I
decided to take my ass up to the local library and see
what else I could find out for myself that I couldn't
find on the Internet. Blow me down I got a bit of a
shock to see that out of 26 Harley-Davidson books
listed as available at the library, only 4 hadn't been bloody stolen
and put in the hands of the local debt collection
agency. I threw may hands up in disgust and I'm sure
the entire 2nd floor heard me speak a few words from
another language only a Biker would know.
I
thought "Oh well I got four books to choose from so I
better go an find them on the shelf.
Actually I have to admit that I was more than smiling
when I finally located those four books. One was on
Classic Motorcycles in New Zealand by Kerry Swanson so
I was lucky no buggar had "forgotten" to return this
one. The other three were just as awesome giving a
perfect balance of content and information for any
researcher, avid fan, or the fact that the photographs
alone spell out a 100 years of pure history.
One
of the four books is pure history and definitely a
walk down memory lane with the most amazing range of
old photos to show the era of The Harley Davidson 1930
- 1941 by Herbert Wagner. Definitely a must.
The
fourth book blew my lights out for sure and it's one
of those books you pick up and can't put down. The
search for the origins of the Legend of the
Harley-Davidson is truly written in style by Brock
Yates. "Outlaw Machine" is a comprehensive look at
all views of the Enigma that became a household name.
Highly recommended reading.
Of
course I am not allowed to reproduce any portions of
these books because they are copyrighted. I can
provide to you a factual and interesting journey about
the American Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson and offer you
the Best of four Authors as a reference. I am not
saying that any other author that has written about
the Harley-Davidson Legend and motorcycle is less an
author than these four, it's only because people who
borrow books "forget" to return them.
For
Harley-Davidson, quality was far more important than
innovation. The Model 5 in 1905 sold eight and by
1906 they produced fifty motorcycles. In 1907 the
business produced 150 motorcycles and the Motor
Company was full time.
The
Model 5A was a single-cylinder but the Harley-Davidson
still looked like a bicycle. The only difference from
the 1904 model was Harley-Davidson used a coaster
brake bought from the Thor company. The Harley was
heavier and cost more to build than their rivals and
the principle was established. The models of 1909
followed the patterns designed in 1903-04.
'Carburetion ' was achieved with a basic instrument,
floats, and jets fed by gravity from the tank at the
top frame rail. Harley made the twist throttles in
the right grip and the Indians were put in the left
grip and with the oiling system was automatic intake.
The basic Model 5 came with battery- powered ignition,
plug, points and coil with juice from a three dry-cell
batteries.
Then
came the 'Magneto'- the Model 5 A was the future for
Harley-Davidson. They even introduced the first
headlight, fuelled by carbide gas-(miners lights) so
one could say that they even considered the safety
aspects (night riding) where other didn't in this
era. This model produces approximately 4bhp (horse
power) - (45 mph today) because the automatic inlet
valve only works to 300rpm. In those days that was
fast enough or the fuel leaked onto your leg. This
model 5A did work and clocked about 60,000 miles with
the first owners.
It
was Arthur Davidson that launched into commercial
business to mail couriers and promoted the horse that
you didn't have to feed. The 'Silent Grey Fellow' was
named due to the installation of a muffler. It was
this model that paved the way.
V-Twin 1909 Model 5D
There
was controversy about this V-twin and could have been
the prototype that appeared during a show in 1907(no
photos). The Models 5, 5A & 5D were variations of the
single cylinder with the V-Twin just longer and
heavier. The Models all came with magneto and 28 inch
wheels, V-twin engine was literally based on the
single, with the cases getting some extra muscle and
two places to bolt the cylinders rather than one
place. The bore was 3.0 inches instead of 3 5/16
inch. Stoke was 3 1/2 inch so the twin displaced
approximately 50ci and the single was 30 ci.
V-twin was designed for more power, speed and
estimates had a top speed of 65mph (on a good day).
Sadly it wasn't a success and there is only one fully
intake 1909 V-Twin left in the world. It had
problems as does any prototype that comes with bugs.
The slipping belt was a major concern and notorious
for being hard to start. It was withdrawn in 1910 and
in 1911 was back in production. It came with belt
tensioners, proper cam lobes, rockers and springs for
the intake valves.
The
model 7D joined the 'Silent Grey Fellow' in the line
up with 6.5 horse power. The same 45 degree air
cooled V-Twin engine, embodying the same overall
design themes still in use today .
By
1913 the Motor Company had produced 11,000
motorcycles, both singles and V-twins.
By
1915, the side-cart was an optional feature.
From
these early days William Harley, Arthur Davidson &
Walter Davidson would never look back other to
produce, expand and continue to produce the American
Motorcycle.
