The 1948Harley - DavidsonS-125 bike was Harley ’s offering to a postwar hearing looking for cheap and true exile .
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At the close ofWorld War II , thousands of G.I.s returned to the states thirsty for wheeled mobility . Many had seen or expend meter on Harley - Davidson ’s WLA military motorcycles overseas , and now thirst one of their own .
With finances being tight for many , Harley decide to establish a small , cheap car for the Mass . The result was the S-125 .
With a single - cylindertwo - stroke enginedesigned by DKW of Germany , this was not the kind of bike most citizenry relate with Harley - Davidson . Yet the caller take 10,000 were sell in the first seven months of 1947 .
Producing only threehorsepower , the S-125 had a tough time hit 55 miles per hour . Though a girder fork with coil spring was used up front , the rear had no temporary removal other than that provided by the sprung bicycle seat .
But with a three - fastness gearbox , foot sack , and handclutch , the lightweight bike was simple and leisurely to operate . Many were " personalized " by add the optional chrome rack rim .
Several change benefited the little Harley during its 13 - class spirit span . Most notable was a transposition to modern " Teleglide " telescopic forks in 1951 , and a boost in engine sizing to 165 cubic centimetre in 1954 .
The following year the bike became have a go at it as the Hummer , and it keep with only minor update through 1959 , after which it was deteriorate in favor of more contemporary designs .
More pictures of the 1948 Harley - Davidson S-125 bike are on the next page .
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1948 Harley-Davidson S-125 Pictures
The 1948Harley - DavidsonS-125 bike was the first Harley consumer motorcycle to offer the modern handclutch / invertebrate foot displacement introduced on the military - only XA model . The S125 also feature girder - style front branching .
