This scooter was introduced in 1961 and tried to hog the scooter scene by riding through the Mojave desert:
Can you identify this scooter?
ANSWER: The Harley-Davidson Topper!
The Topper was the only scooter that the Harley-Davidson company ever produced. It was introduced in 1961 and sold through 1965. It was a 165cc 2 stroke engine and required the rider to start it much like a lawn mower with a rope-recoil device. The engine was air cooled, but possessed no fan. Cooling was accomplished by the forward movement of the scooter into the air.
The gas tank held 1.7 gal, the seat height was 30 inches, the tires were 4.00 x 12 inch, the CVT transmission got it up to 46 mph utilizing a 9 hp engine.
"In 1959, a Topper was ridden from Bakersfield, California to Death Valley and back without repair or adjustments requiring tools. The route went through Trona, through the Mojave Desert to Stovepipe Wells, on to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level, then to Whitney Portal, 7,851 feet (2,393 m) above sea level on the side of Mount Whitney, after which it returned to Bakersfield.[11]" (from Wikepedia)
Yes...... I can but will hold back. I have a book that contains every scooter built since 400 B.C. and will leave this puzzle for other seekers.
ReplyDeleteWould like to know the title of that book! Stone age scoots, too? :=)
DeleteIt look vaguely familiar as having seen one at a recent show, but I can't remember off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how the headlight housing looks like a large soup can.
I was thinking the same thing!
Deleteis that a Fuji Rabit?
ReplyDeleteNope, but there's a clue in the comment line....
DeleteThink closer to home, this one isn't French or Italian.
ReplyDeleteAnd it was one of a kind, never to happen again....
DeleteNever would have guessed that Harley-Davidson made it!
ReplyDeleteAnd not such a cool-looking machine either...go figure!
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