Harley-Davidson Baja 100

Harley-Davidson Baja 100
	Two 1970 Baja 100s
Manufacturer	Aermacchi
Production	1969–1972 (model years 1970–1973)
Assembly	Varese, Italy
Class	Off-road
Engine	98 cc (5.98 cu in) 2-stroke single
Bore / stroke	50 mm × 50 mm (1.97 in × 1.97 in)
Compression ratio	9.5:1
Power	12.6 bhp (9.4 kW) @ 8,000 rpm
Transmission	5 speed
Tires	Metzeler front: 3.00 × 21, rear: 3.50 × 18
Wheelbase	52 in (1,300 mm)
Dimensions	L: 78.5 in (1,990 mm); W: 34 in (860 mm);
Weight	185 lb (84 kg) (dry);
Fuel capacity	2.5 US gal (9.5 L; 2.1 imp gal), including 1 US qt (0.95 L) reserve.

The Harley-Davidson Baja 100 was a small displacement off-road motorcycle made for Harley-Davidson in Italy by Aermacchi, which was 50% owned by Harley-Davidson at the time. It was one of Harley-Davidson's attempts to enter the small displacement off-road motorcycle market. It was built in Aermacchi's Varese, Italy factory.

It had a 98 cc (6.0 cu in) two-stroke, single cylinder engine with five speed transmission, derived from the current two-stroke production, mostly Aletta and Aletta d'Oro off the shelf parts by reducing bore from 56 mm to 50 mm.

The only purpose-made part was the frame to accommodate for the front holder for the cylinder head and the air filter box.

Production runs

The first production run started in September 1969 and ended just before August, traditionally the time of the year when factories were closed for holidays and consequently a new model year introduced.

Production

1969: 853 MY ’70 MSR
1970: 569 MSR MY ’70 MSR
1970: 1204 MSR MY ’71
1971: 704 MY ’72 SR and 200 MY ’72 MSR
1972: 1008 MY 73 MSR

Production runs of 1973 are not known even if some MY 74 models seem to exist but this means that there have been no changes after MY73.

As a rule frame numbers (which are repeated on the engine) start with 8B on the MSR (Competition Model) and 8C for the "street model" which had lights, muffler and a high front fender. But for some early "street models" the MSR frame numbering may apply.

A major overhaul took place end of 1972 when the engine was fitted with a new aluminum cylinder and carburetor, and gear shift on the right side of the engine. There were other minor differences such as the rear fork or the missing vent on the tank.

The Baja had a racing history and won the Baja 1000 in 1971 with the official Harley-Davidson team in its class. In that race Harley entered some 14 Baja models, of which 8 finished in the top 10, including the race winner.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Wright 1987, p. 89.
^ ^a ^b Davis 1970, p. 59.

Works cited

Davis, Jim (July 1970), "New Trail Bikes: Tough, Versatile, and Easy-Riding", Popular Science, pp. 58–59
Wright, David K. (1987) [1983], "Chapter Three: Iron", The Harley-Davidson Motor Company: An Official Eighty-Year History (Second ed.), Motorbooks International, pp. 46–97, ISBN 0-87938-245-7

[FOOTNOTEWright198789-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Wright 1987, p. 89.

[FOOTNOTEDavis197059-2] Davis 1970, p. 59.

[1]

[2]

Production runs

See also

References

Works cited