Harley time travel

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Harley time travel
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Harley time travel

Harley time travel
Hurray, we’re still trembling

100 years ago three after-work tinkerers screwed their first three-horsepower bike together, two world wars and 3.5 million Harleys later, the legend is still shaking. Not just in time with the crooked firing order.

Jorn Thomas

07/01/2003

Hardly any other traditional brand is so active, lets its machines rumble, vibrate and shake in such a way. You can feel and hear it when a Harley-Davidson twin hits you
pounding a crank pin and his
typical, irregularly modulated Erup-
widespread.
The very first Harleys had to make do with just one cylinder shortly after the turn of the century, while the youngest, the V-Rod, is beaming into the third millennium with a futuristic look. Reason enough for MOTORRAD, with the
V-Rod plus three predecessors? provided by the vintage car-inspired Harley dealer Matthias Korte ?? one of the histo-
Irish singles, the Silent Gray Fellow
to visit. And by the way, bridging the gap between classic and modern in reverse order.
The V-Rod, the alpha animal from Milwaukee, is allowed to begin. Introduced in 2001 and immediately best-selling Harley in Germany. Though they like a crack-
ax drives into the community. It starts with the engine, whose name says it all: Revolution. Liquid cooling, 60 degree cylinder angle, electronic injection, overhead camshafts, actuation of the four valves per
Cylinder by bucket tappet, wet sump lubrication. “Yes, what?” You will ask ?? and have come out as a Harley rookie, because the features mentioned are simply revolutionary for the Americans. Only the number and arrangement of cylinders remained unchanged. The engine developed by Porsche juggles unmoved at speeds at which the innards of air-cooled 45-degree siblings would keep the venerable company founders company in heaven. Whether it’s because the engine concept is mid-nine-
ziger was allowed to fight for US Superbike merits in the factory racer VR 1000? Regardless, the drag-strip-like thrust lets even those who have been scalded stay away from the spit. Still, V-Rod fans please close your eyes ?? the high-tech part has said goodbye to the immediate experience of the eruptions.
The others are and will remain responsible for the shirt-sleeved Wummer number. On the one hand, of course, the Twin Cam 88, the driving force behind all current large Harleys. Editor Werner Enzmann is gaining his own pages from this contemporary who is responsible for the program (see pages 144 ff.), So that we can
fall directly on the Evolution engine. In our time travel companion, the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail, the 1340 sends a manageable 48 hp via timing belt to the rear wheel. And proudly cites historical models with two-tone paintwork, whitewall tires and lavish chrome jewelry, which also come to life when you sit down on the seat decorated with cowhide inlays. Even if it’s just the provincial A 661 instead of Route 66, the everyday drive past dismal soundproof walls becomes an imposing thunderous sound experience. And first the tunnels, just wonderful. With a thousand and one pair of revolutions, the multi-center heavy part sails towards the horizon.
Notorious high-speed drivers succumb to the charm of floundering in no time. The same applies to the vibrations of the Big Twin, which is rigidly bolted to the Softail frame. Seven years, a quarter of a million test kilometers and well over 5000 test stands-
The birth of 1984 took hours
appeared Evo. Development partner is Porsche. Although the Weissach company was only allowed to change the exterior a little, from now on light metal cylinders, hollow bumpers, Mahle pistons and combustion chambers with optimized combustion technology are standard. The Softail concept, which mimics a rigid frame look with suspension struts hidden between the frame beams and the gearbox, is also extremely clever. Comfort and reliability allow the customer base to grow, the Harley-Owners Group (H.O.G.) is created, Harley is the market leader in the USA beyond 850 cm3, the price of the Harley share issued in 1986 increased tenfold within just five years.
The top managers around the then boss Vaughn Beals were happy, as the boys bought back “their” company in 1981 by means of a classic buyout. Previously, from 1969 to 1981, Harley-Davidson was part of the conglomerate American Machine and Foundry Organization (AMF). The reason for this partnership was the need for capital to modernize old production facilities and the plant in York /
Pennsylvania to be able to build. During the AMF time, Willie G. Davidson, grandson of the company founder, initiated the Low Rider, Fat Bob, Wide Glide or Sturgis, and the development of the Evolution Twin began. Nevertheless, sales fell short of expectations in the booming market, the company was up for sale, and there was a buyout.
15 years earlier, in 1966, Harley not only went public for the first time, but also lifted the rag off the Early Shovel. Initially based on the crankcase of the previous Panhead twin, the completely new Shovelhead engine came onto the market in 1970. The era of customizing began in the late sixties. Inspired, among other things, by the film “Easy Rider”, many riders redesign their bikes and, from now on, look through yellow glasses on deep saddles and over miserably elongated forks.
Regularly powered by »Panhead«, the predecessor of the Shovel, which was produced for 18 years.
In 1965, in its last year of production, the Panhead in Harley’s flagship Duo Glide was given an electric starter and thus became an E-Glide ?? Milwaukee’s number one travel steamer to this day. No one glides cooler, and the decades ricochet off more without a trace than on the image of the E-Glide. Press the button, off we go ?? Finally
can even people with Kickstarter-
Phobia to move a Harley. And feel how the rotating and oscillating masses inside the twelve hundredth can never finally agree on a common rhythm. Doesn’t matter, the vibrations are bearable? as long as you don’t let the needle of the giant speedometer on the tank console move too far over the big “10”. Driving at 100 km / h is seldom so eventful. The sweeping handlebars let you embrace the world and adhere to speed limits as if by yourself, while you swing up and down to the rhythm of the springy seat post. The first E-Glide as an intersection between classic and modern. The fathers of the Panhead proudly called their work the “Standard of the world”. Probably because of innovations such as the weight-saving aluminum cylinder head and the
hydraulic valve clearance compensation. And lo and behold, even a 1965 E-Glide can wag itself with a swing, as owner Matthias Korte proves with sparkling after the driver change.
So even further back in history. At a time when manual gearshifts were common. Only had from 1952
Customers can choose whether they want to switch with their feet and couple with their hands or vice versa. Incidentally, Harley invented the so-called mousetrap, a spring, to make manual coupling easier-
loaded mechanism with deflection, which minimized the holding force of the disengaged clutch. That had the hand-
Shifter is not necessary, as a 1946 WL proves. Fortunately, it has already warmed up, which the pilots think of the ge-
relieves feeling juggling with the ignition adjustment on the left handlebar grip. Briefly recap: the left hand lever on the handlebar is not responsible for the clutch, but the front brake, the foot clutch is not spring-loaded and remains in any position, which makes maneuvering and waiting easier.
But now: step on the clutch, move the knob on the left side of the tank through the polished aluminum backdrop? and carefully engage the foot clutch. Hurray, it’s driving. Stoic like a brewery horse
the roughly 24 hp 750 flat rate chugs-
head off. Despite its truly museum-like appearance and technology? Keyword pages-
valves and cylinders and heads made from one cast ?? he behaves in a driver-friendly manner and doesn’t bother changing into second and third gear. Simply double-declutch, press the rocker-like pedal, pull the shift knob one further and that’s it. Cool. So cool and so easy that the Flathead powered various Harleys in different versions from 1929 to 1952 ?? In the three-wheeled Servi Car it was even used until 1973. Flat-
head are also moving into the Second World War? Harley makes his
Production completely on military machines. 80000 WLA thundering through Europe ?? many stay there after the end of the war.
1948 is the last year of production of the twelve year old Knucklehead, for many the Harley engine par excellence. For the first time, both valves, suspended in the cylinder head, direct the gas change, controlled by bumpers and rocker arms. A principle that had already proven itself in Harley’s single-cylinder racing engines. In addition, the dry sump lubrication used to this day replaced the previously used loss lubrication, in which the oil is released into the environment instead of being continuously kept in a cycle.
The Silent Gray Fellow, the destination of our journey through time, also has loss lubrication. Its predecessor was built in 1903 in a shack on 38th Street at the corner of Highland Avenue, Milwaukee. In the same year that Henry Ford introduced his “T” model and the Wright brothers took to the skies, the Davidson brothers Walter and Arthur worked with William Harley to build a bicycle-like bike in their spare time. 400 cc De Dion single, belt drive, no clutch, no gearbox, no
Suspension. But reliable and long-
lively. Later there is a springer fork for springs and a tensioning strap mechanism for engaging and disengaging. From 1906, finally, the paintwork in »Renault gray«, which contributes to the name Silent Gray Fellow.
That he’s a real one and that too
extremely tough buddy shows ours
Fellow ?? Model 6B ?? from 1910. He still takes an active part in life. Approximately
at the classic Pioneer Run from London to Brighton, which the 500 cm3 single recently weathered bravely and
the traces of which are still stuck under the mudguards. True to the motto of its owner: Motorcycles are there to be driven. Before that, the start takes place using bicycle pedals, which also operate the coaster brake. Front brakes came into fashion later, but the cables are neatly routed in the handlebars and the spring-loaded leather saddle and Springer fork ensure comfort up to 80 km / h, which the fellow, who weighs around 120 kilograms, uses his four horsepower. Every-
if the inlet sniffer valve, which opens by negative pressure, and the carburetor are well adjusted and meticulously adjusted.
Adjustment was also the horse’s foot of the first Harley V2, which in 1909 got 6.5 HP out of 811 cm3. The two inlet sniffer valves only managed gas changes with a thumbs-up, including gruesome start-up behavior. Only with the so-called OK principle, i.e. the changeover control with mechanically operated inlet and outlet, did things move forward? Thanks to the chain drive and the clutch, the power no longer fizzled out in the slipping flat belt. This is how the 45-degree V2,
actually a doubled single with
common crank pin, a tradition that the community still picks up today
tremble? and let it grow further.

History 2003 – 1981

100th anniversary with anniversary models and Open Road Tour The revolution engine in the V-Rod breaks with traditions: 60 degree cylinder angle, water cooling, camshaft drive via timing chains, valve actuation via bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication. And a huge 117 hp from 1131 cm3 as well as a speed limit of 9000 rpm Twin Cam 88 B with balancer shaft appears for installation without damping silent blocks The current Big Twin, Twin Cam 88, with 1450 cm3 is presented and initially powers the Dyna and Touring models Harley takes over the Buell Motor-cycle Company of the former Harley engineer Erik Buell The VR 1000 with water-cooled 60-degree V2 and 996 cm3 fights in the US Superbike championship, 53 pieces come on the road as small-series models Introduction of the Evolution Twin ( ohv-V2 with 1340 cm3) The Harley Owners Group (HOG) is founded. In the meantime it has developed into the largest motorcycle customer association in the world with over 1200 chapters and 660000 members Management buyout (80 million US $)

History 1980 – 1965

Presentation of the Sturgis with toothed belt as primary and secondary drive The Shovelhead engine gets 1340 cm3 (80 Cubic Inches) After 41 years, production of the Servi Car with Flathead engine is discontinued With the Super Glide, a mixture of Sportster and E-Glide, Willie creates G. Davidson the first model of the chopper custom era, completely new Shovelhead engine is presented. Cal Rayborn reaches Tempo 426 with a Sportster-powered Streamliner ?? World record integration of Harley into the AMF Group. The film “Easy Rider” pushes the chopper mania, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson write road movie history with their pan choppers. Shovelhead introduction as an early shovel, based on Panhead crankcases. The name comes from the shape of the valve cover, which is reminiscent of an upturned shovel.The Electra Glide with electric starter and 12 volts replaces the Duo Glide.George Roeder sets a speed record with the 250 cm3 Sprint CR Streamliner: he achieved it Tempo 285

History 1964 – 1937

The Servi Car is the first Harley to receive an electric starter The Roller Topper appears. Harley entry at Aermacchi The first Sportster makes its debut, it generates 55 hp from 883 cc. With the Jack Pine Enduro, a Duo Glide under Millard Reynolds proves its off-road capability With the Indian brand, the former fiercest competitor disappears from the market Customers can choose between manual and foot control Panhead introduction (ohv-V2, aluminum heads, hydraulic valve clearance compensation). Panhead because the valve covers look like an upturned panProduction of 100,000 military machines (WLA) instead of civil models during the war yearsJoe Petrali achieved with a converted «61 ?? Tempo 219

History 1936 – 1922

The Knucklehead is presented here in the factory together with the company founders. The name Knucklehead (“knuckle head”) comes from the shape of the rocker arm housing, which is reminiscent of a fist. 750 cm3). On “Black Friday” the world economic crisis begins. The picture shows the work in the twenties. Harley’s first commercially available »Twin-Cam« -V2 is presented in the JD and drives it up to a speed of 160Official Harley import to GermanyModel »74« with 1200 cm3 V2 appears. Increasing prosperity makes the motorcycle unattractive as a commercial vehicle

History 1920 – 1903

Harley becomes world market leader with 2000 dealers in 67 countriesWJ with longitudinal boxer engine Half of motorcycle production is for military use. Here Corporal Roy Holtz rolls through Germany ?? After the armistice The customer magazine “The Enthusiast” appears. The reversible two-cylinder is presented. Alternating control means that the intake valve is suspended, the exhaust valve is positioned vertically, both controlled by camshafts (“ok.”) Georg Suck from Hamburg brings the first Harleys to Germany. The Silent Gray Fellow proves his reliability Harley-Davidson builds his first series V2. He works with poppet valves as the inlet 21-year-old William S. Harley and 20-year-old Arthur Davidson build their first motorcycle

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