The sport of motocross really took off in the United States in 1972 and by 1974 Harley-Davidson decided that they would try for a piece of the action. They created their MX250 competition model made in Italy by Aermacchi fitted with a 243cc two-stroke engine. Only 900 of these bikes are believed to have been made making them something of a rarity.
Fast Facts
- When the sport of motocross was launched into popularity in the United States in 1972 Harley-Davison took an interest and looked at fielding a competitive motorcycle and factory team.
- In 1974 Harley-Davidson took full control of Italian motorcycle maker Aermacchi, and their range of small capacity two-stroke motorcycles were seen to be a good foundation on which to build a Harley-Davidson motocross bike.
- The Harley-Davidson MX250 models were some of the models that resulted, and a competition victory was obtained in the 1975 Baja 500.
- Sales of the motocross MX250 were disappointing and as a result only around 900 of these bikes were made – making them something of a rarity.
- A 1978 Harley-Davidson MX250 is for sale at time of publication on Bring a Trailer.
Back in the creative 1970’s, a time of flared pants and platform soled shoes, a time when actor John Travolta was strutting his stuff in movies like “Saturday Night Fever”, and “Grease”, Harley-Davidson decided to be creatively experimental and embarked on an entry into Motocross.
Motocross was a sport that had its origins in Britain from around 1924 where it was originally referred to as motorcycle scrambling. It would take until 1972 for the Americans to fully embrace the sport. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) launched the AMA Motocross Championships with the first event being held American style at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
A gladiatorial spectacle was hoped for and was indeed delivered. Motocross was sort of like dirt track speedway interspersed with jumps – like short versions of Evel Knievel‘s aerial excursions.
Motocross just oozed with oil, gasoline, mud, and perhaps a little bit of blood from skinned knuckles and ground impacts. But it was an inspiring spectacle for the 1970’s crowds who flocked to see it – and that inspiration was not lost on Harley-Davidson’s leadership. Evel Knievel rode Harley-Davidsons, taking them to unimaginable heights – perhaps Harley Davidson could become famous as a maker of Motocross bikes?
In 1974 Harley-Davidson acquired full control of Italian motorcycle maker Aermacchi and in so doing acquired designs and manufacturing facilities in Italy for the production of small capacity two-stroke motorcycle engines, and the bikes those engines fitted into.
Among those smaller capacity two stroke powered motorcycles the most significant was the MX250 which debuted in 1974.
The MX250 gained a significant competition victory in the 1975 Baja 500, ridden by a competitor named Bruce Ogilvie. Harley-Davidson decided to dip their toes into motocross and fielded a factory team with Rex Staten riding for them.
The 1975 MX250 motocross bike was updated in 1978 and remained in production for only one year.
This bike was fitted with a 243cc Aermacchi two-stroke engine mated to a five speed gearbox. The frame was a conventional double-cradle type with the typical tall telescopic leading-axle front forks which gave nine inches of travel, and coil over telescopic shocks at the rear.
The MX250 motocross bike boasted a full twelve inches of ground clearance and weighed 233 lb, dry. That weight however was actually on the heavy side for a competition motocross bike.
The front wheel was 3.00 x 21 inch and at the rear 4.50 x 18 inches. Fuel tank held a modest 2.2 US gallons,
Braking was provided by drum brakes front and rear.
Harley-Davidson wanted these bikes to be eye-catching and so the 1978 models were painted in bright orange with blacked engines.
Actually made in Italy in 1977 and landed in US Harley-Davidson dealerships in 1978 it is believed that only about 900 of these bikes were made – and they proved to be a challenge to sell. So they have become a rare bike to find, and thus of interest to Harley-Davidson collectors.
One of these 1978 MX250 motocross bikes is currently for sale on Bring a Trailer and you can find the sale page if you click here.
Picture Credits: All pictures courtesy Bring a Trailer
Jon Branch is the founder and senior editor of Revivaler and has written a significant number of articles for various publications including official Buying Guides for eBay, classic car articles for Hagerty, magazine articles for both the Australian Shooters Journal and the Australian Shooter, and he’s a long time contributor to Silodrome.
Jon has done radio, television, magazine and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China and Hong Kong. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. He has studied the Japanese sword arts and has a long history of involvement in the shooting sports, which has included authoring submissions to government on various firearms related issues and assisting in the design and establishment of shooting ranges.
