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The History of Harley-Davidson | Chapter2

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Trace the history of Harley-Davidson Chapter2 1930~1959

1930

Bill Davidson, Jr. wins the Jack Pine endurance contest with 997 points of 1,000.
All individual class winners are riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

1934

The Japanese motorcycle industry is founded as a result of Harley-Davidson licensing blueprints, tools, dies and machinery to the Sankyo Company of Japan.
The result is the Rikuo motorcycle.

1936

Harley-Davidson introduces the EL, an overhead valve, 61 cubic inch powered bike.
With increased horsepower and bold styling changes, the motorcycle quickly earns the nickname of "Knucklehead," due to the shape of its rocker boxes.
The same year, the Motor Company introduces a 80 cubic inch side valve engine.

1938

The Jack Pine Gypsies Motorcycle Club holds the first Black Hills Rally in Sturgis, SD.
On the 3.2 mile beach course at Daytona, FL, Ben Campanale wins the first of two consecutive victories at the Daytona 200 on a Harley-Davidson WLDR.

1942

Among other motorcycles made for the Army, H-D produces the unique XA 750, a motorcycle with horizontally opposed cylinders and shaft drive, designed for desert use.
The contract is cancelled early due to war combat moving out of North Africa.
Only 1,011 XA's are built.

1947

Attendees at the year's Dealers Convention in Milwaukee are given a train ride to a "secret destination," which turns out to be the newly purchased plant on Capitol Drive.
The plant was formerly the A.O. Smith Propeller Plant, created during the war.
Harley-Davidson uses the plant as a large machine shop, shipping the new parts to Juneau Ave. for final assembly.
Harley-Davidson begins selling what will become the classic black leather motorcycle jacket.
Harley-Davidson dirt track racer Jimmy Chann wins the first of three consecutive AMA Grand National Championships.

1948

New features are added to the 61 and 74 overhead valve engines, including aluminum heads and hydraulic valve lifters.
Also new are the one piece, chrome plated rocker covers shaped like cake pans.
The nickname "Panhead" only seemed logical.
Production of American-made lightweight motorcycles begins with the model S. Various versions will be sold until 1966.

1949

Hydraulic front forks first appear on the new Hydra-Glide models.

1952

The side-valve K model is introduced with an integrated engine&transmission to compete with smaller, sportier motorcycles coming mainly from Great Britain.
The K will eventually evolve into the Sportster.

1957

The motorcycling public met a new motorcycle called the Sportster.
It premiers as a 55 cubic inch overhead valve engine, and within one year of its debut, becomes known as the first of the "Superbikes."
Another Harley-Davidson tradition and legend is born.

1958

The first rear brakes and hydraulic rear suspensions appear on the Duo-Glide.
Racer Carroll Resweber wins the first of four AMA Grand National Championships.




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