Throwback Thursday: 68 MPH Harley

In 1912 a stock Harley Davidson managed 68 MPH in a race while making just 8 HP. I found this in an old press release from an old advertisement in “Motorcycling” magazine. In the text of that release was another Harley that won the single class and finished over an hour ahead of the next manufacturers motorcycle.

Two really struck me about the ad. The first is Harley saying their bikes aren’t racing machines and in the next breath talking about being faster than any equivalent motored motorcycle. The next is the tag line “Producers of High-Grade Motorcycles for 11 Years.” That would put initial production in 1901 not 1903. Advertising mistake, or do we celebrate the wrong date?

Tell us what you think below or in the forums…