Harley-Davidson Baja 100

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.

Harley-Davidson Baja 100
Two 1970 Baja 100s
ManufacturerAermacchi
Production1969–1972 (model years 1970–1973)
AssemblyVarese, Italy
ClassOff-road
Engine98 cc (5.98 cu in) 2-stroke single[1]
Bore / stroke50 mm × 50 mm (1.97 in × 1.97 in)[1]
Compression ratio9.5:1[1]
Power12.6 bhp (9.4 kW) @ 8,000 rpm[2]
Transmission5 speed[1]
TiresMetzeler front: 3.00 × 21, rear: 3.50 × 18
Wheelbase52 in (1,300 mm)[1]
DimensionsL: 78.5 in (1,990 mm)[1]
W: 34 in (860 mm)[1]
Weight185 lb (84 kg)[2] (dry)
Fuel capacity2.5 US gal (9.5 L; 2.1 imp gal), including 1 US qt (0.95 L) reserve.[1]

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.

See also

References
  1. Wright 1987, p. 89.
  2. 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
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