History and evolution
In 1960 the American Harley Davidson and
the Italian Aermacchi (previously named Aeronautica Macchi) located in
Varese city, formed the AERMACCHI HARLEY DAVIDSON company for the
production of light motorcycles in Italy. Since 1973 the brand becomes AMF-HD,
or rather the takeover of the American Machine Foundry in place of
Aermacchi. Motorcycle production stops in 1978, when Harley Davidson decides to
abandon the Italian production. In the same year Cagiva, born as small metal
parts factory founded by Giovanni Castiglioni, relieve the company to continue
its motorcycle pruduction. Below is a brief history of his first workhorse, the SST
125.
6F = SS 125 e SST 125
9E = SS 250
7T = SST 250
6A = SS 350 (4 stroke)
8F = SST 350 (2 stroke)
THE ORIGIN (1975-1977)
The first SS 125 produced had the serial number
6F-60000 H5 (OM 14754). These bikes had drum brakes on both wheels, exclusively
with spokes. The instrumentation consisted of only the odometer while next to it there was the ignition key. It was
equipped with an air-cooled 1971 SX engine type, already mounted on the previous Aermacchi X90 - Z90 - SXT. Over time the engine has undergone minor improvements. Other features: wand arrows, screw fuel cap, VHB 27 carburetor, only two warning lights: arrows and high beam. The stickers on the tank bore the words AMF Harley Davidson and the typical stripes were opposed to each other.
AMF-HD SS 125, year 1975
(Picture from: www.aermacchi-world.de)
FIRST EVOLUTION (1978)
Since 1978, significant changes are
introduced in the equipment and the model name becomes SST 125 (OM
14754 with upgrade OM 17697).
First of all, the introduction of the disc brakes on the front wheel, instead
of the drum. The power system is equipped with a new air filter box. The instrument panel is modernized with the introduction of the electronic tachometer (previously absent) and with the
ignition key placed in the middle of the panel. The lights are increased from two to three:
charging battery (GEN), turns (TURN), high beam (HIGH BEAM). The stripes on the tank
decreasing from 6 to 5 and take on the known configuration adopted until 1983.
AMF-HD SST 125, year 1978
(Picture from: http://arnaudharley125.skyrock.com/)
THE CAGIVA EPIC (1979)
The Schiranna (VA) factory was releaved by Cagiva which continued to produce the same Harley Davidson models. Cagiva's ability was to relaunch the company through an unprecedented marketing operation. In particular, the
SST 125 became the best-selling bike in Italy, setting a record. Following commercial agreements, the motorcycles were produced under the double brand
HD-Cagiva. The serial number numbering system assumes the format 6F-xxxxx, where
6F indicates the model and xxxxx indicates the number of units produced, regardless of the current year. The first serial number HD-CAGIVA SST 125 is
6F-81000. A new homologation (OM 19201) was requested and obtained for the SST 125 model, which will be stamped
on the frame starting from 6F-82102. It was in this circumstance that Cagiva placed the frieze of the Italian
"elephant" on the motorcycle to replace the American "eagle". After about a year, the double trademark was abandoned in favor of the Cagiva indication only, starting with chassis
6F-84123.
HD-CAGIVA SST 125, year 1979
(Credits: Simone from Pistoia)
SECOND EVOLUTION (1980-1983)
In 1980 Cagiva presented the SST model with several improvements, above all aesthetic: straight chain guard,
VHBT 27 AD carburetor, removal of the control block on the right handlebar (engine stop) and replacement of the control block on the left handlebar, snap-on fuel cap, Cagiva logo on the left crankcase , arrows with hard rubber stem, straight crank. There was the possibility to choose two variants: classic
RR with spoked wheels or RL with molded alloy wheels, fashionable in those years. There were four colors available: metallic blue, black, white, gray. Red was subsequently reintroduced in a limited series. The initial serial number of the
125/81 model is 6F-91524, while the initial serial number of the SST / 82 model is
6F-104024.
In 1982 the SST 125 model was the subject of a further innovation: starting with chassis
6F-108816 the electronic ignition was installed. Until then, the electrical system, unlike the 250 and 350, was powered by a
Dansi mechanical flywheel alternator with contact breaker; the new electronic flywheel was a
"Mini 6 Hierro" from the Spanish Motoplat.
CAGIVA SST 125 RR spoke wheels
(Credits: Carlo from Varese and Harry from Osnabruck
(Germany)
CAGIVA SST 125 RL integral wheels
(Credits: Luigi from Nuoro)
THIRD EVOLUTION (1983-1984)
After the great success achieved by its
workhorse, Cagiva decides to submit a new range of models named ALETTA (ALA for
250 and 350 cc), a name previously used for Aermacchi models. The new
restyling sign the abandonment of Harley Davidson style in favor of the new category
named enduro motorcycle that was taking the new customer preferences. Thus began the times of the legendary
Aletta Rossa, another great Brand success. In this phase the SST substantially maintained its road bike characteristics, practically always with the old HD engine. The model was called
Cagiva Aletta SST 125 whose initial serial number was 6F-121025
with several renovations including: the front fairing, a new instrument panel with the addition of various warning lights
(oil, neutral, reserve gasoline), changing the
rear tail and its support. The typical stripes were abandoned and replaced
with a drawing that recalled the shape. The logo "Cagiva" on
the tank was embossed. To install the "neutral" spy a small engine change
was required: on left crankcase side a switch has been installed. The Aletta SST was produced exclusively with
integral wheels, silver or
gold. The Aletta SST 125 was flanked by an extravagant version: the SST 125 C a
custom bike better known as Cagiva Low Rider. The model had standard spoked wheels, doubled
seat, chopper handlebar and chrome fenders. The chassis
and the engine were identical.
CAGIVA ALETTA SST 125 and CAGIVA LOW RIDER
(from web)
THE END OF SST (1984)
Cagiva had understood in which direction the market was moving, meeting both the needs of the public and fighting the fierce competition from Italian and foreign manufacturers. The
customers, especially the youth, was focusing on the more versatile "enduro" and models with increasingly modern and performing engines. HD engines were now obsolete. In the last months of production, Cagiva made a restyling of the SST: the Aletta SST 125 was renamed
ALETTA OFFICIAL. In fact, nothing changed, except the bi-color body with an olive green seat. The stickers disappeared and only one was left on the left and right boxes to remember the model name. On the other hand, Cagiva was already betting everything on the new road motorcycle that would supplant the SST, that is the Aletta Electra. The
6F SS motorcycle had by now done its part and its production was abandoned after almost 10 years of success.
CAGIVA ALETTA OFFICIAL, last SST
(from web)
SX engine
The SST engine is derived from an SX engine (year 1971) that equipped previous Aermacchi HD models, including Z90, X90, SX125, SS125. Over the years has been modified to fit on the various models. The serial number identification is printed up to the crankcase covers. On the left case Cagiva SX is printed, while the right case is printed with the serial number itself. It has the following format:
Y yyxxxxx
where Y is a standard character, yy indicates the last two digits of year of construction and xxxxx is the number of units produced in that year. For example Y 8302603 indicates the engine No. 02603 manufactured in year 1983.
The new 125's era
NEW CAGIVA MODELS
Can not miss a brief overview of successive Cagiva models that have become icons of young
peoples. The ALETTA ELECTRA
125 (1984), the road bike with sinuous and modern line, new chassis and new engine
gearbox, electric starter and mono shock absorber "Soft Dump"; the
mentioned ALETTA
ROSSA 125 (1983) (a Cagiva SXT evolution) an enduro with water cooled
engine and with mono shock absorber "Soft Dump" object of worship and fashion
for young people of that time; the Aletta Rossa "sequel" — the ELEFANT
125 produced since 1984 to 1985 (first series), another enduro "dakar"
style, equippped with large fuel tank, ALETTA ORO S1 125 designed as
sport bike; TAMANACO 125 the Elefant sequel, a 50 cc version was named as
COCIS;
FRECCIA series as C9, C10 R, C12 R; the famous MITO the real sport bike,
produced for over 20 years and ended in year 2012.
CAGIVA ALETTA ELECTRA - CAGIVA ALETTA ROSSA - CAGIVA ELEFANT - CAGIVA ALETTA ORO
(Credits: Stefano from Pistoia and from web)
CAGIVA TAMANACO - CAGIVA FRECCIA C10 R - CAGIVA MITO
(Credits: wikipedia)