Scooters were fairly popular in post-war America as relatively inexpensive and fun ways to get around, and they’re still a fun way to get into the vintage vehicle hobby without breaking the bank. The seller has this 1960 Harley-Davidson Topper listed here on eBay and it’s located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The current bid price is $2,800 and the reserve isn’t met yet, wow.
Just to get this out of the way, Hagerty’s #4 fair-condition value is $2,900, and this Topper isn’t even in running condition. Apparently, 2023 will be another year of crazy prices. In case you haven’t noticed, the cars and trucks that most of us grew up with are priced out of most of our lives, unfortunately. Hagerty is at $5,900 for a #2 excellent condition Harley Topper, so this one won’t be dropped off at a restoration shop, at least without being way over its monetary value.
The Topper was Harley’s answer to the popular but waning scooter market at the time, as they came out for the 1960 model year just as Japanese motorcycles were starting to enter the U.S. market, and we all know how that turned out. The Topper would last until 1965 and would go away after that. They were made in Milwaukee and weren’t an Italian import like most of Harley’s small motorcycles at the time and through the 1970s.
We saw a similar color Topper here on Barn Finds almost two years ago, and that seller was out in the stratosphere with their asking price. I can’t believe the bids are so high on this one, frankly, and even more surprising is that the seller’s reserve isn’t even met. Hagerty had better redo their spreadsheets. The seller says that this one is all original right down to the tires, but it isn’t in running condition.
The engine is an air-cooled two-stroke 164-cc single-cylinder and the transmission is a CVT-type, so no shifting. I can’t imagine paying $3,000 or more for a scooter that needs a full restoration and is only worth double that in perfect condition unless I had this exact version as a kid and wanted to relive those memories. Now that I think about it, that’s pretty much what the vintage vehicle hobby is about, isn’t it?
The seller is probably thinking “Harley!” and remembering the times they saw the dude on “American Pickers” going gaga over some classic H-D.
I remember seeing the magazine ads for these when they were new. Never used Brylcreem, so wasn’t interested.
My neighbor had a new one same color as this. Love the Pull start mechanism.
This is exactly the kind of thing that SHOULD be in Scottys “collection”. The Topper is one of those things most macho Harley riders would love to ignore. I never remember seeing any, and in growing up in Milwaukee, I surely would have noticed. The only salvation on these, was the Shriners rode them in parades in figure 8s and seemingly daredevil stunts,( to a kid) that we replicated on our bikes back home, and they looked awful silly, but the Shriners do a lot of good things, so it was okay.
I tried to find a date on the CVT for motorcycles. CVTs were nothing new, used in farm equipment and industrial applications since the 50s, but Wheel Horse was the 1st in garden tractors in ’65, and of course, Rokon in ’74, and snowmobiles in the 60s, but 1960 could be one of the earliest ones on a bike. Fun to see this stuff, and Wisconsin really was an industrial leader, biggest in the nation, perhaps,,,all practically gone. When Harley goes under, would someone turn out the lights,,
Can’t find any of them riding Toppers, movie cameras being in their infancy then, we never thought our phones would take better videos, but here they are today. Not sure what they are riding, but they used to practice at shopping malls and later, moved on to go-karts, that were faster and upped the ante a bit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qM6eub_E-o
It seems that HD goes in cycles(pun intended). They put out a scooter to take on Vespa, that I’ve only seen them for sale here, or other publications. Never in person. I’ve seen lots of Vespa’s. Old and brand new! Then, they get lax on the QC, right when Honda starts giving their bikes away. Reagan bails them out, they thrive, for decades. Then, when Willie A ages out, they start putting out goofy 600cc girls bikes, and top it off with an electric bike that might as well had a cord attached to it. I don’t think Uncle Sam is coming to the rescue, this time.
Your hatred of American made products is showing through! HD never built a “goofy 600 cc girls bike”! Not to mention what’s wrong with the fairer sex riding? The only negative I can honestly say? Is the prices they charge, but that has to do with how and where they’re manufactured, along with the cost of doing business.
Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon scooters we’re also CVT
“When Harley goes under, would someone turn out the lights.” He Howard you sure a cantankerous old f$@&. I suppose you said the same when Massy-Harris/Ferguson went under. I bet you’ll say the same when CNH leaves. You seem to forget we still have SC Johnson, Kohler, Quad Graphics, Generac, Badger Meter, just to mention a few. They are all hiring if you care to come out of retirement. I know there are many on this forum that enjoy your negativity but, as momma says sometimes if you have nothing good to say it’s best to say nothing. Just saying.
Now now Howard a, look how many times Indian motorcycle co went broke!
I never saw one of these ,looks pretty neat.I remember the shriners riding honda z50’s in parades in the early 70’s. This Harley is about 15 min.from me but too much dough.I could see 1500 to 2k area.
The engine of this awful looking abortion was an enlargement of the 1944 DKW RT125, the DKWRT125 being the most copied motorcycle engine of all time having singlehandedly started the entire Japanese motorcycle industry.
“Reserve isn’t met yet” (❗️) Cut the world a break, this ain’t a Road King!
Yup love those Cushmans!
I’ve never been a “scooter” fan, but I’m also not brave enough to ride one of these, especially on the roadways today… maybe these work better in low traffic areas, but I’d still be uncomfortable on one. This wouldn’t work where I live, when it is full of hills, steep grades, and roads that wind in all directions. Maybe I could ride the cart trails on the golf course??
That thing has a speedo that goes to 60? That’s gotta be a scary ride!
Especially when you have to stop….LOL
I am bad a$$, i ride a Harley!!
FWIW, I really wanted one of these after seeing “Kookie” riding one on the 77 Sunset Strip television show. Couldn’t afford it on lawn mowing money then and, while I appreciate it for its time and the memories, no longer interested in spending money on more two wheelers. Have enough non-runners now so no need to add fodder for the estate sale.
I think you are all missing the point here, the rarity of this cycle is the factor and cashed up collectors, and the original condition, I’m not surprised
The only way to get this up to 60mph would. Be. To drop it. From. A plane
I rode one of these and it did do an indicated 60mph!
Kookie, lend me your comb …
Auction update: this survivor sold for $3,500.