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 Aermacchi - 175 Chimera
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
8916

Capacity : 175
Model : Chimera
Production : 1956 - 1961
Category : (R) Street Bike

AERMACCHI

Chimera – 1956

Tomorrow's styling today

Aeronautica Macchi of Italy, had a long, distinguished history of building planes, from trophy racers to WWII fighters that defended Italian honor around the pylon circuits and – on the front lines. After WWII, Aermacchi, as the firm became known, searched for a new, peacetime industry since it was no longer allowed to build aviation products because of the war settlements. In 1950, Aermacchi began manufacturing motorcycles, offering economical transportation.

The Dream

One of Aermacchi's first creations was its Chimera, or "Dream," model. The intriguing body styling was created by well-known car designer Conte Revelli and was made from lightweight cast aluminum, which showed off the firm's roots in aviation technology. The bodywork completely covered the engine and gas tank as well as serving as the rear fender; like Piaggio and Innocenti's brilliant Vespa and Lambretta scooters, the Chimera provided protection from the elements.

The Dream Lives On

But the Chimera was an odd case of too much, too soon: the motoring public simply was not ready for the eccentric cycle, and by 1959, Aermacchi canceled its production. But one element of the Chimera lived on and 'established the Aermacchi legend. The phenomenal four-stroke horizontal single-cylinder engine created by Alfredo Bianchi was carried over into the firm's new line of motorcyles, including the Ala d'Oro, or Gold Wing, and continued on to power Harley-Davidson's great Sprint line in the 1960s.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 172.4cc (60x61 mm) air-cooled horizontal single-cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 13 hp

Valves: overhead valves driven by pushrods

Fuel System: Dell'Orto carburetor

Transmission: 4-speed gearbox

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm (rear)

Brakes: drum brakes (front & rear)

Wheels: wire laced 18 inch (front & rear)

Weight: approx. 200 lb

Maximum Speed: approx. 60 mph

Something really new





Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.