1967 Aermacchi 350cc Racer, beautifully restored to museum quality

Signed by Mert Lawwill1967 Aermacchi 350cc Racer Aeronautica Macchi. soon only Aermacchi. was founded in 1912 by Giulio Macchi on the shores of Lake Varese north of Milan. Italy. to manufacture seaplanes. After WW II the company began producing motorcycles and in 1960 the Harley-Davidson Motor Company purchased 50% of the motorcycle division to secure a source of small capacity machines. The remaining half was sold to AMF H-D in 1974. Harley sold the company in 1978 to Cagiva to then launch them as a motorcycle manufacturer. Aermacchi created their "horizontal" 4-stroke single in 1956 first as a 175cc in the Chimera. soon a 250. the race versions usually to be known as the Ala d'Oro (Golden Wing). Using Harley-Davidson investment capital Aermacchi got to work and once they moved up a class (from 250 to 350) - Aermacchi offered the first 350cc engine in 1964 – the new. bigger motor promptly scored 2nd. 3rd. 4th. and 6th places at the Isle of Man (350cc) Junior TT against a bunch of 2-stroke lightweight twins. After a redesign in 1966. 250cc and 350cc Aermacchi racers were models of reliability. It's these short-stroke machines – think north of 33 horsepower - that are so popular in today's AHRMA racing in the US and historic racing around the world. With so much intermingling of parts and specifications. a race bike is often made up of from the best components for the job. So it is with the unquestionably beautiful bike offered here. It consists of a 350cc dry clutch motor in a 1967 Sprint H style frame. an Ala Verde style peanut-shape tank. and a twin-leading shoe front brake. Built to race. the bike was then subject to a comprehensive and complete restoration and since has been meticulously stored and displayed in a prominent Southern California collection. With only shake down miles on the rebuild. the bike will need re-commissioning before returning to the track. I would suggest tires in that. Although he never rode the bike. it was signed by Mert Lawwill's. who saw it at a concours event and expressed his appreciation for the quality of the build. Beautiful as it unquestionably is. the bike is ready to start and run or to take pride of place as a museum exhibit. such is the quality of the restoration and build. Offered on a Bill of Sale