Harley Davidson

Several motorcycle manufacturers have come out of the US but none as famous as Harley Davidson. William S. Harley and his school friend Arthur Davidson began experimenting with internal combustion engines at the turn of the century. Harley worked as a draftsman for an engineering company. Davidson was employed as a pattern maker. Together in a shed in Davidson's back yard, they constructed a simple 25 cubic inch (400cc) single cylinder engine and fitted it to a bicycle frame. The prototype was completed in 1903. When tested the machine proved to be reiliable, but underpowered. Harley redesigned the engine and increased it's capacity to 35 cu. Inches (475cc). The Harley Davidson Motor Company began production with the "Silent Gray Fellow" in 1904. The bike was given the name "Silent" because of efficient mufflers. Until 1909 Harley Davidson made their own carburetors, legend has it that the earliest carburetor prototype was made using an empty tin of tomatoes. In the next 14 years design modifications increased engine capacity again, included inlet-over-exhaust valve gear, and strengthened the frame.

August 14, 2011, 7:04 am