Aermacci Classic Motorcycles

The bikes produced by Aermacchi were quite successful in the postwar Italian market, also thanks to their repeated placements on the race tracks. The firm designed and produced models incorporating the Italian word "Ala" (wing) in its names, such as "Ala Verde", "Ala Blu" and "Ala d'Oro" (respectively "green wing", "blue wing" and "golden wing").

In the 1960s, 50% of Aermacchi stock was acquired by Harley-Davidson to produce in its assembly plant at Schiranna (near Varese) several models of small bikes (with engine displacement between 125cc and 350cc) for the American and the European market, in an attempt to take back market sectors that were the time were increasingly being taken by Japanese manufacturers such as Honda and Yamaha. Aermacchi went on to have success in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing world with rider Renzo Pasolini finishing 2nd in the 1972 250 cc Roadracing World Championship. After 1974, when the American manufacturer acquired complete control of the Italian company, Aermacchi bikes re-badged as Harley-Davidsons won the 250 cc Roadracing World Championship three years in a row in 1974, 1975 and 1976. They also won the 350 cc World Championship in 1976. Upon the acquisition of Harley-Davidson by AMF in 1978, the Italian operations of the firm were sold to the Castiglioni brothers, founders of the Cagiva motorcycle company, which continued to produce bikes branded "HD Cagiva" until 1980.

Bike Image Description 1951 Aermacchi Cigno 125cc. 1968 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson Ala Verde 250 Picture courtesey of www.classic-motorcycles.com. 1968 350cc Ala D'oro Aermacchi Race Bike Image provided by www.raveengineering.com. 1966 Aermacci CR250 1971 Aermacci SK350