Aermacchi Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Aermacchi 1973-1974 X-90 and Z-90

The "new" mini-bike X-90 is a 90cc 2-stroke 4-speed model. Looking back at 1972 clarifies the "new" in all this... the MC-65 (Shortster) of the Aermacchi-Harley-Davidson era was clearly the basis of the X-90. Wheels, front susspension, mudguards etc are identical to the Shortster and also the frame is very similar to the MC-65. The new engine comes with a seperate oil tank - no more pre-mix. AMF-Harley-Davidson was very clear about the use they aimed for in their promotions: leisure. Production was from 1973 to 1974 with probably some manufactured in 1975. Total number manufactured: 16,837. They sold new in the Netherlands in 1973 for f 1.595,- and in 1976 (more than one year old) for 1.995,-

The Z-90 was marketed for those who preferred a somewhat larger mini-bike. According to the promotional literature it was to be a model that was suited for road riding and off-road adventure and could carry a pillion passenger. The engine is identical to the X-90: bore and stroke= 48x50mm and a compression-rate of 1 : 9.22. The electrical system is changed to an AC system, flywheel magneto with coils and a voltage-regulator which is also used on the SS and SX 350. The frame was based on the SR 100, also known as the Baja in the Aermacchi-Harley-Davidson era. The production of this model was from 1973 until 1974, with some built in 1975 - in total there were 17,974 of this model manufactured. They sold new in the Netherlands for f 1.695,- in 1973, 1.895,- in 1974 and in 1975 (more than one year old) for 2.195,-.

Source: Aermacchi-De Gevleugelde and AMF-Harley-Davidson 1972-1978 by Jaap de Jong

Aermacchi-1973-X90

Aermacchi Models

This page is derived from an archive of 2stroke-nl