1956 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle in Watkins Glen,, New York

1956 Harley-Davidson Hummer Motorcycle
Designer: Dean Hummer

Estimate: $7,000 - $10,000

Engine Number: 56ST2546
Decoded: 56=1956; ST=125 cc engine; 2546=Unit number

Engine: 125 cc/2-stroke Single Cylinder
1-barrel Carburetor/Three bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Rear Wheel Mechanical Drum Brake

Odometer: 12,061 miles

• Genuine Harley Hummer
• Authentic Restoration
• Built For Safe Riding by the Factory

The Model –Based on captured documents from DKW, in the early post-war years, Harley-Davidson looked to capture the lightweight motorcycle market in the USA. While technically the Hummer didn’t come along until 1955, the small Harley did quite well in getting young people to experience the joy of motorcycling in a rather tame fashion. In 1951 the Tele-glide front forks were adopted. A larger 165cc version was created, but Dean Hummer, a leading dealer in these small bikes proved that with proper marketing the 125cc version was still a viable machine in the market. To honor his dedication to the small bikes, starting in 1955, the economical two-stroke Harley was marketed as the Hummer. It would stay in production up to 1959, and while the other small Harley-Davidsons of the era were officially known by specific model designations, today these post-war two-cycle fun machines are often collectively called Hummers.

The Motorcycle – From the engine number, it has been verified that this Harley-Davidson is a genuine Hummer. While the original DKW designs were shared with both Russia for the production of the Mockba MA1 as well as the British built BSA Bantam, Harley was always trying to make a good thing better. The Tele-Glide front forks, better breathing valves and more durable engine casings made the Harley Hummer the only two-stroke to own. This example appears to have been given a restoration a few years back and is complete down to the color-keyed handle-bar grips. Mounted at the ready is a can of genuine Harley Davidson Two-Stroke Oil, while the seat appears brand new and this bike ever retains it original headlight and taillight units. Vintage motorcycles are basic and often primitive machines, but we agree with Harley’s advertising of the day, this bike was built for “Safe Riding”.