Report From Italy
REPORT FROM ITALY
CARLO PERELLI
TWO NEWCOMERS
Production is well underway, at the Harley-Davidson Aermacchi works in Schiranna on the Lake Varese shores, of two new models now being introduced in the U.S., the 125-cc Scrambler and the 350-cc SS (Super Sprint).
The Scrambler is derived from the earlier Rapido and therefore features an orthodox 56 by 50 mm bore and stroke, 123.15-cc two-stroke engine with flywheel magneto ignition on the left, helical gear primary drive on the right, four-speed gearbox in unit, and 24-mm carburetor with twin paper element air filter. This powerplant develops 10 bhp at 6750 rpm with a 7.5:1 compression ratio.
Incidentally, the factory supplies detailed instructions and parts to raise the engine’s output to 14 bhp. The motorcycle presently is in competition. A prototype is fitted with the double cradle tubular frame and a slightly detuned version of the 20-bhp engine and five-speed gearbox from the road racing model.
The Scrambler will top 60 mph, somewhat less than the Rapido because the final drive ratio has been shortened from 3.0:1 to 3.21:1. Stronger and longer travel Ceriani suspension, as compared to the Rapido, has been fitted. In particular, the fork tube diameter is 5 mm larger. The upswept exhaust pipe doesn’t interfere with the rider’s leg. Wheels have 2.50-17 studded front and 3.00-17 knobby rear tires. Dry weight is 192 lb. The Scrambler is a shapely little bike; it is lively with a low fuel consumption rate.
The 350-cc SS is a welcome addition to the Harley-Davidson Aermacchi range after so much experience and many racing successes have been gained with the Golden Wing model, which first appeared in 1964. As on the racing model, the 350 SS has a 74 by 80 mm bore and stroke for 344.1 cc Pushrods operate the ohv system. Primary drive and dry clutch are on the right, as are the contact breaker points for the battery and coil ignition system. A 6-pt. capacity wet sump and a gear pump provide lubrication.
The gearbox has four ratios, identical to those used with the 250 S and SS. If one more speed is desired, however, the five-speed assembly can be fitted to the European models.
Carburetion is through a new 27-mm concentric Dellorto. Paper air filter is well concealed in the fuel tank, though this reduces tank capacity to 2.6 gal.
The exhaust pipe, in a rather unusual way, splits soon after coming off the head. Thus there are two silencers to hold noise at a low level without impairment of power. The engine develops 25 bhp at 7000 rpm-at the rear wheel. Compression ratio is 9:1. Power developed is good for top speed of 87 mph and 14.7 sec. on the standing start quartermile, even with the erect riding position dictated by the high, wide handlebar. This handlebar for U.S. buyers has forced adoption of a 35-tooth drive sprocket, while the Italian version, with clip-ons, goes well with five fewer teeth on its rear sprocket. The narrow handlebar configuration results in a top speed of 98 mph. Wheels are fitted with 3.25-19 front, and 3.50-18 rear tires. Weight is 309 lb.
STELLA ALPINA
Although first organized only three years ago, the Stella Alpina (named for edelweiss, an Alpine flower) has become the most famous of Italian rallies for its spirit and the beautiful mountain scenery. The spirit is about the same as the celebrated Elephant Rally in Germany. The Stella Alpina neither requires entry forms nor gives prizes-just a small badge-but there are the deep pleasures of spending some time in company of hundreds of dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts and seeing all the best machinery. There also is a magnificent ride on long and rough mountain roads.
The Stella Alpina was first held on the famous Stelvio Pass which, at 9000 ft., is one of Europe’s highest. However, since last year the venue is at the Col de Sommeiller, at 10,000 ft., reached by 13 miles of road from Bardonecchia, near the French border. This road is claimed to be Europe’s highest. Not content to have attained such record height, some participants, including many Englishmen, usually go farther on a snow covered rock path to gain another 960 ft.!
This year, the Stella Alpina was held in splendid weather. The event attracted over 300 riders from nine countries, England, Germany, France, Sweden, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway and, of course, Italy. Riders were mainly on large displacement machines, but a few appeared on the more agile trials and scrambles type lightweights, some even on 50-cc models!
From the top of the road it was fascinating to watch the long columns of riders coming up like a lazy snake, an eye to the hazards and the other to the beautiful scenery. Also fascinating was the “headlamp parade” of the previous evening, with the participants creating magical effects riding on a path in the pine woods around Bardonecchia. This event, which really does good to the motorcycling cause, is organized by the BMW club of Turin.
ITALIAN TRIAL CHAMPIONS
The Italian Trial Championship this year was comprised of only three events, two held at Bologna, and another at Piacenza. There was a fourth event, at Reggio Emilia, but because the organizers made mistakes in measuring some sections—declared to be shorter than they really were-there was only one finisher, and lots of protests, so the Italian Federation cancelled the meeting. Title winners were Daniele Perere (Zundapp 50), Pierluigi Rottigni (Morini 100), Giovanni Collina (Morini 125) and Carlo Moscheni (Güera 175).
LAVERDA SPEED KIT
To improve the performances of their 650 and 750 twin-cylinder models, Laverda soon wül market a speed kit, including high performance camshaft, domed pistons to raise compression ratio, and other paraphernalia. This material of course wiU be available to U.S. enthusiasts.
AGOSTINI DREAM
Whüe passing from one grand prix success to another, Agostini is gaining popularity in another field, magazine picture stories which in Italy frequently lead to movie fame. In fact, the biggest Italian specialty magazine, Sogno is publishing a photo-novel, “The 125th Lap,” in which Ago plays the role of a talented newcomer to motorcycle racing with aU the usual “complications” of the popular love stories that girls everywhere like so much. Sogno means “Dream.” ■
