Joe Petrali

Almost single-handedly took on Harley-Davidson's minimal competition strategy from the late 1920s. He was a terrific rider on both tracks and hill climbs (Hill Climb Champion 1932-38). A practical mechanic, and was central to the development of the 61E Knucklehead. Born in 1904 in San Francisco, the son of Italian immigrants, Petrali made his name racing in the 21ci (350cc) class, and was taken on by Harley-Davidson to 'racerize' its own 21 ci Peashooter. While helping develop the Knucklehead, he warned the company that the bike's oil leaks and valve spring breakage problems needed sorting out before production. He also set up speed records with the Knucklehead. With Hank Syvertson, he built a streamlined bike with twill carburetors, higher compression, different cams and magneto, plus a high top gear that allowed a theoretical top speed of 160mph (257km). On the first run, the bike went into a serious tank clapper as Petrali approached 100mph. He came in and ordered that all the aerodynamic bodywork be removed, then went out again and captured the mile speed record at 136.15mph 1219.1km). This was disappointing for Petrali as Walter Davidson had promised him a $1,000 bonus if he got to 150mph! Joe was evidently given many of the odd jobs at Harley-Davidson, and in 1938 supervised the dismantling of a Crocker V-twin, which Milwaukee suspected of encroaching on Harley-Davidson patents. He resigned from the company that year after Walter Davidson refused him a job in the experimental department and went on to work for Howard Hughes, later taking to the speaker circuit where he was able to air his reminiscences of Hughes and Harley-Davidson. Joe Petrali died in 1974 as a result of heatstroke suffered at Bonneville Speed Week.