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Difference between revisions of "Harley-Davidson history"
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==1910s: Rapid Expansion== | ==1910s: Rapid Expansion== | ||
Meanwhile, the motorcycle had hardly been changed since 1903. It was now nicknamed the Silent Gray Fellow (it was quiet, and came in only one | Meanwhile, the motorcycle had hardly been changed since 1903. It was now nicknamed the Silent Gray Fellow (it was quiet, and came in only one color) but was much improved by the addition of sprung leading-link forks, which Bill Harley designed while at college. Incidentally, the same basic design of forks was used by the company until 1947, and was even reintroduced (in modernized form) in the late 1980s. Soon after, the 25ci (4 Wee) engine was enlarged to 35ci (575cc), housed in a larger, longer wheelbase frame. Walter proved the latest version by winning the Long Island Endurance Run in 1908, and consolidating it with an economy run win the week after. | ||
But though the 5-35, as it was officially known, could top 50mph (80km/h), it still wasn't enough for the emerging motorcycle riders and the huge distances they travelled in America. Like all its rivals, Harley-Davidson needed a bigger bike. | But though the 5-35, as it was officially known, could top 50mph (80km/h), it still wasn't enough for the emerging motorcycle riders and the huge distances they travelled in America. Like all its rivals, Harley-Davidson needed a bigger bike. | ||
Strange as it may now seem, Bill Harley did not invent the V-twin: when he paired two existing singles onto a beefed- up crankcase, he was merely doing the same as everyone around him. The V-twin was a relatively quick and easy way to build a more powerful engine using existing parts. Though, Harley's first prototype seemed hardly that. Still hampered by an [[Atmospheric Inlet Valve|atmospheric inlet valve]] (opened by piston suction. rather than positively via a camshaft and pushrod), it was no faster than the single - the 49-ci (803-cc) twin was quickly withdrawn from sale, and Bill went back to the drawing board. | Strange as it may now seem, Bill Harley did not invent the V-twin: when he paired two existing singles onto a beefed- up crankcase, he was merely doing the same as everyone around him. The V-twin was a relatively quick and easy way to build a more powerful engine using existing parts. Though, Harley's first prototype seemed hardly that. Still hampered by an [[Atmospheric Inlet Valve|atmospheric inlet valve]] (opened by piston suction. rather than positively via a camshaft and pushrod), it was no faster than the single - the 49-ci (803-cc) twin was quickly withdrawn from sale, and Bill went back to the drawing board. | ||