On April 3, 2012 The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum will open a “motorcycle exhibit named “Dusty Jewels: Off-Road Motorcycles of the 1970s.” featuring more than 20 motorcycles that tell the story of off-road motorcycles of the 1970′s. This period was a high water mark” of interest in motorcycling before the decline in motorcycle sales in the 1980s and 1990s. A unique variety of manufacturers worldwide supplied the US with motorcycles that were both functionally cutting-edge and aesthetically very different from one another.
This decade was marked by the invention of long-travel suspension, classic frame geometry, and the development of the lightweight two-stroke engine. These factors together contributed to the creation of the first modern off-road motorcycles whose basic design is still utilized today. 1970s motorcycles also reflected design trends from the various countries of manufacture. Machines were truly varied in their execution, and most of this innate character could be traced to aspects of the cultures that made them.
The “Dusty Jewels” exhibition explores the off-road aspect of the 1970s motorcycle boom in America, and particularly highlights the aesthetics of these bikes . Among the many exquisite machines on display will be: BSA, Rickman, and Sprite (England); Maico and DKW (Germany); Ossa, Montesa, and Bultaco (Spain); Puch (Austria); Harley-Davidson, Penton, Yankee, and Rupp (USA); CZ (Czechoslovakia); Yamaha (Japan); and Husqvarna and Monark (Sweden). The exhibit will feature examples of the most beautiful off-road motorcycles ever made, as well as commenting on the transformative events of the 1970s, both within motorcycling and in the culture at large.
The AACA Museum is located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Regular admission $10, seniors age 61 and older $9, juniors age 4-12 $7, children age 3 and under are FREE. The Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and select evening hours during the summer months. For further information, please call 717-566-7100 or visit AACAM Museum
Complete Vehicle Listing:
1965 CZ “Side-piper” Motocross
1969/70 Hodaka Super Rat
1970 DKW 125 Boondocker
1970 Maico MC250
1970 Rupp Scrambler
1970 BSA 441 Victor Special
1971 Sprite 125
1972 Bultaco 200 Pursang
1972 Monark 125
1972 Ossa 250 Stiletto
1972 Rickman-Zundapp 125
1972 Montesa Cappra 250 (“Grey Ghost”)
1972 Yankee 500Z (custom flat-tracker)
1973 CZ 250 Motocross
1973 Maico (Wheelsmith/ASR) 440
1973 Penton 175 Jackpiner
1973 Puch 175 Motocross
1975 Husqvarna CR250
1978 Montesa 360 VB
1974 Yamaha YZ250
1974 Harley-Davidson Baja 100
We rode Ossa Stilleto’s and Bultaco’s in the late 60’s. 2500 cc was plenty enough speed. My Ossa was a reliable starter. Rin….rin-rin-rin-rin…. Lotsa’ dirt flying. 🙂
Scrambled & motocrossed 250 Bultaco Pursangs & CZs in New England late 60’s & early 70’s.
Great days in USA dirt racing evolution.
Great trip down memory lane! Would have thought the first year Honda Elsinore 250 (1973?) would have made the cut for this show. It certainly had that WOW factor back in the day.
Joel Roberet, Arnie Krin, Roger de Costa, Friedl Kredle (from my hometown in Kitzbuhel). I spelled all their names wrong on purpose. 🙂 They ripped. All of my friends thought we were as good as they were…..and we ripped w/o helmets..
Cool. peace
Look at all those Legends and great times they were blasting around all the City Parks that and Public Golf Courses Jumping the Greens were wild. I will bet the Yami YZ 125 will run Circles around all the Bikes on the List! If the Husky 400 was on the list, then that’s a nay on the YZ..
Remember the “Road Toad” and the “Dirt Squirt”?
Brian- Don’t forget the “Combat Wombat”.