The Little Harley That Could: A Closer Look at the 1948 Hummer (And the One Sitting at PCM)

If you’ve spent any time around motorcycles, you probably have an image of Harley-Davidson already locked in your mind: big engines, heavyweight frames, and the unmistakable rumble of American steel. That’s the brand’s signature, after all.

Which is why people do a double-take when they walk into the shop and see a small, featherweight two-stroke parked on the floor — a machine that looks more at home on a farm road or behind a general store in 1949 than beside a row of modern helmets.

That little machine is the Harley-Davidson Hummer, and the one we currently have here at Perth County Moto is a particularly charming example from 1948, the very first year these bikes were produced.

And trust us: this thing has stories.

Why Harley Built a Two-Stroke (Yes, Really)

To appreciate the Hummer, you have to picture post-World War II America. Returning soldiers needed transportation. Young riders wanted something inexpensive. Cities were growing, suburbs were spreading, and motorcycles weren’t luxury items — they were practical, everyday tools.

Enter the DKW RT125.

As part of war reparations, the U.S. received the design for this simple little two-stroke from Germany. Harley-Davidson took the blueprint, made a handful of sensible American tweaks, and released its own version in 1948.

It was a far cry from the big twins Harley was known for, but that was the point. The Hummer was designed to be affordable, approachable, and lightweight — a kind of gateway motorcycle before the term existed.

And even though it never had a ton of horsepower, it had one thing in abundance: personality.

Small Engine, Big Character

Part of the Hummer's charm is how unlike a “Harley” it is. It has a left-hand kickstarter. A girder front end suspended with actual rubber bands. An oil filler built into the gas cap. It weighs almost nothing and feels like you could tuck it under your arm and walk away with it.

But that simplicity is exactly what made it so appealing. Riders didn’t need to be mechanics to own one. Students rode them. Farmers rode them. Young adults bought them because they were cheap, light, and fun.

Production of Harley's lightweight two-strokes lasted until 1966, after which Harley left the two-stroke commuter world behind. And as the years went on, the Hummer became one of those “if you know, you know” vintage bikes — not something you see every day, but unmistakable once you do.

The 1948 Hummer at PCM: A Tiny Time Capsule With a Big Backstory

The Hummer we have on display didn’t come out of a barn or a dusty old garage — it comes from a long line of careful owners who treated it with a lot more respect than you might expect for a lightweight two-stroke.

Its story stretches back to the late 1960s, when it changed hands from the original owner to the father of the man who would eventually pass it along. In the early 1990s, he refreshed the bike with a full restoration, and from that point forward, it lived a pretty charmed life.

The current owner has had it for 14 years, though “ownership” might be the wrong word — it was more like stewardship. He didn’t ride it much; just enough to move fuel through the system and keep the insurance honest. This wasn’t a machine tucked away and forgotten, nor was it a fixer-upper waiting for attention. It became something else entirely: a travelling showpiece. The current owner has spent the time and money to keep this little Hummer in tip-top shape. It runs like a dream and is a hoot to ride!

The bike made appearances in showroom displays, popped up in menswear shops as a bit of Americana, and even spent time under festival lights at places like Riverfest and Bluesfest. Wherever it went, it brought a little bit of nostalgia with it — the kind of bike that instantly changes the atmosphere in a room.

Most of its life has been lived not on the road, but on display. And honestly, that’s part of what makes it so special.

And yet, its most surprising story comes from the mid-90s.

Jay Leno rode this exact motorcycle on stage during a performance at Niagara Falls.
He borrowed it from the Eagle’s Nest Motorcycle Shop, which briefly displayed it after the restoration. And if you look closely at the rear fender, you’ll spot a small scratch. That? That’s from Jay bottoming out the seat.

Not every vintage Harley comes with a late–night–TV–host–approved blemish.

There are other little touches enthusiasts love too — like the original ammeter, which collectors hunt for and sometimes pay $1,000 for by itself. And on a personal note, this was the first motorcycle the owner’s nephew ever rode, setting him on the path to his own bike license.

It’s a machine with history baked right into the metal.

Worth Seeing in Person — And Yes, It’s For Sale

This isn’t a sales pitch, but it is worth mentioning: the 1948 Hummer sitting in our shop is currently for sale.

If you’re the kind of rider or collector who appreciates motorcycles that tell stories — not just through performance, but through the decades they’ve lived — this one is worth a look. It’s small, charming, unusual, and incredibly well-preserved. And with its celebrity cameo and long line of careful owners, it’s the kind of bike that doesn’t pop up often.

You can see the listing in our Bikes For Sale section at the bottom of our homepage, or better yet, stop by the shop and take a look in person. Pictures are fine, but this is one of those motorcycles that needs to be seen up close to really appreciate the details.

The Hummer may be one of the smallest bikes Harley-Davidson ever made — but stories like this make it feel bigger than ever.