HARLEY HUMMER NAME:
Harley Hummer is the name that has been adapted by collectors of the small Harley lightweights that were built from 1948 to 1966.
A single cylinder motorcycle which Harley decided to build, and the discussion to do so started around the later part of 1946 & into 1947 with a prototype and newly built tooling to start production of the small lightweight motorcycle to reach a larger demographic in the market which were folks who couldn't afford the larger bikes and meet the market of the young adults in the rural areas where the state laws would allow a small lightweight motorcycle without a young person needing to be old enough to have a license.
Harley Hummer and or Harley " Hummer " has been adapted as the unofficial nomenclature which covers the span of the small two cycle single cylinder lightweights from the 1948 125cc s model to the 1966 175cc Harley Bobcat model, as the internet world and the auction sites on the internet, such as eBay has allowed a category which identifies the small lightweights by this name: harley hummer, a lose term which is common nowadays when something becomes as popular or promoted in the course of a conversation a slang term catches on.
In actuality the name Hummer derived from one of the small Harley motorcycle which was introduced in 1955 which was a the 1955 Harley 125cc B Hummer, which was introduced in honor of a Harley Dealer from Omaha Nebraska by the name of: Dean Hummer. Dean was sold on the small Harley's prior to the 1955 Hummer and had competition in the Omaha area for another type of small bike called the Cushman, and the Cushmen during the prior years of the Harley Hummer were outselling the small Harley Lightweights.
So Dean decided to sell the 125s Harley and the other model 165 st Harley at such a small profit margin in his dealership, just to see the bikes sold to curb the enormous sales of the Cushman scooters being sold in the state.
With this business plan, Dean sold huge amounts of the small Harley lightweights and was such a success and made such an impression with the Harley company, Dean made some suggestions to the Harley company what he thought the public would like in a lightweight, Harley adopted most of the suggestions and produced the 1955 Harley 125cc B model Hummer in honor of Dean's continuous belief in what the small Harley Lightweights were capable of achieving in interest and sales to the public.

HISTORY OF THE HARLEY LIGHTWEIGHTS
Cushman was selling the 1949 model 65 and 65A also the model 61 Highlander they were having problems with
the Varamatic unit but was able to upgrade it quickly with greater reliance.
Cushman had a modernization of there plant from 1947 and finished the plant upgrade in 1950 with hopes of making a better scooter and hitting the market head on with better ease of production.
Since the small Cushman unit was reasonable for the growing youth market, almost every farm family and rural area setting where proving and need and interest in the small bikes. Cost for the 1951 711.30 was selling for $175.50 and the single speed 1952 762 eagle was selling for $285.list.In 1950 alone Cushman produced around 200,000 engines.
To get a fell for what Harley must of seen in the Lightweight market during this span from the mid forties to the mid fifties, competition like Indian with the small indian papoose and indian scooter as well as Cushman and several other american made lightweights. Harley knew they could scoop up a hefty amount of the market as Harley was well established and had plans in hand of a small lightweight that was tried and trued, Plans which came out of the war period just a few years earlier out of a factory of the well known German DKW motorcycle plant. The DKW was one of the worlds largest and most popular motorcycles produced in Europe during the thirties, in the early thirties DKW was already introducing split engines singles. The Asian motorcycle companies were starting to show an interest in producing single cylinder motorcycles as well, jumping forward in the mid fifties, getting into the market along with everyone else, Yamaha one year before the birth of the true 1955 125cc B Harley Hummer, in 1954 Yamaha introduced the YA-1 which had an engine style similar to the DKW and similar to the pre 1952 Harley 125s. Harley must have known early on around 1946 or 47, now as quick as anytime they needed to produce a line for this new upcoming small lightweight niche that was exploding on the scene.
With DKW plans in hand, Harley Davidson's engineers get to work adjusting required schemas on the SAE tooling transforming the system from the original metric plans, and tweaking most of the engine components incorporating some of Harley's technique's already in hand for ease of use, also cleaning the lines of the body,frame,forks and so on, producing a more uniform American artistic designed motorcycle, Harley was so ingenious of producing.

1948 THE FIRST YEAR FOR THE 125cc S MODEL HARLEY LIGHTWEIGHT
The year was 1948 and the small lightweight Harley looked amazing, Color was black with sleek frame and body lines and was built to awe the single cylinder lightweight motorcycle niche.
This bike came out with some unique attributes. One was the girder front end with rubber band tension front end, which could absorb the shock of a bumpy ride on the of roads.The " Tandem" Seat which was the same type used on the ELC model harley knuckleheads sold to the Canadians.
An enclosed headlight shroud with a speedometer which registers 50 miles per hour. A key switch in place in a hole on the gas tank with a trim ring, a gas cap with a cup to measure the amount of oil to add with the gasoline which was one part oil to 25 parts gasoline, a sleek style gas tank, a spring cushioned seat, 3.25 inch X 19 inch tires, an L&L S-1 carburetor was used on this model along with a tin 7 dot vent slide filter housing, and external 6 volt coil, and the engine which was a two cycle single cylinder 2" 1/16" Bore by 2" 9/32" Stroke, 7.6 cu inch piston displacement, 6.6 to 1 compression ratio, 1.7 Horsepower power unit. Wheel base was 50 inches.
Gear Ratio: Low (first) gear 29.3 to 1 , second gear 15.4 to 1 , third gear (High) 8.45 to 1
Now Harley is in the market of the lightweights, a 125 model which operates on the two stroke cycle principle.
The engine crankcase did not have a engine oil reservoir so the engine was supplied by the oil mixed with the gas.
The transmission case used "medium heavy" oil under normal operating conditions and you might add a little kerosene to make shifting easier during cold weather.The problem with the early model 125's was the use of Cork lining on the clutch plates and wore out quickly and had terrible response action when under stress.
The 125cc S model came out with front and rear brakes.
This little gem was a hit with its new owners, only a few minor adjustments needed to be made in the coming years and one of the adjustments was the small 2 brush generator which could not keep up with the lighting,charging system, also the frame neck was welded to the back bone and the down tube which caused some problems, but the following year was replaced with a casted neck to solve the problem. Tires used on this model was 3.25 X 19 Goodyear or firestone.

1949 Harley 125cc S model also had most of the same components as the 1948, not many changes were made, even up into introducing the 1950 harley 125cc s .The "Tandem" seat was still used on this model year. The L&L S-1 carburetor was still used on this model year, along with a tin 7 dot vent slide filter housing.Tire's were 3.25 X 19.

The 1950 harley 125cc model S is much like the 48 & 49 , advertised to get 90 or more miles to the gallon, some differences that are more subtle then others, But one of the major changes was the seat, gone with the old multi spring "Tandem" seat and now the Pan seat is used on the 1950, also the use of the fender trim on the front and rear fender. You could also get 4 colors:Flight Red, Sportsman's Yellow, Riviera Blue, Brillant Black.
This model also had the new Delco Remy Regulator with the screws to hold the cover on instead of bending over the tabs to keep the cover in place, also this model had the neck casted or "drop forged" and brazed instead of welded. This 1950 harley 125s was the third year of the small harley lightweights.
Notice the girder style front fork and the shroud which covers the headlight, the front end had actual large black gum rubber, rubber bands which stretched over the girder mechanics and that was the tension for the front end shock, this bike also had the burgess tail piece on the exhaust, Some called it "fish tail exhaust". This model also had the new kick stand which would keep from bending out of its socket and cause the bike to fall like the earlier models in 1948 and 1949. This model had the speedometer in the shroud which covered the headlight bucket, another change was he spring seat was dropped and the pan seat was introduced. The head light in this model is a little hard to find as it measures: 6" inches in diameter and 3"1/2" inches deep (no name on the can).
The head light bolts with a left and right bolt onto the shroud. (if you have one of these headlights they are worth hanging onto.
This little lightweight came out with the new 4 brush generator built into the engine on the right side which replaced the earlier model 2 brush
systems which couldn't handle the lighting load, external 6 volt coil, L&L S-1 carburetor, along with a tin 7 dot vent slide filter housing.
Bolt on tool box on the left side of the bike under seat, the gas valve of this bike is hard to find, its made completely of brass and like the 1948 and 1949 was used up into the early 1950s and sometimes brings upwards of $80.00 each, so if you own one hang on to it for your next 1950 125s project.
At the end of the use of the brass gas valve the new 62125-50 came out and replaced the brass 62124-47 valve.
This motorcycle had 3.25 X 19 inch tires, Rims measurements from outside to outside of rim is: 20" 1/8". number in side of rim next to valve stem hole is: 41003-47

1951 Harley 125cc S model
The 1951 harley 125cc s model is much like the 1948 , 1949 & 1950, although this model year has many major differences and some subtle changes, carried over from the 1950 model, of course one thing very noticeable would be the new "Tele-Glide" front end instead of the rubber band girder front end on the 1948,1949 and 1950 this new front end would prove to last up through the remaining years of the small light weights life span, also another change is the pan seat change from the spring seat, also this is the second year for the one piece seat bracket. Again gone with the old multi spring seat and continued with the pan seat as used on the 1950.
Now we have the new Tele-Glide front end with spring tension and this would be the only year the front forks had grease zerts on the tubes ( 1951 only ). Also the new headlight "cycle ray" 7" in size with the new headlight fork panel.The fork panel on the 51 had the raised or protruding outward 125 embossed on it. The new fork panel is nothing like the earlier 1948 , 1949 , 1950 headlight housing shroud which covered the complete headlight.
Notice the new rear fender with the upward curve in the back of the fender below the taillight.
Also notice the new shroud which covers the earlier style cup taillight. This model also had the new Delco Remy Regulator
with the screws to hold the cover on instead of bending over the tabs to keep the cover in place like the earlier 1948 regulator.
Also this model had the neck casted and brazed instead of welded. This model year came out with a little different rigid handle bars.
Also this model year had a different designed and color speedometer. This motorcycle had 3.25 X 19 inch tires.
And you could pick another color other then Black for the paint job. Notice the gas tank sticker changed
The L&L S-1 carburetor was used on this model year,along with a tin 7 dot vent slide filter housing.

1952 Harley 125cc S model
The 1952 harley 125s is much like the 1951, This model year has the many major changes and some subtle differences carried over from the 1951 model, of course one thing is the pan seat. Also this is the third year for the one piece seat bracket. Again gone with the old multi spring seat and continued with the pan seat as used on the 1950 & 1951. Again the new Tele-Glide front end with spring tension. Also the new headlight "cycle ray" with the new headlight fork panel. The new fork panel again nothing like the earlier 1948 , 1949 , 1950 headlight housing shroud which covered the complete headlight. Notice the new upward curve on the back of the rear fender below the taillight. Also notice the new shroud which covers the earlier style cup taillight same as the 1951 model harley 125s. This model also had the new Delco Remy Regulator with the screws to hold the cover on in stead of bending over the tabs to keep the cover in place like the earlier 1948 regulator. Also this model had the neck casted and brazed The fork panel on this model year had the New Tele-Glide embossed logo on it but was inverted instead of protruding outward.
instead of welded. This model year came out with a little different rigid handle bars like the 1951. Also this model year had a different designed and color speedometer like the 1951. This motorcycle had the new 41003-53 rear wheel but still used the 3.25 X 19 inch tire. And you could pick another color other then Black for the paint job. Notice the gas tank sticker changed is just like the 1951 model.
The L&L S-1 Carburetor was used on this model year, along with a tin 7 dot vent slide filter housing, both carb and filter were changed in 1953 on the 165 st.

1953 Harley 165cc ST & STU models this was Harley's 50th year anniversary year.
The standard model sold for about $455.00, plus tax and license. The Deluxe version includes more chrome and hits the buyer up for another $15.00. Rubber mounted handlebars, Buddy seat, saddlebags, windshield, speedometer light and stop light are all on the extra list and tailored exclusively for this model.The deluxe bars after purchase of the bike were only $19.95 extra to place on the motorcycle instead of using the standard bars. but some believe the deluxe bars are way to much for handling and prefer the standard size. deluxe bars are known as " Buckhorn" handlebars.
This little popper was 200 lbs dry weight, ground clearance was 7 3/8 inches to the frame and 4 7/8 inches to the muffler.
Saddle height 28 1/2 inches, the saddle was not the leather seat cover anymore like the earlier bikes and a new U.S. made rubber product which came out at the time this little Harley was being put together for the public was known as " Royallite" which was a tough waterproof plastic that out wears leather. 4 types of colors was available on this model year.
This was a turning point for the small Harley 125cc motorcycle, as the need for more power had the engineers at the Harley head quarters in 1952 working to upgrade the small S models to the new 1953 165cc st , stu models Harley. Significant changes on the outer appearance of the engine with the enclosed cast carburetor cover and the new head and cylinder, The wheel base is 51 1/12 inch with an overall length of 81 inches, Fuel Tank is a 1 3/4 gallon, What was known as taxable horse power was 2 1/4 , or 5.5 to 6 horse power, a bigger bore of 2.375 inch, Stroke was 2.281 inch, piston displacement 10.1 cu inch, Compression ratio 6.6 to 1 now the bore and piston displacement largely improves the performance of the 125 s , the transmission was still an 3 speed forward gear ratio but was changed from the 125 s models as the low (first gear) was now 20.8 to 1 and the second gear was now 12.2 to 1 and the third gear or high gear was now 7.23 to 1 which helped along with the new engine size to boost the speed up to 60 miles an hour as posted now on the new speedometer which on the earlier model 125 s models was 50 miles per hour. The L&L S-2 Linkert Carburetor was used on this model year 165 st only, along with a 7 tear drop vented air filter aluminum housing, the S-2 carburetor was changed in 1954. 3.25 X 19 inch tires were still being used.
The fork panel on this model also had the register symbol on it along with the name Tele-Glide on the cover.
The coil bracket was moved Brakes 5" , 7" headlight , Electrical:6-pole, 4-brush shunt generator or " Mag Dyno", voltage regulator was a Delco-Remy similar system to the K model, 10-ampere-hour storage battery and 6-volt coil. The clutch was now canvas lined disc plates and made the system much stronger than the earlier models with cork lined disc plates. The Clutch and Throttle cable are now a hefty 3/16 in diameter. This model had a little trouble stopping the bike using the front brakes, not like the back breaking system which worked very well. The gas cap had the cup for measuring the amount of oil used with the gas mixture, the type of mix to use would have been two of the cups full of 50 weight oil to one gallon of gasoline. If you plane to really ride hard on the Harley 165 ST you will want to fudge a bit and add three cups of 50 weight oil to a gallon of gasoline.NOTE: always mix the oil and gas in a separate container instead of mixing it in the tank, as you will get a better mix. It is possible to get 70 miles to the gallon on a average long distance drive. Maximum speed in high gear would be about 58 miles per hour.The U at the end of STU stood for a restrictive intake which lowered the horse power to drop the small lightweights under 5 horsepower so junior licensed fourteen year olds could drive in certain states, Some state laws allowed these young adults to drive the Cushman, Indian scooter, Indian Papoose, Corgis, Wellbikes and others including the small little "Hummers" as long it was under 5 horsepower. view an under 5 horse power sticker..

1954 Harley 165cc ST & STU models
Now this is a critical time in the marketing of the lightweight motorcycle history. All the companies making lightweight motorcycles were seeing a big change in the industry. Indian now was out of business, One of Harley's major U.S. competitor's was having troubles for a few years prior to closing, and also started producing at the end of there life span a lightweight, the introduction of the 1949 to 1950 149 Arrow single cylinder, Indian was having troubles and sold a large share of the company to a British motorcycle firm and they pushed the lightweight bikes with the indian marquee in the U.S. which was not a savior for the Indian company, And now Yamaha was producing the YA-1 and several other motorcycle companies were getting good reviews on quality and performance of motorcycles aboard and here at home in the U.S.. Speeds with two cycle bikes which was unheard of before. The tide in the lightweight motorcycle world was now watching all the U.S. made bikes and comparing them with bikes abroad looking for speed and endurance. American companies would have to really be on top of the game now to convince the consumer, that their motorcycles would meet the bill in quality and performance. With Indian out in 1953, Harley was poised to become one of the strongest U.S. based motorcycle companies to survive, Now was not the time to make any mistakes. The st , stu sales numbers compared to the previous years were slowly dropping, selling less then 3500 for the year and the emerging foreign bike companies, like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki the 1954 Colleda 90cc , Kawasaki with their new 1954, called the 'Meihatsu 125 Deluxe,' using a KB-5A engine were really doing their home work and producing bikes the young consumer was searching for .Originally early on the small Harley was used by paper boys,western union and small business for short transpiration. Now in 1954 more bikes found their place in trail competition, hill climbs,dirt tracks and off road endurance's. Communication on television,radio, magazines,world trade and ever growing international motorcycle events was changing the landscape in the motorcycle industry here in the U.S. Imported lightweights could be had at a lower price's and a more dependable construction and reliability.
The 1954 Harley 165 st , stu was a spiting image of the 1953 models, although the 54 models where available in 5 colors.
The model 165st came out with a new speedometer which now shows 70 miles per hour.
The L&L Linkert S-3 Carburetor was used on this model year along with a 7 tear drop vented slider air filter aluminum housing,
Tire size: 3.25 X 19 inch.
Most of the changes in 1954 was minor, but a reference to what the bike was like can be found in the 1953 description of the 165 st , stu.


1955 Harley 125cc B model Hummer The 1955 Hummer sold for about $320.00
This is the year Dean Hummer was honored to have a motorcycle produced by Harley Davidson, the new 1955 Harley 125 B Hummer.
This bike is striped down to the bare bones. No speedometer, No front brake system, Nor fork panel behind the headlight, No electric horn on a rubber bulb type squeeze horn on the front fork, No Battery, No coil , it had a " Bendix " magneto setup with a coil built in the magneto for the lights and spark, the frame was modified for this new little bike with no coil mount, no horn mount the foot rest assembly was changed, No tool box unless you paid extra. So this little Harley Hummer was about as bare as you could get. A new style carburetor was used, Tillotson model MT-43A replacing the L&L carburetor, now their isn't any need for the cast aluminum carburetor covers as well. The air filter is tin similar to a riding lawnmower engine filter with the open face with exposed filter mesh showing. The Hummer now has 3.50 X 18 inch tires. An economical motorcycle advertise as getting 100 miles to the gallon of gas.
Keeping up with the imported bikes the little Hummer was not cutting it, sales had dropped and the market was shipping towards foreign companies, Fast more efficient, stronger,reliable import lightweights had taking hold and were out selling american made motorcycles, Racing competitions around the world was seeing an increase in wins with asian imports and a stronger challenge from the companies engineers focusing on producing a motorcycle the young consumers where looking for.


1955 Harley 165cc ST & STU models

1956 Harley 125cc B model Hummer
The 1956 Harley 125 B Hummer. The Hummer was basically the same as the 1955 model Hummer.
This bike is striped down to the bare bones. No speedometer, No front brake system, Nor fork panel behind the headlight, No electric horn on a rubber bulb type squeeze horn on the front fork, No Battery, No coil , it had a " Bendix " magneto setup with a coil built in the magneto for the lights and spark, the frame was modified for this new little bike with no coil mount, no horn mount the foot rest assembly was changed, No tool box unless you paid extra. So this little Harley Hummer was about as bare as you could get. A new style carburetor was used, Tillotson model MT-43A replacing the L&L carburetor, now their isn't any need for the cast aluminum carburetor covers as well. The air filter is tin similar to a riding lawnmower engine filter with the open face with exposed filter mesh showing. The Hummer now has 3.50 X 18 inch tires. An economical motorcycle advertise as getting 100 miles to the gallon of gas.
Engine: Single-cylinder two-stroke, magneto, 125cc
Dimensions Wheel Base: 51-1/2 in. Overall Length: 81 in. Overall Width: 28-1/2 in.
Capacities Fuel Tank: 1-3/4 U.S. Gallons Transmission: 1-1/4 Pints
Engine Number of Cylinders: 1 Type: 2 cycle Horsepower: 3.5 Piston Displacement: 10.1 cu. in. (125 cc) Compression Ratio: 6.6 to 1
Transmission Type: Constant Mesh Speeds: 3 Forward

1956 Harley 165cc ST & STU models
Engine: Single-cylinder two-stroke, generator, 165cc
Dimensions Wheel Base: 51-1/2 in. Overall Length: 81 in. Overall Width: 28-1/2 in.
Capacities Fuel Tank: 1-3/4 U.S. Gallons Transmission: 1-1/4 Pints
Engine Number of Cylinders: 1 Type: 2 cycle Horsepower: 5.5 Piston Displacement: 10.1 cu. in. (165 cc) Compression Ratio: 6.6 to 1
Transmission Type: Constant Mesh Speeds: 3 Forward
Circuit Breaker Points: .020
Spark Plugs - Size: 14.mm
Gap: .025 to .030 in.
Tire Size: 3.50 X 18 in.
Tire Pressure Front: 12 lbs
Tire Pressure Rear: 14 lbs
Based on rider weight of 150 lbs.

1957 Harley 125cc B model Hummer
The 1956 Harley 125 B Hummer. Not an major changes for the little Hummer lightweight.
This bike is striped down to the bare bones. No speedometer, No front brake system, Nor fork panel behind the headlight, No electric horn on a rubber bulb type squeeze horn on the front fork, No Battery, No coil , it had a " Bendix " magneto setup with a coil built in the magneto for the lights and spark, the frame was modified for this new little bike with no coil mount, no horn mount the foot rest assembly was changed, No tool box unless you paid extra. So this little Harley Hummer was about as bare as you could get. A new style carburetor was used, Tillotson model MT-43A replacing the L&L carburetor, now their isn't any need for the cast aluminum carburetor covers as well. The air filter is tin similar to a riding lawnmower engine filter with the open face with exposed filter mesh showing. The Hummer now has 3.50 X 18 inch tires. An economical motorcycle advertise as getting 100 miles to the gallon of gas.
Engine: Single-cylinder two-stroke, magneto, 125cc
Dimensions Wheel Base: 51-1/2 in. Overall Length: 81 in. Overall Width: 28-1/2 in.
Capacities Fuel Tank: 1-3/4 U.S. Gallons Transmission: 1-1/4 Pints
Engine Number of Cylinders: 1 Type: 2 cycle Horsepower: 3.5 Piston Displacement: 10.1 cu. in. (125 cc) Compression Ratio: 6.6 to 1
Transmission Type: Constant Mesh Speeds: 3 Forward

1957 Harley 165cc ST & STU models
Engine: Single-cylinder two-stroke, generator, 165cc
Dimensions Wheel Base: 51-1/2 in. Overall Length: 81 in. Overall Width: 28-1/2 in.
Capacities Fuel Tank: 1-3/4 U.S. Gallons Transmission: 1-1/4 Pints
Engine Number of Cylinders: 1 Type: 2 cycle Horsepower: 5.5 Piston Displacement: 10.1 cu. in. (165 cc) Compression Ratio: 6.6 to 1
Transmission Type: Constant Mesh Speeds: 3 Forward

1958 Harley 125cc B model Hummer: This little Hummer sold for $375.00 new.
The 1956 Harley 125 B Hummer. The most in the Hummer 125 B model line was sold this year only, somewhere around 1400 bikes more or less.
This bike is striped down to the bare bones. No speedometer, No front brake system, Nor fork panel behind the headlight, No electric horn on a rubber bulb type squeeze horn on the front fork, No Battery, The coil returns on the frame front down tube as the " Bendix " magneto setup with a coil built in the magneto for the lights and spark wasn't working well enough so the external coil made a come back. no horn mount the foot rest assembly was changed, No tool box unless you paid extra. So this little Harley Hummer was about as bare as you could get. A new style carburetor was used, Tillotson model MT-43A replacing the L&L carburetor, now their isn't any need for the cast aluminum carburetor covers as well. The air filter is tin similar to a riding lawnmower engine filter with the open face with exposed filter mesh showing. The Hummer now has 3.50 X 18 inch tires. An economical motorcycle advertise as getting 100 miles to the gallon of gas.


1958 Harley 165cc ST & STU models: The Harley st sold for $465.00 and you could buy, chrome rubber mounted handlebars for $13.50 for the st and $9.50 for a pair of chrome rims for the st, the rigid handlebars cost $4.15 at the time. The STU sold for $465.00 also in 1958

1959 Harley 125cc B model Hummer total 125 B models sold was around more or less: 7500 , You could buy the 1959 125 Hummer with jiffy stand for $385.00 and if you needed any extras you could by over the counter at your harley dealer and add the new parts on yourself.
The 1959 Harley 125 B Hummer was dropped this year. Again this bike is very much the same clear back to the original 1955 Hummer.
This bike is striped down to the bare bones. No speedometer, No front brake system, Nor fork panel behind the headlight, No electric horn on a rubber bulb type squeeze horn on the front fork, No Battery,The coil returns on the frame front down tube as the " Bendix " magneto setup with a coil built in the magneto for the lights and spark wasn't working well enough so the external coil made a come back. no horn mount the foot rest assembly was changed, No tool box unless you paid extra. So this little Harley Hummer was about as bare as you could get. A new style carburetor was used, Tillotson model MT-43A replacing the L&L carburetor, now their isn't any need for the cast aluminum carburetor covers as well. The air filter is tin similar to a riding lawnmower engine filter with the open face with exposed filter mesh showing. The Hummer now has 3.50 X 18 inch tires. An economical motorcycle advertise as getting 100 miles to the gallon of gas.


1959 Harley 165cc ST & STU models: The 1959 Harley 165 st sold for $475.00 and the included the jiffy stand, the 1959 Harley 165 STU sold for $475.00 as well and if your needed to by any extras for either the ST or the STU like rubber mounted handle bars or chrome rims they could be purchased for a little extra. the bikes also for another $6.00 or $8.00 could have another couple of colors you could select to have your bike painted.The speedometer of the 1959 top speed was 60 miles an hour the same speedometer was used clear up into 1965

1960 Harley 165cc Super10 BT model: This is the year the Honda Dream came out and it was a well built motorcycle and the power couldn't be bet.
We striped down a Super10 and a Honda Dream in the St Louis area for ice racing and dirt track racing and the Harley just could not keep up with the Dream. The suspension was more than the Harley had to offer. It seemed Harley was not focused enough at the time on the technology which was offered on all the other imports making their way into the U.S. during the early sixties. So many unique changes was showing up on the Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and other bikes it was hard to not want to use them in any type of competition. Most of the Harley die hard's we grew up with were modifying our lightweights to keep up with foreign rides and sometimes it worked and other times it wouldn't. But most fans of the Harley during the fifties into the sixties just couldn't give up the three or four bikes that we used in competition or just daily riders. Even myself , the first harley I was introduced to I stumbled on in a salvage yard in St Louis when I was 12 and bought it for less than scrap price and took it home and used it selling the Grit news paper and Christmas cards and was just in love with that bike which was a 1948 Harley 125s, and I've keep that bike clear up to now and I'm 54 years old and just the thought of giving up any of the old Harley's all of us collected over the years just proves the desire to stand behind a great built piece of American made transportation, regardless of what seems to be faster coming across the waters as an import.

1960 Harley 165cc Super10 BTU model: the Harley Super10 had a magneto ignition instead of a battery, it was a 9 horse power version of the Hummer B engine, you could get a version restricted to a 5 horse power if you were needing one. many options where available at the time for the super10 but one option that really seat the bike off was the Buckhorn handlebars, you could also get a buddy seat in white are gray but nothing looks better than the spring pan seat on a super10, The super10 used 3.50 X 18 inch tires, Colors: Hi-Fi Blue, Hi-Fi Green, Pepper Red, Hi-Fi Red. The tank color was painted on top of the tank with the base color down to where the tank starts rolling down the edge and from the edge to the bottom and underneath of the tank painted white, Than a strip about 1" wide was painted with the base color from the top front of the tanks slopping down and through the center of the white clear to the back by the seat of the tank. the logo on the tank was right in the center above the line in the white. the reason I mention this is because the super10's tank paint job is really unique and often painted incorrect when restored nowadays. About 2500 of the BT & BTU were made.

1961 Harley 165cc Super10 BT model: the 1961 Harley Super10 was similar to the 1960 model super10 but had some unique differences, for one it had a magneto ignition instead of a battery, it was a 9 horse power version of the Hummer B engine, you could get a version restricted to a 5 horse power if you were needing one. many options where available at the time for the super10 but one option that really seat the bike off was the Buckhorn handlebars, you could also get a buddy seat in white are gray but nothing looks better than the spring pan seat on a super10, The super10 used 3.50 X 16 inch tires, The 1961 Super10 had 5 available Colors: Hi-Fi Blue, Hi-Fi Green, Skyline Blue, Hi-Fi Red, Birch White. A unique style was painted on the 1961, The tank color was painted on top of the tank with the base color just like the 1960 super10, only it stops on the top edges if you where sitting on the seat looking at the tank and draw a line around the top to the edge wear the eye views the paint square to the top of the tanks edge of the horizion , than paint from that edge down even the underneath of the tank with white, and make a large tear drop with the large round of the tear at the front of the tank angled to the rear of the tank at the seat with the tear drops point using the main color of the bike selected from the colors available for the 1961 model super10, Than the logo goes in the tear drop, Also I mention the paint as many 1961's are incorrectly painted nowadays as well.
The super10 had the horn behind the head light panel. About 1500 of the BT & BTU were made.

1961 Harley 165cc Super10 BTU model: This was the restricted model super10 restricted from a 9 horse power to a 5 horse power unit to allow the young drivers in the states with the laws where as a young person at the age of 14 could drive a small motorcycle with a special licenses. The BTU had the same build as the 1961 BT other than the U restriction to bring the power down to 5 horses. About 1500 of the BT & BTU were made.

1962 Harley 175cc BT Pacer model: This was the last year for the rigid frames, many changes would come after the 1962 year models, not many bikes would be built during 1962 and it is possible some of the left over engines from the earlier 165's

1962 Harley 175cc Scat BTH: All of the 1962 model Harley lightweights could have been painted the standard colors: Tango Red or Skyline Blue and if you wanted to add a little extra money and have a special color you could have it painted: Hi-Fi Red, or Hi-Fi Purple

1962 Harley 165cc BTU Pacer model

1962 Harley 165cc BTF Ranger model: BTF"s had a standard color scheme and no special colors Where available.

1963 Harley 175cc BT Pacer model: The new rear swing arm suspension came out and was used on all the bikes from 1963 to 1966, called the "Glide-Ride" suspension, it was an L shape swing arm which actuated a spring mounted horizontally under the engine, the seat and rear fender were mounted to a sub-frame which was bolted to the main frame.

1963 Harley 175cc BTU Pacer model

1963 Harley 175cc BTH Scat model

1964 Harley 175cc BT Pacer model

1964 Harley 175cc BTU Pacer model
1964 Harley 175cc BTH Scat model

1965 Harley 175cc BT Pacer model

1965 Harley 175cc BTH Scat model

1966 Harley 175cc BTH Bobcat model: This is the last year of the lightweight series considered in the "Hummer" category from 1948 to 1966, the Bobcat was unique for the time it came out with a one piece ABS body which covered the tank, it also came out with lots of chrome parts, the Bobcat used a 80 mile an hour speedometer, if you've ever ridden a Harley Bobcat and any of the older rigid frame models, it was like night and day. But it lacked enough in power and endurance compared to any of the imports at the time.