American Iron Magazine Presents 1001 Harley-Davidson Facts. Tyler Greenblatt

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СКАЧАТЬ their products in much the same way as those who bought them. Walter penned a personal letter for the ad in which he invited the reader to step into the nearest dealership to explore the new machines. Interesting, the letter states, “Bill Harley and I and my brothers have ridden motorcycles, built them, and lived with them for 21 years.” Because the ad was released for the 1924 models, Walter’s letter suggests that the first motorcycle was built in 1903.

      149 By the early 1920s, Harley-Davidson had developed its first complete line of branded clothing and riding accessories. The line included sweaters, jerseys, gloves, goggles, and waterproof gear. It wasn’t until 1928, however, that a leather jacket made its first appearance in the H-D clothing line. 1929 was the first year for decorative accessories and jewelry intended for off- and on-motorcycle use, a concept that has continued to present.

      150 Headwear appeared in Harley-Davidson’s parts and accessories catalog as early as 1915 with the introduction of riding goggles that kept dust and wind out of a rider’s eyes at high speeds. Following that, the catalog featured knit caps, hats, and a Tourist Hood that provided protection for long, fast rides. It wasn’t until 1921 that the first “protective” headwear became available through the catalog: the $8 Leather Touring Helmet and the $3 Tourist Helmet. They are advertised as a way to keep wind and dirt out of the rider’s hair without losing the shape.

THE CHASSIS

      151 Harley-Davidson beefed up its frames for 1916 so they were better suited for sidecar use and also to handle the additional power output of the V-twin. A new front fender featured more curve to match the 28-inch wheel and more protection for the rider and machine. The fender used front and rear flat mounting struts that are body colored and bolted to the underside of the fender. The old fender used a basic round metal bracket in the rear only; the fender had a tendency to shake around. A wider front end and larger steering head bearings were added to handle the added width and weight. The wheelbase was lengthened to 59.5 inches.

      152 The 1916 models received a more-rounded, larger gas tank to go with the updated frame. It now carried oil and gas on the left side, but still only gas on the right side. Fuel capacity increased to 2.75 gallons but oil capacity was cut from 4 quarts to 5 pints. The color changed from Renault Gray to Harley-Davidson Gray for the 1915 and 1916 models; 1916 was the last year of the traditional gray paint scheme.

      153 By 1916, Harley-Davidson’s model naming system had become confusing. The model numbers trailed the year by four, and after 13 years in business, those new to the brand couldn’t figure out why. Because of this, The Motor Company changed the system to match the model number with the year, meaning that 1916 model numbers started with “16.” The year was stamped into engine numbers until the mid-1970s, but the practice of using the year in the model name soon ended.

      154 Even though The Motor Company offers numerous paint options today, that wasn’t the case during the company’s first 30 years. Customers were limited to the company’s choice of color. Beginning in 1917, because so many of its machines were serving military duty, the official color became Military Drab, which is basically Olive Green. Rumor has it that this color remained even after the war because The Motor Company had a massive oversupply that it didn’t want to waste.

      155 One of the most popular options in the early years was a luggage rack that mounted above the rear axle and to the front of the rear fender. It allowed for the easy mounting of throwover saddlebags or any type of equipment. The retail price of the rack in 1921 was $6. Today, an original luggage rack is worth about $900.

      156 Even though the Olive Green paint was changed to the darker Brewster Green in 1922 and 1923, Harley-Davidson didn’t offer multiple color options until the 1926 model year. The standard color went back to Olive Green, but buyers could opt for white or cream paint.

      157 The timeless form of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle first appeared in 1925. The seat height was reduced 3 inches to provide the rider with the “in the bike feel” that separates cruisers from other machines today. The huge reduction in seat height provided a massive feeling of control and additional comfort to the rider while also lowering center of gravity for ease of handling. Even though the seat was now 3 inches lower, engineers actually managed to increase the length of the spring inside the seat post from 9 to 14 inches for a cushier ride. A new frame brace underneath the engine, between the downtube and seat post, held the engine lower and more solidly.

      158 Because of the lower seat height, which would have impeded the 1924’s gas tank, H-D introduced a streamlined, teardrop tank, the basic style of which is used today. To go with the lower seat height and the increasing sportiness of its machines, The Motor Company stopped using the straight pullback handlebars in favor of bars that stayed tighter to the front end and curved down slightly; they resemble modern handlebars. A pair of smaller 27-inch wheels with wide 3.85-inch tires also helped to modernize the appearance and performance of the 1925s. Tipping the scales at just over 400 pounds, the redesigned J models needed the extra load-bearing ability.

      159 Did you know that Harley-Davidson produced an opposed Flathead twin for public use in 1919? Many fans know of the XA produced for use in World War II, but The Motor Company actually experimented with an opposed twin more than 20 years earlier. The 19W Sport Twin weighs only 257 pounds, has a low center of gravity, and vibrates much less than its V-twin counterparts. It was advertised as a dependable commuter, targeted at women and younger riders. The 19W’s goal was to compete for sales with Indian’s Model O and it succeeded with twice the engine capacity and only 25 percent more weight. Its effectiveness was proven when professional racer Hap Scherer set two endurance records on it: Canada to Mexico and New York to Chicago.

      160 Harley-Davidson’s first use of a dashboard and ignition key was in 1926, although it used two keys, not just one. The left-side key provided the simple on/off ignition connection while the right key controlled the electric headlight and taillight with positions for on, off, and dim.

       The dash on this 1928 H-D is the same one used since 1926 and is branded with a Bar & Shield logo with the proud proclamation of “MADE IN U.S.A.” The company idiot-proofed its new dash by labeling positions on the top and bottom of the switches. This view also shows the oil tank cap and pump, as well as the two gas caps.

      161 Although H-Ds had been in production for more than two decades, it wasn’t until 1928 that a front brake was included as part of the motorcycle. By this time, the bikes were heavy and powerful enough that a front brake was necessary to provide sufficient stopping power. It’s also possible that the addition of a front brake was timed with the launch of the high-performance two-cam engines, also in 1928.

       Riders can be thankful that The Motor Company has updated the brakes through the years. In 1928, this first drum brake operated with a leather-sheathed cable. This motorcycle has obviously been ridden, based on the wear of the newer Avon tires and the dirt on the inside of the fender.

      162 The 1929–1930 Harley-Davidsons sported a lean, sporty-looking pair of 4-1/2-inch headlights, which lowered the bike’s overall height while providing additional lighting capability. However, riders of these models discovered the drawback to this design the hard way. At night, the headlights looked like automobile headlights that were a quarter-mile away. It went back to its single headlight setup for 1931.

      163 With the handful of electrics now on their motorcycles, Harley riders needed a way to monitor the electrical current. For 1929 models, an ammeter was included as part of a redesigned, rounded dash with the gauge tucked between the two switches. СКАЧАТЬ