1969 Harley-Davidson ML 125 Rapido by Aermacchi

This is my 1969 Harley-Davidson ML 125 "Rapido," a 125 cc 2 stroke 4 speed street bike made in Italy by Aermacchi. This is a so-called "Spaghetti Harley." In the middle of 1969, the ML 125 production line was switched from a street bike to a trail bike. Thus, there were only 1,000 of these motorcycles made. The most notable distinguishing feature is the right-hand shift, with a one up, three down pattern. 1969 and subsequent trail models had a left-hand shift with a standard pattern. This bike has less than 5,000 miles on it. Corrosion is minor. The tank is shiny inside. The engine is 2 stroke, meaning that 2 stroke oil must be added to the gas, just like a dirt bike or a Vespa. All the engine gaskets have been replaced. Compression is good, with plenty of torque and a rich, throaty idle. How fast does it go? I chickened out at 75 m.p.h. Riding doubles is no problem in the city, but I wouldn't recommend it on the highway. I have put 1,000+ miles on this motorcycle in a year. It is very reliable.

Everything on this motorcycle is stock, with the following exceptions:

- New Michelin Gazelle tires.

- New sealed bearings for the wheels.

- New chain.

- New light bulbs.

- New gaskets.

- New clubman bars (original bars included).

- New brake, throttle, and clutch cables (cable housings remain stock length for retrofit to stock bars).

been working at this corner store, living on the beach, being in a band.

Well, a lot has happened in the last year. After a brief stay with Justin of Nobunny fame, I moved off the roof of Hotel Excelsior and into an apartment by Baker Beach in the Presidio, with Sam Israel. He and I had shared the Hotel Excelsior roof as well as playing together (briefly) in the Fault Lines. I landed a job at a 3 movie theater chain. I had some cool co-workers: Tin Yan Lee, a film school grad, her husband (hahah!) J.R. Reynolds, and Joshua Yazzie, a punk rock international affairs student. I learned how to run the projectors (sort of) and spent a lot of time reading Dostoevsky that winter. I bought a moped from an Air Force guy I met at the marina across the Golden Gate bridge. It's a green 1978 Puch Maxi. It was in pieces. I paid $150 for it. After a lot of work, I got it running.