“Littlest Harleys” Will Be At Torrington Thunder

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

The reaction Steve Delmonico of Cheshire gets from other riders when he takes his 1962 Pacer out in public is one of astonishment.  “The first thing they do is they read the gas tank,” said Delmonico, referring to the badge bearing the brand name, “and they ask me, ‘That’s a Harley-Davidson? I can’t believe it.’ Naturally I’ve got to tell them the whole story.”

Will Paley from Cornwall gets similar feedback when he’s out with his 1966 Sprint. “Some people have never seen it or heard of it, or even knew that Harley-Davidson had any lightweights,” said Paley.

These days, Harley-Davidson only makes big V-twins – 883cc and larger – but back in the late 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and into the 1970s the company built and even imported less bulky, smaller displacement bikes. They had names like Hummer, Pacer, M50 Sport, Ranger, Scat and Sprint. Harley even had a scooter called the Topper. If you’ve never seen any of them, now’s your chance.

Delmonico and Paley are bringing their small Harleys to Torrington Thunder on Friday night. They will be part of a display assembled by “The Republican-American” and RIDE-CT.com for the event that runs from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Torrington. Admission is $5 (or $10 if you plan to show a bike). Proceeds benefit the Torrington Police Department’s D.A.R.E. program.

How small are these Harleys? Delemonico’s Pacer has a 165cc, two-stroke engine that puts out eight horsepower. The bike has a three-speed transmission. He paid $2,500 for it about eight years ago. Paley’s Sprint has a 250cc engine with a four-speed tranny.  It was built in Italy by Aermacchi. Paley paid $1,800 for it three or four years ago.

There will also be a 1965 Topper owned by Dave Perillo of Killingworth in the display. He was locked in but emailed Thursday morning to say his truck had been involved in an accident and that it may not be back on the road in time to tote the Topper to Torrington, but called Friday afternoon to say he’d definitely make it.

Also in the display will be a customized 1941 Indian Four with sidecar owned by Bill Eggers of Goshen, a rare 1973 Triumph X-75 Hurricane owned by Dean Mojon of New Hartford and my own restoration project, a 1969 Triumph T100R Daytona. I’m predicting, though, that as eye-catching as these other bikes are, it’ll be the Harleys that most Torrington Thunder patrons will gape at. There will be one additional small Harley, too – a 1949 Hummer owned by Mike Stango of Terryville, who Delmonico convinced to contribute.

Harley began making Hummers in 1948. Between 1948 and 1950, it sold new for $325. Stango’s is a Model 125, which refers to its 125cc engine. It boasted 3.5 horsepower and got 90 mpg. Delmonico’s Pacer would easily whip it in what would be a very slow race. He said he’s also often asked of the Pacer, “‘How fast is it?’ I think I had it up to about 40 – top speed. It’s very slow. It’s more like a scooter. I think that’s what they tried to capitalize on.”

The Sprint is a bit speeder. “It probably has a top speed of 80,” said Paley, who rides the Sprint in vintage Moto Giro rallies. “It handles nicely.”

The Topper, meanwhile, was Harley’s only attempt at the scooter market. “It was made in Milwaukee from 1960-65. I think approximately 6,000 were made,” said Perillo in an email. “They were too late into the scooter market. Sales were sluggish and all hope was lost in ‘65.” The Topper had a 165cc, two-stroke engine. “Most people are shocked when they find out it’s a Harley,” he said.

So, if you’re now curious about small Harleys, just love motorcycles, or would maybe like to chat with the proprietor of RIDE-CT (as well as some of the owners of the bikes that will be on display), come to the 2^nd annual Torrington Thunder. Last year’s inaugural event attracted 500 bikes and 1,000 people. This year, the crowd should be much larger. I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait to talk bikes.