Harley knucklehead 1936

Willie G.

The motorcycle industry was hit hard by the Great Depression. By , overall motorcycle sales in the US had reached an historic low, still unmatched to present day. Some motorcycle manufacturers closed their doors. Others were able to stay afloat, but any profits made had to be invested wisely. Co-founder and Chief Engineer William Harley headed new product development. As part of the Board of Directors, he led conversations about innovative product ideas. Among these ideas was a twin cylinder motorcycle unlike any other Harley-Davidson had previously sold.

Harley knucklehead 1936

Harley-Davidson pulled ahead of Indian in with the introduction of its first overhead valve V-Twin. The frame, forks, engine and much of the styling were all new. Interestingly, Knucklehead experts speak of three different engine versions in the model year. Minor problems were attended to as running changes and production continued. The first engines built had problems with valve spring breakage, poor rocker arm lubrication and leakage of oil from the top end. Spring metallurgy was improved, rockers redesigned, and repair kits were sent out to dealers to fix the over affected new bikes already on the road. Styling at Indian and Harley-Davidson reached a new height in this era. With new oval section springer fork tubes, a more graceful muffler and the tank mounted speedometer, the new Harley was probably the most stylish American motorcycle to date. A few technical problems plagued first year machines, but America was coming back economically and timing was perfect with over first year sales. Highly prized by collectors, the 61 and 74 cubic inch OHV twins were made for 12 model years, through In the hydraulic fork Duo-Glide was released and Harley-Davidson Big Twin styling was set for over half a century to come. It is one of about a dozen Knuckleheads on display including those belonging to musician and music producer Dan Auerbach. In , the fork was a Hydra-Glide. The Duo-Glide came out in , along with the rear suspension.

The founders of Harley-Davidson inspect an early "61" coming from the assembly line.

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Yet up until the last minute, it was uncertain whether Harley would release the bike for sale. The experimental models were unmarked, and testers were instructed to stay away from towns and dealerships. The point of all this secrecy was to keep the rumor mill down. The motorcycle world was very small, and even without the Internet or cheap, long-distance telephones, rumors would spread from one end of the country to another faster than a Twentieth Century Limited locomotive. For , Harley-Davidson introduced an inlet-over-exhaust big twin to replace its aging sidevalve setup. Unfortunately, the new VL twins had multiple problems, resulting in a general recall and warranty replacement of expensive parts. Even with the repairs, the sidevalve engines were not as fast or reliable as desired, so Harley started looking for a replacement. Although most contemporary motorcycles including Harleys ran total-loss systems lubricating oil was pumped through the engine and either burned or pumped out , recirculating oiling systems were being used in cars and in the top-of-the-line 4-cylinder motorcycles. A recirculating oil system added a little weight, but it increased performance and engine longevity. Archrival Indian was developing a dry-sump oil in separate tank recirculating lubrication system for its sidevalve twins, but the bike Harley was working on had a dry-sump oil system and overhead valves.

Harley knucklehead 1936

Harley-Davidson pulled ahead of Indian in with the introduction of its first overhead valve V-Twin. The frame, forks, engine and much of the styling were all new. Interestingly, Knucklehead experts speak of three different engine versions in the model year. Minor problems were attended to as running changes and production continued. The first engines built had problems with valve spring breakage, poor rocker arm lubrication and leakage of oil from the top end. Spring metallurgy was improved, rockers redesigned, and repair kits were sent out to dealers to fix the over affected new bikes already on the road. Styling at Indian and Harley-Davidson reached a new height in this era. With new oval section springer fork tubes, a more graceful muffler and the tank mounted speedometer, the new Harley was probably the most stylish American motorcycle to date. A few technical problems plagued first year machines, but America was coming back economically and timing was perfect with over first year sales.

Taking it easy synonym

Newsletter test page. By , overall motorcycle sales in the US had reached an historic low, still unmatched to present day. On one of Joe's earlier runs down the beach, while going about m. Harley and William A. Although the early production machines experienced various oiling problems, its potential was immediately realized on street and track. A handsome example of a beautiful machine. Serial Number 36EL In the hydraulic fork Duo-Glide was released and Harley-Davidson Big Twin styling was set for over half a century to come. In , the fork was a Hydra-Glide. The founders of Harley-Davidson inspect an early "61" coming from the assembly line. Every part of the motorcycle would be improved upon over time, but the modern descendants of the EL owe their design to the motorcycle. The new OHV was also successful in both enduro races and hillclimbing. But mere months before its launch, they still debated whether the motorcycle should even be built.

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Successive years and new models brought even more adaptability, and accessories to improve comfort and touring were designed for specific vehicles. A few technical problems plagued first year machines, but America was coming back economically and timing was perfect with over first year sales. He had spearheaded the development of their machines along with Willian Ottaway who joined the motor company in Serial Number 36EL In this space, Style and Function are intertwined with a design template that would carry the motor company into the next century. They succeeded, with Joe achieving a blistering miles per hour. Home Made America Throughout the 20th Century, various home-made machines were invented within the It was first available in The new OHV was also successful in both enduro races and hillclimbing. Each machine has a great story that could make a best selling book! Your email address will not be published. Rider posing on "61" motorcycle Harley-Davidson Museum. A curious crowd edged around to see the famous blue 61 OHV. Others were able to stay afloat, but any profits made had to be invested wisely. Feel free to contribute!