Harley Topper

[Aviatrixie]

When I was 15 and we had just moved to Pittsburgh from another state the first person near my age that I met was the boy next door who had a Harley Davidson Topper. This was in 1968, and I have no idea how old the scooter was then, but I do remember it was sort of a grayish blue and pretty big. Of course I was pretty small then too. He used to take me for rides on it and I recall it was pretty fast. I didn't know anything about motorbikes then, but I think I recall he used to have to add oil to the gas. I do remember it was all metal.

I bring this up because I think this may have been the only scooter Harley ever made. I'd imagine it would be quite collectable now.

Oh... and we lived out in the country then, and he had sort of a motocross track set up in his back yard. I used to watch that Topper completely leave the ground on a jump he made! LOL


Erika

[Aviatrixie]

I got curious and decided to Google Harley Topper. I got some interesting hits! Apparently Harley Davidson sold the Topper from 1961 to 1964. Here's a link to an advertisement for the 1961 Topper:

1961 Topper ad (http://www.scooterridermag.com/museum.html)


I also found a Topper for sale on eBay. The title for the auction says it's a 1962, but a note by the seller indicates the VIN number indicates it's actually a 1964. It's unrestored and sounds a bit ratty, but bidding at the time I'm posting this is up to $1550 and still hasn't made reserve. I guess somebody thinks they're collectable! Here's the link to the ad:

eBay Topper listing (cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4505534506)

[King Vino]

I recall they looked like a toaster on crack too :)

[Aviatrixie]

LOL... Hi King :)

I agree... even as a 15 year old girl who knew nothing about scooters I thought Daryl's Topper was a boxy ugly thing. I would never have told him that tho. He was a nice guy and I could always count on him for a ride to Donaldson's Crossroads or South Hills Village on it. After all, I was still too young to drive. ;)