AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE PICTURES
1929 Harley Davidson D & DL were the first "45". It was HDs longest lived engine to date. The bike was unique in it was the only year for a "45" with the four tube pipe muffler (left and right side). It had no tool box accross front fork. It was the first of two years for the twin bullet headlights. It was the first with the vertically mounted generator. Last year for 45" was 1973, last year of servicar. For more information on the 45
1929 D Harley Davidson -left view
29 D Harley Davidson - right view
29 D Harley Davidson - Top view
1929 D Harley Davidson - Front view
1942 XA was built between 1942 and 1943. It was a "copy" of the German BMW shaft drive military motorcycle. The 42 XA offered many unique features, some that predated commercial applications by years. It was the only Harley Davidson with a horizontally opposed twin "45'" motor. The motor was mounted perpendicular to the frame to facilitate cooling. It was the only Harley Davidson built as a shaft drive. The shaft driven bike was specifically designed to be used in dessert conditions where the use of a chain would be impractical. It predated the use of the foot shift, hand clutch by ten years. It also predated the automatic spark control by 23 years. All models had a rear shock absorber that was similar to the "Indian" style rear shock. Another feature (rear shock), which again was not available commercially until 1952 on the "K" model and 1958 on the big twins. Some models also had a front shock, mounted on the right side of the fork. Only 1,011 were built. None saw action over seas, their role having been replaced by the "Jeep". The 42XA remains a relatively rare, and unique Harley Davidson.
Unrestored 42XA Photos
1942XA-Right view (Frank Matuska's Bike)
Additional 42 XA Website - Antoine Compin
The 1936 EL is in many ways, the prototype of all Harley Davidson's to follow. It ushered in the "modern" era of the motorcycle. While in retrospect, we see the ‘36 EL as the mother of today's motorcycles, its commercial introduction was met with minimal fanfare and as equally little publicity. One reason was, the ‘36 EL, was a prototype bike, and as such, underwent a variety of changes in its first year alone. Given the motor company's reputation of evolutionary and not revolutionary changes, HD wanted to insure the motorcycles integrity and relaibility before any publicity was attached to the model. Some of the notable firsts the ‘36 EL brought to Harley Davidson included:
*61 ci OHV Engine
*Dry sump recirculating oil system. Self contained, no longer a total loss lubricating system.
*Saddle type twin gas tanks. These tanks were both exclusively devoted to carrying fuel. Oil was no longer carried in the tanks.
*Tank mounted dash with speedometer, oil pressure gauge, ammeter and ignition switch, enclosed in one unit.
*Separate oil tank "U" shaped, enclosing battery.
*Double down tube frame.
There were many other items that were peculiar to the ‘36. Some aspects of the bike, such as the gear case cover, and oil tank and its fittings, chain guard, just to name a few, underwent several changes, that year alone! It was truly a prototype, and a bike that rightly deserves the reverence of Harley enthusiasts.
1936 EL unfinished re-restoration of Old Restoration (incorrect). Examples of incorrect restoration are: rear crash guard, larger rear wheel brake hub, too much chrome platting (see front springs) etc.
The 1965FL stands as a unique bike in Harley Davidson's history with several notable first's and last's. It ushered in the age of the big twin electric start, allowing HD to compete again with imports that took the effort out of starting a motorcycle. It was the first BT with a twelve-volt electrical system, allowing it to power the starter and provide better head lamp intensity. Along with the electric kicker came other changes to the bike (see below). It was also the last year of the pan head motor, replaced in ‘66 with the shovel head.
Some of the notable changes introduced by this bike included
*Five gallon gas tanks. Only year that five-gallon tank had petcock on the tank.
*An electric starter
*New oil tank. On left side of bike.
*New battery location. On right side
*12 volts electrical system *Straight leg swing arm - no "step down."
*Automatic advance, single point timer
*Redesigned handlebars. No left-hand spark control spiral. Right handlebar with starter button.
*No Tool box. Battery box in tool box's previous position.
*Ball tip hand levers
*Bullet shock end caps missing.
Original paint '65FL. Seat is not '65:
65FL left side: Showing redesigned oil tank, 5 gallon gas tank with incorporated petcock.
The 1949 E and F, introduced the hydraulic forks as the standard front suspension for Harley Davidson. The fork sliders were painted black, a one year only color. While this was the first year of the Hydra-Glide, the name did not appear on the fork tins until 1951. The ‘49 introduced the rear fender sergeant stripes, and the seamless airflow rear and front fenders. The front fender of the ‘49 had no visible rivets, also an only year feature. The horn was now located on the frame, behind the forks. Other one year features unique to the ‘49 E or F where stainless steal timer, generator and relay covers. This was the second year of the panhead and the last year of the fishtail muffler (to be resurrected decades later). View the left side, angled left side , right side, angled right side and top of a 49 FL.
1912 Harley Davidson Belt Drive Single X8A
As was the case for the first twelve years of Harley Davidson production, 1912 was also, a year of significant model changes. The X8A was the most significant of the 1912 single models. It shared with the other bikes the following design changes *New frame, which caused the top frame rail to slope down to the rear. This now allowed the rider to be closer to the ground. *The pedal crank was mounted to an eccentric hub. This allowed the chain to be tightened without having to adjust the real wheel rim and therefore the pulley band. *Troxel saddle suspension now had a "Ful-Floteing"saddle and spring adjustable center post. Uh, what a smooth ride! *The front fender's rear section now sported a slight valance. *Redesigned tanks to conform to the new redesigned frame. *The X8A introduced Harley Davidson's first clutch. This was a free wheel clutch assembly in the rear axle hub. It was actuated by a handle on the left side of the motorcycle, just below the seat. This allowed the rider to engage and disengage the "power train" without the otherwise jerky motion that resulted by using the pulley as a make shift clutch. It would also allow the rider to start the bike on the stand, disengage the clutch and place the rear tire on the ground, again without having to use the pulley system. A major advance!
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1925 HARLEY DAVIDSON JDCB WITH SIDE CAR
The 1925 was the precursor for the modern Harleys in styling. The 1925 twin model finally broke away from the boxy look of previous Harley's, with the introduction of the "tear drop" streamlined gas tank that we have all grown up with! This bike is designated an electric model (J), with a 74 ci F-head (D). This is an original paint 25 with a 24 side car ( repainted). As was often the case with Harley Davidson, it would match a previous model years side car with a new bike. Nothing ever went to waste! This left handed side car was reputed to be a mail delivery bike. There were other more substantive changes with this bike than the stylish gas tanks:*The frame was wider allowing the saddle to be 3 inches closer to the ground. *The front down tube is double butted. *Oil drain plug was introduced allowing the case to be flushed without having to remove the transmission. *Waterproof metal cover over spark coil. *Longer rear fender. *Longer and wider rear chain guard. *Newly shaped handlebars. *"Speedster" muffler introduced. *Foot operated compression release. Previously on right handle bar spiral (throttle). *Adjustable headlight bracket supports. *The cylindrical fork mounted tool box made its debut. *A steel channel was now under the motor which connected the front and rear down tubes. *The gear shift lever was moved forward. *Iron alloy pistons replaced the aluminum pistons of a year earlier.
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1928 Harley Davidson Twin Cam "JDH"
The 1928 twin cam JDH debuted as the fastest production motorcycle of its era. It would easily travel 85 mph and with some tweaking, surpass 100 mpg. This was the public variant of the factory twin cam that was involved in racing and hill climbing since 1919 and only available to factory teams and perhaps a few lucky dealers. The twin cam's production was only two years ( although to be resurrected some 70 years later). The twin cam used a direct action valve gear, with cam lobes acting by way of tappets. The gear case had a distinctive peanut shape, which made it easily recognized as a twin cam. Aside from being the fastest bike on the block, Harley introduced several other innovations with the 28 twin cam. *First year for the front brake. Be careful you don't go head over heels! *Throttle controlled oil pump, the "all speed oiler" *New air cleaner. *Dow metal domed pistons (twin cams only) - increased the compression ratio. *Removable lifter blocks routing oil to crankcase. The 28 and 29 twin cam were the bikes to have. Unfortunately for Harley and for the rest of the world, the great depression was coming along and the world was changing. It was however a bikes whose legacy would lay dormant for some seventy years when Harley Davidson "reinvented" the 1999 Twin Cam 88.
