In 1969, Yamaha released its wildly popular 250cc DT-1, selling around 50,000 units in its first couple years of production. Other manufacturers took notice of this, including Harley-Davidson. They would toss their hat in the MX-ring the following year in an effort to nab a piece of the booming off-road segment. Harley had recently purchased a large stake in Aermacchi, producing numerous small-displacement machines that were atypical of the iconic Milwaukee-based manufacturer. In ’69, Harley began offering what was essentially a version of the 125cc Aermacchi Rapido with a high-pipe, though it still wasn’t really much of an off-roader. In ’73 Harley released the SX125 MXer, shortly followed by the SX175 in ’74.
The SX lineup wasn’t particularly successful for Harley – the usual buyer was inclined to go with a more traditional manufacturer and Harley dealers were more interested in moving the bigger bikes (with bigger margins). The 174.1cc two-stroke engine was good for a claimed 17 horsepower, pushed through a 5-speed transmission. It utilized a 19″ front wheel, 18″ rear wheel, and drum brakes. The whole package weighed 247 pounds.
This example is VIN: 5D11147H4 with matching engine number. The seller acquired it two years ago from a private party on Facebook Marketplace.
The seller has not ridden the bike during his ownership. The odometer shows 1 mile since it’s full engine rebuild. The bike is True Mileage Unknown.
Maintenance:
“The bike was purchased in extremely rough condition. It was completely gone through and restored with no attention to factory details spared. Absolutely no part of this bike went untouched. Fully documented. Rebuild photos, all invoices, personal build sheet and Clean CA title. Carefully stored in protective sleeves in a hard back binder. No known mechanical issues. Starts and runs as it should. All lights, indicators, and horn work. Had 3 heat cycles. Never been ridden since rebuild.”
Modifications:
Entire rebuild was provided with 90% NOS factory original Harley-Davidson AMF parts. Almost all brand new aside from a handful of small things. A factory brand new NOS 1974 SX-175 harness could not be obtained. (Only used. Unacceptable.) So the harness was converted/upgraded to a Brand new NOS factory SX-175 dual switch harness for the 1976-78 Harley-Davidson AMF SX-175 model. The only difference between these 2 harnesses. Is the number of control switches. The early 1974-75 models used a single control switch and aluminum perch clamps. The late 1976-78 harnesses used a dual control switch setup, with steel perches. Extensive research was done to ensure this is the only difference between the harnesses. Perches and hardware are all factory NOS AMF Harley-Davidson perches for the late dual switch setup. Switches are brand new NOS AMF Harley-Davidson factory switches for the late 1976-78 setup.
The rear brake light was missing and upgraded to a 1970’s era correct Harley-Davidson tombstone tailight. (Used factory NOS rear brake light included.) The “oil injection” was “deleted”. But a brand new NOS factory Mikuni oil pump was installed as it should be. Primed with oil for lubrication and capped. Original rebuilt Dellorto VHB27A carb, NOS throttle tube and brand new NOS factory oil pump/throttle cable assembly are included making reversal if deletion and restoring oil injection easy. And even more original. A Keihin choke Carburetor equipped with a 2 stroke atomizer, Nibbi air filter, pro taper throttle tube and cable was installed for optimal fuel delivery and cylinder/rings set.
Factory paint job was unsalvageable. So a 1970’s era correct military color scheme was applied to keep the AMF utilitarian look and give some historical justice back to the paint scheme and not random colors. The decals were upgraded from 1974 to 1976 brand new NOS factory AMF Harley-Davidson decals. Matching the harness/control switch upgrade. The speedometer/tachometer and front brake cables are modern upgraded cables made to factory specifications with NOS factory hardware by Barnnett cables.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Kenda tires with date codes of 3124 and 0924. “From the factory the SX-175 models all came stock with street style tires. This style was abandoned and replaced with authentic ALT DOT approved tires made by Kenda. Kenda Melville II in the front. And the Kenda Klassic in the back. The Melville II tire option was not available in the rear. And the Kenda Klassic was not available for the front. These 2 styles are 100% compatible on Kenda’s performance chart for tread performance and are 100% dual purpose and DOT approved. Heavy duty 4MM IRC inner tubes.”
The sale includes 1 ignition key and the following extra parts:
“Original Dellorto VHB27a carburetor rebuilt.
Extra parts from Dellorto rebuild kit
NOS factory air box and filter
Brand new NOS factory front brake pads
NOS throttle tube and brand new NOS throttle cable assembly
Used NOS factory 1974 AMF rear tailight
The front brake pads and clutch pads were surprisingly in excellent condition. Brand new NOS brake pads come with it as mentioned.”
Cosmetic Blemishes:
The seller states:”There is very little cosmetic issues with the bike. There is a small blemish on the tank near the cap from fuel. A handful of scuffs and marks from overall installation of parts during rebuild over a year and a half. But nothing that is a sore thumb. At least that I noticed.”
Please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Woodland, California, this Harley-Davidson is offered on a clean California title and is currently on Planned Non Operation registration status. The seller states that for a street registration to be obtained “it needs a CA brake and light inspection, (which it is guaranteed to pass.) and it can be registered for road use.”
Have any SX-175 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
