In the late 1960s, the market for small-bore two-stroke trail
bikes was exploding. When Harley-Davidson realized that Hodaka
was selling 10,000 bikes a year, they decided to jump into the
100cc trailbike market. Since Harley owned the Italian Aermacchi
factory, they had them build an Italian-sourced Harley dirt
bike. It was called the Harley Baja 100 and was hopelessly tall,
short wheel-based, underpowered and ill-handling.
But Harley didn’t give up on the Baja 100. They had their race team hire some
of the best desert racers in SoCal. The riders included Bruce Ogilvie, Terry
Clark, Earl Roeseler, Larry Roeseler and Mitch Mayes. As you would expect, Baja
100s were soon dominating the trailbike class and selling like hot cakes.
Unfortunately, what the customers were buying wasn’t what the Harley team was
racing. The stock Baja 100 had rigid footpegs, no horsepower, a huge overlay
sprocket on the rear wheel (that often came loose), a tank shaped like a
lunchbox and a very hard seat. Oh, did we mention stupid handlebars and
street-bike grips? The Bajas did, however, have Baby Ceriani forks, abundant
ground clearance and racy Italian looks. Harley-Davidson’s entry into the
offroad market coincided with the arrival of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki
on the scene. It didn’t take long for Baja customers to realize that they had
been duped. Harley-Davidson tried to enter the dirt bike market twice after that
— once in 1976 with the rear-forked 250 and again in 1978 with the ill-fated
MX250. 1971 HARLEY-DAVIDSON BAJA 100 FACTS
WHAT THEY COST Suggested retail in 1971 was $670. Harley Bajas are growing in
popularity as collector bikes, and a well-restored example can sell for as much
as $7500.
MODELS
Harley sold the Baja 100 in 1970 and 1971. In 1972 through 1974, they
produced the SR100, which was basically a Baja 100 with lights. The offroad
version was discontinued.