Contents:
1. History
2. US Models and Specs 1961-78
3. M50 and M65 models 1965-67
4. MS50, MS65, MLS65 1966-72
5. M50/65 Parts Catalog 1965-72
1.Harley Davidson
From 1961 to 1978 Harley Davidson dealers sold a line of small motorcycles 50cc to 350cc, made in Italy by Aermacchi.
From Wikipedia: Nieuport-Macchi was founded in 1912 by Giulio Macchi at Varese in north-western Lombardy, Italy. They originally made Nieuport monoplanes under licence for the Italian military. After 1916, they made flying boat fighters, flying boat bombers, racing seaplanes, biplanes, monoplanes, reconnaissance float-planes, fighters, trainers, and utility aircraft. With a factory located on the shores of Lake Varese, they were known as Aeronautica Macchi.
After World War II, in addition to producing military aircraft, the company began producing motorcycles as a way to fill the post-war need for cheap, efficient transportation. In 1957 their name was shortened to Aermacchi.
In 1960, US business Harley-Davidson motorcycles purchased 50% of Aermacchi’s motorcycle division. The first US model was the 1961 Model C Sprint 250cc 4-stroke OHV. Two-stroke models began in 1965. Then later in 1972, AMF merged with Harley Davidson. The name, logo and stickers changed. The remaining Aermacchi motorcycle holdings were sold in 1974 to AMF-Harley-Davidson, with motorcycles continuing to be made at Varese. The business was sold to Cagiva in 1978.
2. Aermacchi – Harley Davidson (US models)
year wt. front-tires-rear bore str. cc eng type model
1961 351 3.00-17 3.00-17 66.0 72 246 ohv 4M C-250 Sprint
1962 351 3.00-17 3.00-17 66.0 72 246 ohv 4M C-250 Sprint
1963 351 3.00-17 3.00-17 66.0 72 246 ohv 4M C-250 Sprint
1964 351 3.00-17 3.00-17 66.0 72 246 ohv 4M C-250 Sprint
1965 112 2.00-18 2.00-18 38.8 42 48 2S 3V M-50
1965 351 3.00-17 3.00-17 66.0 72 246 ohv 4M C-250 Sprint
1966 112 2.00-17 2.00-17 38.8 42 48 2S 3V M-50
1966 116 2.00-17 2.00-17 38.8 42 48 2S 3V MS-50 Sport
1966 351 3.00-17 3.00-17 66.0 72 246 ohv 4M C-250 Sprint
1967 116 2.00-17 2.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 3V M-65
1967 122 2.00-17 2.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 3V MS-65 Sport
1967 179 2.50-17 3.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 4M MLS-65 Leggero Sport
1967 371 3.00-18 3.50-18 72.0 61 248 ohv 4M H-250 Sprint
1968 116 2.00-17 2.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 3V M-65
1968 122 2.00-17 2.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 3V MS-65 Sport
1968 179 2.50-17 3.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 4M MLS-65 Leggero Sport
1968 371 3.00-18 3.50-18 72.0 61 248 ohv 4M H-250 Sprint
1969 122 2.00-17 2.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 3V MS-65 Sport
1969 179 2.50-17 3.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 4M MLS-65 Leggero Sport
1969 371 3.00-18 3.50-18 72.0 61 248 ohv 4M H-250 Sprint
1970 122 2.00-17 2.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 3V MS-65 Sport
1970 179 2.50?17 3.00?17 44.0 42 64 2S 4M MLS-65 MS Leggero Sport
1970 212 3.00-21 3.50-18 50.0 50 98 2S 4M MSR-100 Baja
1970 211 3.00-18 3.50-18 56.0 50 123 2S 4M MSR-125 Rapido
1970 371 3.00-18 3.50-18 72.0 61 248 ohv 4M H-250 Sprint
1971 122 2.00-17 2.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 3V MS-65 Sport
1971 179 2.50?17 3.00?17 44.0 42 64 2S 4M MLS-65 Leggero Sport
1971 212 3.00-21 3.50-18 50.0 50 98 2S 4M MSR-100 Baja
1971 211 3.00-18 3.50-18 56.0 50 123 2S 4M MSR-125 Rapido
1971 309 3.50-19 4.00-18 72.0 60 244 ohv 4M SX-250 Sprint
1972 128 3.00-10 3.00-10 44.0 42 64 2S 3M MC-65 Shortster
1972 122 2.00-17 2.00-17 44.0 42 64 2S 3V MS-65 Sport
1972 179 2.50?17 3.50?16 44.0 42 64 2S 4M MLS-65 Leggero Sport
1972 212 3.00-21 3.50-18 50.0 50 98 2S 4M MSR-100 Baja
1972 211 3.00-18 3.50-18 56.0 50 123 2S 4M MSR-125 Rapido
1972 335 3.25-19 3.50-18 72.0 60 244 ohv 4M SS-250 Sprint
1972 309 3.50-19 4.00-18 72.0 60 244 ohv 4M SX-250 Sprint
1973 158 3.00-10 3.00-10 48.0 50 90 2S 4M X-90
1973 183 2.50-17 3.25-16 48.0 50 90 2S 4M Z-90
1973 228 3.00-21 3.50-18 50.0 50 98 2S 5M SR-100
1973 232 3.00-19 3.50-18 56.0 50 123 2S 5M TX-125
1973 355 3.25-19 3.50-18 74.0 80 344 ohv 5M SS-350 Sprint
1973 355 3.50-19 4.00-18 74.0 80 344 ohv 5M SX-350 Sprint
1974 158 3.00-10 3.00-10 48.0 50 90 2S 4M X-90
1974 183 2.50-17 3.25-16 48.0 50 90 2S 4M Z-90
1974 228 3.00-21 3.50-18 50.0 50 98 2S 5M SR-100
1974 232 3.00-19 3.50-18 56.0 50 123 2S 5M SX-125
1974 232 3.00-19 3.50-18 56.0 50 123 2S 5M TX-125
1974 253 3.00-19 3.50-18 61 59.6 174 2S 5M SX-175
1974 355 3.25-19 3.50-18 74.0 80 344 ohv 5M SS-350 Sprint
1974 355 3.50-19 4.00-18 74.0 80 344 ohv 5M SX-350 Sprint
1975 216 3.00-19 3.50-18 56.0 50 123 2S 5M SXT-125
1975 216 3.00-19 3.50-18 56.0 50 123 2S 5M SS-125
1975 253 3.00-19 3.50-18 61 59.6 174 2S 5M SX-175
1975 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M SS-250
1975 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M SX-250
1976 253 3.00-19 3.50-18 61 59.6 174 2S 5M SX-175
1976 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M SS-250
1976 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M SX-250
1977 253 3.00-19 3.50-18 61 59.6 174 2S 5M SX-175
1977 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M SS-250
1977 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M SX-250
1978 253 3.00-19 3.50-18 61 59.6 174 2S 5M SX-175
1978 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M SS-250
1978 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M SX-250
1978 253 0.00-19 0.00-18 72 59.6 243 2S 5M MX-250
Specifications 1965-72
3. Step-thru models M50, M65
These have a traditional step-thru moped frame, but the front of the seat is too far forward to allow stepping through the frame. Instead you have to swing one leg over the back of the bike to get on or off, like on a top tank motorcycle.
1965 M-50, 3-speed hand shift
1965 only, 2.00-18 tires (2.15 actual)
1966 M-50 restored by Les Daily, Florida USA
30% more power than 1965
1966 only, 2.00-17 tires (2.15 actual width)
1967 M-65, 4-speed hand-shift
1967-1969, 2.00-17 tires (2.15 actual)
4. Top tank models MS-50, MS-65, MLS-65, MC65
1966 MS-50 Sport, 3-speed hand-shift
30% more power than 1965 M-50
1966 only, 2.00-17 tires (2.15 actual)
1967 MS-65 Sport, 4-speed hand-shift
1967-68, 2.00-17 tires (2.15 actual)
1970 MLS-65 Leggero Sport, 4sp foot-shift
right is a late 1972 with 16″ rear tire
1968-70, 2.50-17, 2.50-17 tires
1971-72, 2.50-17, 3.00-17 tires
1972-72, 2.50-17, 3.50-16 tires
1972 MC-65 Shortster, 4-speed foot-shift
1972 only, 3.00-10 tires
Sources:
cybermotorcycle.com Aermacchi history and models
sunnymeadcycles.com original specs
M50/M65 Parts Manual pdf, free download from carlsalter.com
Aermacchi Motorcycles A Community for Aermacchi Motorcycle Owners
Harley Davidson M-50 and M-65
M50 Components
Controls: Domino 70’s chrome, no-ball chrome levers, wrap-around throttle
Switch: CEV oval all-in-one
Spokes: 166 x 2.5 (17″ rims)
Axles: front M11-1.0 threaded, rear M12-1.0 threaded
5. M50 and M65 Parts Catalog
page 0-1 M50-M65 Parts Catalog 1965-70
page 59 Parts Catalog Addendum 1971-72
page 02 – 54 M50 and M65 1965-70 Parts
page 55 – 58 Part Number Index 1965-70
page 59 – 66 M65 1971-72 Addendum
1965-69 Serial Numbers: The serial number is located on the left engine case. The first 3 or 4 digits represent the year and model, the same as shown in the “Used On” column in this catalog. The last 4 digits are the sequential number starting with 1000.
1970-72 Serial Numbers: The serial number is located on the right engine case and is the same as the frame number located on the right side of the frame down tube. For MS-65 and MLS-65 models digits 1 and 2 are BA. Digits 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 are the sequential number starting with 10000. Digit 8 is H (Harley Davidson). Digit 9 is the year, starting with 1970 is 0, 1971 is 1, 1972 is 2.
year M-50 000MS-50 00 M-65 000 MS-65 000 MLS-65
65 65M-1000
66 66M-1000 66S-1000
67 00M-1000 00M-1000 67M-1000 67S-1000 0 67MS-1000
68 00M-1000 00M-1000 68M-1000 68S-1000 0 68MS-1000
69 00M-1000 00M-1000 00M-1000 69S-1000 0 69MS-1000
70 00M-1000 00M-1000 00M-1000 BA10000H0 BA10000H0
71 00M-1000 00M-1000 00M-1000 BA10000H1 BA10000H1
72 00M-1000 00M-1000 00M-1000 BA10000H2 BA10000H2
page 2-3 M50 and M65 Crank, Cylinder and Piston
# years part # 000 price
13 65-66 22028-65P none piston assy std 38.8
13 65-66 22029-65P none piston assy 1os 39.0
13 65-66 22030-65P none piston assy 2os 39.2
13 65-66 22031-65P none piston assy 3os 39.4
13 67-72 22028-67P none piston assy std 44.0
13 67-72 22029-67P none piston assy 1os 44.2
13 67-72 22030-67P none piston assy 2os 44.4 says 44.4 65231/2 SC
13 67-72 22031-67P none piston assy 3os 44.6
14 65-66 22350-65 none ring std 38.8 x 1.5 GI
14 65-66 22351-65 $10.0 ring 1os 39.0 x 1.5 GI
14 65-66 22352-65 none ring 2os 39.2 x 1.5 GI
14 65-66 22353-65 none ring 3os 39.4 x 1.5 GI
14 67-72 22350-67 none ring std 44.0 x 1.5 GI
14 67-72 22351-67 none ring 1os 44.2 x 1.5 GI
14 67-72 22352-67 none ring 2os 44.4 x 1.5 GI
14 67-72 22353-67 none ring 3os 44.6 x 1.5 GI
page 4-5 M50 and M65 Crankcase
page 6-7 M50 1965 Carburetor
# years part # 0000 price Dellorto SHA 14/12L .
01 65-65 16828-65P $7.00 11362 clamp sleeve 20 x 18
02 65-65 27124-65PA none original carburetor with air box jet 57
02 65-65 27124-65PA $70.0 replacement carburetor with jet 57
03 65-65 27229-65P $7.00 6112 choke lever
04 65-65 27230-65P $3.00 6105 choke spring
05 65-65 27232-65P $3.00 5417 choke pivot bolt
06 65-65 27231-65P $5.00 6112 trigger lever
07 65-65 27233-65P $2.00 6259 trigger spring
08 65-65 27234-65P $2.00 6115 trigger hinge pin
09 65-65 27503-65P $5.00 6107 float bowl
10 65-65 27509-65P $4.00 3598 float bowl screw (2)
11 65-65 27511-65P $2.00 6123 float gasket
12 65-65 27535-65P $18.0 6122 float
13 65-65 27536-65P $10.0 2838 float needle
14 65-65 27539-65P $2.00 8773 float pin
15 65-65 27572-65P $10.0 6108 throttle slide
16 65-65 27579-65P $10.0 3346 throttle spring
17 65-65 27574-65P $5.00 6110 top cover bare
18 65-65 27578-65P $3.00 6111 top gasket
19 65-65 27579-65P $2.00 3318 top screw (2)
20 65-65 27590-65P $8.00 6106 fuel inlet banjo
21 65-65 27591-65P $5.00 4190 banjo screw
22 65-65 27592-65P $1.50 3385 banjo screw seal washer
23 65-65 27604-65P $5.00 6109 fuel filter screen
24 65-00 27621-65P $7.00 1486 main jet 57 no 30a (to 65M-15120)
24 00-65 27616-65P $5.00 1486 main jet 54 for 30a (65M-15121 on)
25 65-65 27628-65P $4.00 6140 idle speed adjust screw
26 65-65 27629-65P $2.00 3318 idle screw spring
27 65-65 27725-65P $5.00 A13 cable adjuster with nut
29 65-65 27729-65P $2.00 6305 clamp screw
30 65-65 27730-65P $2.50 6304 clamp nut
30a -65 29037-65 $0.00 air filter foam (65M-15121 on)
31 65-65 29052-65P $9.00 6117 air filter screen
32 65-65 29108-65P $3.00 6159 air filter gasket
33 65-65 29121-65P $12.0 4226 air box cover black replacement
34 65-65 29124-65P $4.00 4611 air cover clamp with screw
36 65-65 56236-65P $2.00 P5 throttle cable pinch bolt
37 65-65 56357-65PA none throttle cable 1-ended with pinch bolt
38 65-65 56360-65PA $6.00 throttle cable 1-end inner wire 47″
1. SHA 14/12L on 1965 M50
2,3,4. ME 18BS on ’66 M50, MS50, ’67-72 M65, MS65, MLS65
page 8-9 M50 1966 and M65 Carburetor
# years part # 0000 price Dellorto ME18-BS
48 66-69 56357-66PA none throttle cable 2-ended (to 69M-5099)
48 69-72 56357-69PB none throttle cable 2-ended (69M-5100 on)
page 10-11 M50 and M65 Magneto
# years part # 0000 price Dansi ASL222S magneto:
18 65-70 29623-65PA none flywheel ⇐S ∅82 ∅110 alum. M19-1.0
15 65-70 29574-65P none lighting coil (wire)
16 65-70 29576-65P none ignition coil externally grounded (wire)
# years part # 0000 price Dansi ASL236NS magneto:
18 71-72 29623-71P none flywheel ⇐S ∅82 ∅110 alum. M19-1.0
15 71-72 29574-72P none lighting coil (wire)
16 71-72 29576-71P none ignition coil externally grounded (wire)
# years part # 0000 price both magnetos:
13 65-72 29529-65P $19.0 points Dansi 01.3240 .
27 65-72 32726-65P $15.0 condenser Dansi 07.0074 (wire)
17 65-72 29595-65P none flywheel nut M9-1.0 tall = Benelli?
14 65-72 29549-65PA none stator base plate ∅94 3+2 slot
26 65-65 32306-61 spark plug HD 7 ≈ NGK BR5HS
26 66-72 32309-69 $4.50 spark plug HD 5-6 ≈ NGK BR6HS
The green (or faded dark green) magneto wire must always go to ground to have spark. It powers the brake light. If a brake light wire is disconnected, or the bulb is blown, or the switch is bad, the engine will not run. Yet nothing is wrong in the ignition or magneto.
page 12-13 Starter
page 14-15 Hand Shifter
page 16-17 Foot Shifter
page 18-19 Transmission
page 20-21 Clutch
page 22-23 Front Wheel
# years qty part # 000 price 65–00 means early ’65 to # 65M-7499
# years qty part # 000 price 00–65 means late ’65 from # 65M-7500
01 00–65 1 5950P 000 $0.00 axle spacer, outer
02 00–65 1 5953P 000 $0.00 axle spacer, inner brake plate
03 00–65 1 5954P 000 $0.00 axle spacer, inner left
04 66–66 1 5955P 000 $0.00 axle spacer, outer left
05 66–66 1 5956P 000 $0.00 axle spacer, outer brake plate
06 00–65 2 6017P 000 $0.00 seal washer
07 00–65 1 6018P 000 $0.00 spacer washer left ∅12 x 2?
10 00–65 1 7753P 000 $0.40 nut, pivot M6 x 5
11 65–00 1 8856P 000 $2.00 H67M ball 1/4″ bag of 22 (11/side)
12–65-72 2 9001P 000 $7.00 sealed bearing 6201Z 12-32-10
15 65–72 2 41593-65P $2.00 H113M axle washer, outer ∅12 x 1.5 or 2.0
16 65–72 2 41599-65P $4.00 H112M axle nut, outer M12-1.0 x 11 hex 19
20 65–66 1 41951-65 $0.00 cam assy 20+21
20 67–72 1 41951-67P $0.00 cam assy 20+21
22 65–72 1 42270-65P $4.00 H60 (P25) pinch bolt assy 22+8+9
23 65–72 1 42431-65P $4.00 adjuster assy 23+21
25 65–65 1 43018-65P none rim for 2.00-18, 36 hole
25 66–70 1 43018-66P none rim for 2.25-17, 36 hole
25 71–72 1 43018-71P none rim for 3.00?-17, 36 hole
26 65–65 1 43129-65? none tire original 2.00-18 (2.15 actual)
26 65–65 1 43129-65? $39.0 tire replacement 2.25-18 Mitas B4
26 66–70 1 43129-66 none tire original 2.00-17 (2.15 actual)
26 66–70 1 43129-66 $36.0 tire replacement 2.25-17 Shinko SR714
26 67–70 1 43129-67? none tire 2.50-17
26 71–72 1 43129-71? none tire 3.00?-17
26 65–65 1 43128-65P $11.0 tube 2.00/2.25-18 labeled as 2.25/2.50-18
49 66–70 1 43131-66P $10.0 tube 2.00/2.25-17 labeled as 2.25/2.50-17
27 65–00 1 43514-65P none wheel 2.00-18 loose ball
27 00–65 1 43517-65P none wheel 2.00-18 sealed bearing
27 66–66 1 43517-66P none wheel 2.00-17
27 67–70 1 43518-67P none wheel 2.50?-17
27 71–72 1 43518-71P none wheel 3.00?-17
28 65–00 1 43540-65P none hub bare ∅35
28-65-66 1 43541-65P none hub bare ∅35 with ∅32 sleeves
28 67–72 1 43541-67P none hub bare ∅32
29 65–00 2 43557-65P $16.0 H66M bearing cone M12-1.0
31 65–00 2 43559-65P $2.00 H56M cone lock nut M12-1.0 x 6 hex19
32 65–00 2 43721-65P $20.0 H68M dust shield ring
40 65–00 2 43747-65P $19.0 H69M bearing cup ∅35
41 65–00 2 43876-65P none axle threaded M12-1.0 x 150?
41 00–65 2 43877-65P none axle smooth M12-1.0 x 150?
41 66–72 2 43877-66P none axle smooth M12-1.0 x 160?
43 65–72 1 44073-65 $25.0 brake shoe set ∅90 x 18 Grimeca 090181
45 65–65 1 44143-65P none brake plate
45 66–66 1 44143-66P none brake plate
45 67–72 1 44143-67P none brake plate
46 65–66 1 44306-65 none H59 brake lever with H60 pinch bolt
46 67–72 1 44307-67P $10.0 H59 brake lever bare
page 24-26 Rear Wheel
# years qty part # 000 price 65–00 means early ’65 to # 65M-7499
# years qty part # 000 price 00–65 means late ’65 from # 65M-7500
15-65–72 2 9001P 000 $7.00 sealed bearing 6201Z 12-32-10
26 65–00 1 40993-65P none wheel 28T 2.00-18 loose balls
26 00–65 1 40994-65P none wheel 28T 2.00-18 sealed bearing
26 66–66 1 40994-66P none wheel 27T 2.25-17 for 2.00 tire
26 67–70 1 40994-67P none wheel 24T 2.25-17 for 2.50 tire
26 71–72 1 40994-71P none wheel 26T for 3.00?-17 tire
26 72–72 1 40994-72P none wheel 26T for 3.00?-16 tire
27 65–00 1 41018-65P none hub bare ∅35 ∅42.5 sprocket center
27-65–66 1 41021-65P none hub bare ∅35 ∅42.5 with ∅32 sleeves
27 67–71 1 41021-67P none hub bare ∅32 ∅39.5 sprocket center
27 72–72 1 41021-72P none hub bare ∅32 ∅39.5 sprocket center
28 65–00 1 41476-65P none sprocket 28T ∅42.5 ∅66 x 4
28 00–65 1 41483-65P none sprocket 28T ∅42.5 ∅66 x 4
28 66–66 1 41483-66P none sprocket 27T ∅42.5 ∅66 x 4
28 67–70 1 41483-67P none sprocket 24T ∅39.5 ∅62 x 4
28 71–72 1 41483-71P none sprocket 26T ∅39.5 ∅62 x 4
29 65–66 1 41486-65P $4.00 H122M lock plate 66 for ∅42.5 4-hole
29 67–72 1 41486-67P $4.00 H122 lock plate 62 for ∅39.5 4-hole
48 65–65 1 43018-65P none rim for 2.00-18, 36 hole
48 66–70 1 43018-66P none rim for 2.25-17, 36 hole
48 71–72 1 43018-71P none rim for 3.00?-17, 36 hole
48 72–72 1 43016-72P none rim for 3.00?-16, 36 hole
49 65–65 1 43129-65? none tire original 2.00-18 (2.15 actual)
49 65-65 1 43129-65? $39.0 tire replacement 2.25-18 Mitas B4
49 66–70 1 43127-66 none tire original 2.00-17 (2.15 actual) knobby
49 66–70 1 43129-66 none tire original 2.00-17 (2.15 actual)
49 66-70 1 43129-66 $36.0 tire replacement 2.25-17 Shinko SR714
49 65–65 1 43128-65P $11.0 tube 2.00/2.25-18 labeled as 2.25/2.50-18
49 66–70 1 43131-66P $10.0 tube 2.00/2.25-17 labeled as 2.25/2.50-17
60 65–72 1 44073-65 $25.0 brake shoe set ∅90 x 18 Grimeca 090181