley Hummer Club - History] ] The United Kingdom and the Soviet Union also built RT125 copies, as the BSA Bantam and the MMZ M-1A Moskva respectively.

-125 (1947 - 1952)

Infobox Motorcycle
name = Harley-Davidson S-125


aka = "Hummer" (unofficial) American Lightweight (official) It's listed that way in the 1954 edition of the Enthusiast
manufacturer = Harley-Davidson Motor Company
parent_company = Harley-Davidson Inc.
production = 31,793
predecessor = none
successor = Model 165
class = economy
engine = single-cylinder two stroke 125cc
power = 3 hp
torque =
transmission = 3-speed foot shift
suspension = Front: girder with rubber springs
Rear: rigid
brakes = Front and rear drums
tires = 3.25" x 19"
rake_trail =
wheelbase = 50" (1270 mm)
length=
width=
height=
seat_height =
dry_weight = 170 lb
wet_weight =
fuel_capacity =
related = Model 165
Hummer
Super-10
Ranger
Pacer
Scat
Bobcat
similar = DKW RT125
BSA Bantam
MMZ M-1A MoskvaThe S-125 was introduced by Harley-Davidson in 1947 as a 1948 model.Mitchel, D. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 142 Publications International Limited, 1997 ISBN 0-7853-2514-X] The 125 cc two-stroke engine produced three horsepower, which was sent through a three-speed foot-shift transmission.Mitchel, D. "Motorcycle Classics" p. 62 Publications International Limited, 1997 ISBN 0-7853-0889-X] The front suspension used girder forks suspended by large rubber bands.

More than ten thousand S-125s were sold in the first seven months of 1947.

The rubber-band front suspension was replaced in 1951 by a telescopic fork referred to as "Tele-Glide".

Model 165 (1953 - 1959)

The Model 165 replaced the S-125 in 1953. The engine was increased in size to 165 cc.

Hummer (1955 - 1959)

The Hummer was added to Harley-Davidson's model line in 1955. It was a stripped-down basic model using a redesigned "B-model" engine with the old 125 cc capacity. It was named after Dean Hummer, a Harley dealer in Omaha, Nebraska who led national Harley two-stroke sales.

The Hummer was as basic as it could have been. It had magneto ignition and was sold without battery, electric horn, turn signals, or brake lights.

uper-10 (1960 - 1962)

The Model 165 and the Hummer were both replaced by the Super-10 in 1960. The Super-10 used a 165 cc version of the "B-model" engine previously used in 125 cc form in the Hummer.

Topper (1960-1965)

The Topper was a Harley-Davidson scooter that used the Super-10 engine.

Ranger (1962)

The Ranger was an off-road Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It had an extra-low final-drive ratio of 7.0:1 (12-tooth countershaft gear and 84-tooth rear sprocket) and no lighting system nor front fender. It is believed to have been built to use up their supply of 165 cc engines, which would not be needed for their other models. [http://www.harleyhummerclub.org/restore/chapter86/ Harley Hummer Club - Restoration Chapter 86] ]

Pacer (1962-1965)

The Pacer was the replacement for the Super-10. It used the newly-enlarged 175 cc B-model engine.

In 1963, one year into production, the frame of the Pacer was heavily redesigned. The new frame incorporated rear suspension through an "L"-shaped swingarm that actuated a spring mounted horizontally under the engine. [http://www.e-tabitha.com/HummerChart.htm Tiddlerosis Hummer Chart] ] [http://www.harleyhummerclub.org/restore/chapter48/legend/index.html Harley Hummer Club 1963 Pacer illustration] ] The seat and rear fender were supported on a subframe bolted to the main frame.

cat (1962-1965)

The Scat was a dual-purpose motorcycle based on the Pacer. It had a high-mounted front fender, high handlebars, softer springs supporting the seat, a "scrambler"-style high-mounted exhaust pipe, and street-legal off-road tyres. The extra-low final-drive ratio of the Ranger was available on the Scat as an option. The Scat also received the Pacer's new frame in 1963.

Bobcat (1966)

The Bobcat was the last of the RT125-based Harleys and the only one offered in 1966, its only year in production. Based on the '63-'65 Pacer frame, it had ABS resin bodywork moulded in one piece that covered the tank and the rear tyre and supported the seat.Wilson, H. "The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle" p. 74 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1995 ISBN 0 7513 0206 6] It was the only RT125-based Harley with a standard dual seat. [ [http://www.harleyhummerclub.org/restore/chapter09/index.html Harley Hummer Club - Chapter 9: Seats] ]

References