I recently acquired a couple of 1950's Italian motorcycles. This one is a 1952 Aermacchi Cigno 125. Aermacchi was originally an Italian aircraft manufacturer founded in 1912 by Giulio Macchi. After WWII they began producing motorcycles to fill the post-war need for inexpensive, efficient transportation.The Cigno was the very first motorcycle that Aermacchi produced from 1951-53. In 1960 Harley Davidson purchased 50% of Aermacchi's motorcycle division and by 1974 owned the motorcycle division outright. Harley Davidson Aermacchi's are quite common in the US, but early pre-Harley Aermacchi's are quite scarce in the US. For a 60 year motorcycle, this one is in pretty amazing original condition.
This motorcycle has some very unique features. What at first glance appears to be a gas tank is actually a storage compartment that can be dropped down converting the bike into a step through scooter type configuration. With the storage compartment up, the bike has more of a traditional motorcycle appearance. The gas tank is located under the front solo seat. You can see the gas cap below the seat. It's a little awkward putting gas in the bike. You need a can with a flexible spout.
Another unique feature is the engine mounted to the pivoting rear swing arm with the exhaust being routed through the swing arm.
Even though this bike has a few spots of light surface rust, some dings and scratches, it has a really nice original patina. There's part of me that would like to touch up an re-chrome a few things on the bike, and there's a part of me that would like to leave it as is. As they say, it's only original once.
SWEET CIGNO.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the Engine Number?
We have an original Cigno too. Export Model.
We think we have the Oldest Running Cigno in the USA???
1951.
BDFRY@FLASH.NET
Ride'm
Brian in Chicago