Hummer Question

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Pete808
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Hummer Question

#1

Post by Pete808 »

I worked an event the other day and there was a 1959 Harley Hummer on display there. This is the first time I have seen one of these up close. I do not think there are many out here in Hawaii. I am not familiar with these models at all and have never considered one but after seeing it I thought it was kind of cool to use around the neighborhood. It basically would be a toy, maybe my kids can ride it in a few years when they get bigger. I live in a smaller beachy town where speed limits are no more then 35. I wouldn't ride it out of town, just around the area for fun. What do you guys think about them? Are they worth getting into or a complete waste of cash? It's only $5k so it seems like a rather inexpensive item. Any suggestions or advice on these would be appreciated.
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Re: Hummer Question

#2

Post by RUBONE »

I have a couple lightweights because I like them. Be careful with the "Hummer" moniker, as it truly only applies to actual Hummers, an inexpensive model introduced in '55 as a price point bike. The lightweights started in the '48 model year as a "125" model S. In '51 the forks changed to telescopic type from the previos "rubber band" girders. In '53 the displacement was raised to 165. in '55 the "Hummer" was introduced as a cheaper alternative to the 165. Between '60 and '66 (the last year of American made lightweights as H-D had invested heavily in Aermacchi and so marketed those products instead) there was the "Super 10", Pacer, "Scat", "Ranger", "Bobcat", all with different features and price points including a displacement jump to 175.
5K is about average for a CORRECTLY restored model, although most are not.
Pictures would help, as the Hummer name has become very generic....
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Re: Hummer Question

#3

Post by Pete808 »

RUBONE wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:40 am I have a couple lightweights because I like them. Be careful with the "Hummer" moniker, as it truly only applies to actual Hummers, an inexpensive model introduced in '55 as a price point bike. The lightweights started in the '48 model year as a "125" model S. In '51 the forks changed to telescopic type from the previos "rubber band" girders. In '53 the displacement was raised to 165. in '55 the "Hummer" was introduced as a cheaper alternative to the 165. Between '60 and '66 (the last year of American made lightweights as H-D had invested heavily in Aermacchi and so marketed those products instead) there was the "Super 10", Pacer, "Scat", "Ranger", "Bobcat", all with different features and price points including a displacement jump to 175.
5K is about average for a CORRECTLY restored model, although most are not.
Pictures would help, as the Hummer name has become very generic....
Thanks for the response. I did not take pics but I asked our event photographer to snap a bunch and email them to me, along with the 1942 WLA that was there. Once he sends them to me I will post pictures of both. I assume that the Hummer or whatever this was is not restored correctly but nicely done. I would like to negotiate a fair price with the guy, so once I load the pics maybe you guys could chime in and let me know what is there and what is missing.
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Re: Hummer Question

#4

Post by RUBONE »

Piotr,
Go here and look until your head explodes!!! :mrgreen:

http://www.harleyhummerclub.org/
Pete808
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Re: Hummer Question

#5

Post by Pete808 »

That link you sent lead me to this website which has the exact bike I'm talking about on it. Here is the site, it's the first bike in the for sale section. The 45 in the background is for sale as well but the price is too steep for me.

http://harleyhummer.com/about
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Re: Hummer Question

#6

Post by kitabel »

Harley got the rights to produce the 2-stroke engine as part of German reparations for WW2. The German motorcycle was called Das Kleine Wunder - the little wonder. It was made and sold by DKW, one of the original four Auto Union companies. The British got the same deal, their bike was sold as the BSA Bantam.
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Re: Hummer Question

#7

Post by Bigincher »

Pete, here's a thought....
The ad says the seller will pay for shipping to docks in San Diego. If it is sold on the island, wouldn't it be reasonable to deduct that amount from the selling price...?
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Re: Hummer Question

#8

Post by Pete808 »

Bigincher wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2017 4:50 am Pete, here's a thought....
The ad says the seller will pay for shipping to docks in San Diego. If it is sold on the island, wouldn't it be reasonable to deduct that amount from the selling price...?
Yes, I'm right there with you. I spoke with him about that and have come to an agreement on what I think is a fair number. I just don't know what, if anything on this bike is oem. Although for this amount I guess it shouldn't matter to much? Now all I have to do is sell a watch or something to come up with the cash.
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Re: Hummer Question

#9

Post by RUBONE »

Quite a bit wrong on it Pete.
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Re: Hummer Question

#10

Post by Pete808 »

Are the parts that are incorrect especially expensive or very difficult to find? At this price point are they worth restoring to original? Considering that if I find one on the mainland I would jave to pay at least $600 to get it here and might not be able to register it because its a 2 stroke, this one is registered here already, what should I offer?
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Re: Hummer Question

#11

Post by RUBONE »

Registered there? The ad say California title. The biggest issues it has are wrong finishes, wrong voltage regulator, missing tool box, wrong seat, wrong pegs, unknown object above the pipe on right side. The 165 was the cool model and were loaded with chrome along with lots of Cadmium plating. Very little black. And the missing tool box is a concern as the mounting tabs do not appear on the frame, which to me indicates a mismatched engine and frame. To me it is overpriced. But I am cheap anyway. Probably should be an Indian rider... :P
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Re: Hummer Question

#12

Post by Pete808 »

Yeah I thought the cali title was weird side he said the plates are in storage, and if they are in storage here then they have to be Hawaii plates. I'll get clarification on that. I have a friend trying to locate another one for me here but so far no one is selling. The object in the picture above the exhaust is a black horn. I'll take a closer look for the tool box tabs.
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Re: Hummer Question

#13

Post by RUBONE »

Not the horn, the odd looking thing in front of the timing cover....
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Re: Hummer Question

#14

Post by Pete808 »

I'm gonna go get a closer look in a few days. @Rubone do you have an image or diagram of where the tool box mount should be so that I know what I'm looking at when I go see it?

thanks
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Re: Hummer Question

#15

Post by Pete808 »

Ok, so I ended up getting the bike for a better deal after finding out a couple other things on it. The biggest reason for the reduction is the title issue. The bike is titled with a CA vin that was applied years ago in California. It currently has a Hawaii title and registration that I am working on fixing. Looks like I will probably just have to buy another engine and title or something long those lines rather then messing with the current paperwork. For now I'll just run it as is, it doesn't bother me but eventually I'll try and fix the issue. Here are some pics.
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