Harley model letter codes
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Harley model letter codes
Just ran across this site while surfing.
Looks like he's pretty much got it covered on the different model designations:
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/harley_models.html
Looks like he's pretty much got it covered on the different model designations:
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/harley_models.html
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There was a flathead V(**) model of 80 CID in 1936, IIRC. The other ones were U(**) models but that one was V(**). With Harley there is almost always some exception to the obvious rule. From http://www.hdatlanta.com/en/harley-davidson_101.cfm "The Great Depression began a few months after the introduction of their 45 cubic inch model. Harley-Davidson's sales plummeted from 21,000 in 1929 to less than 4,000 in 1933. In order to survive, the company manufactured industrial powerplants based on their motorcycle engines. They also designed and built a three-wheeled delivery vehicle called the Servi-Car, which remained in production until 1973. Harley-Davidson WL In the mid-'30s, Alfred Rich Child opened a production line in Japan with the 74ci VL, which became Rikuo after the parent company severed its business relations with Harley-Davidson. An 80 cubic inch flathead engine was added to the line in 1935, by which time the single cylinder motorcycles had been discontinued. By 1937, all the flathead engines were equipped with the dry-sump oil recirculation system that had been initially introduced on the 61E and 61EL "Knucklehead" OHV models. This prompted the 74 cubic inch V and VL models to be renamed U and UL, the 80 cubic inch VH and VLH to be renamed UL and ULH, and the 45 cubic inch RL to be renamed WL. In 1941, the 74 cubic inch "Knucklehead" was introduced as the F and the FL, replacing the 80 cubic inch flathead UH and ULH models."
Last edited by BigGdawg; Apr 15, 2010 at 12:08 PM.
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80 cubic inches, in 1936??? Were they measuring the outside of the motor?
Oops, sure enough. I thought they only had the 45, 61, and 74 motors.
Oops, sure enough. I thought they only had the 45, 61, and 74 motors.
1936Harley-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.
Last edited by DannyZ71; Apr 15, 2010 at 12:14 PM.
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While it did miss a few models this was still interesting thanks.
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