1933 Harley-Davidson VLD Leaves No Nut or Bolt Unchecked
Daily Slideshow: An extensive restoration makes this vintage Harley a bigger star than it already was.
Finest of the Breed?
Back in the mid-'30s, the VLD was Harley's hottest machine. Packing a 74 cubic-inch flathead big twin motor, it was capable of reaching speeds of up to 90 mph. Which, as you can imagine, was flat out flying during that era.
Clean VLDs are tough to come by these days, despite their popularity. But this nut and bolt restored 1933 example that recently crossed the block at Mecum might just be the nicest one you'll ever see.
Easy Tuning
Despite the copious amounts of power straight from the factory present in early Harley bikes like the Model V, buyers wanted more. That particular engine made those efforts even easier. The original design featured four cams and removable Ricardo cylinder heads, which were easy to adjust in a jiffy.
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Ahead of Its Time
Once the VLD arrived on the scene, however, most didn't bother trying to make it more powerful than it already was. Advanced for the time low-expansion aluminum-alloy pistons, a Y-shaped intake manifold, and 5:1 compression all helped the VLD produce a healthy 36 hp at 4,500 rpm.
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Lower, Shorter, Beefier
The VLD rode on a pretty advanced chassis, too. It featured a lower saddle height and 2-inch shorter wheelbase than the J-Series. But it actually weighed 120 pounds more, thanks to a much beefier construction.
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Built to Last
To support that extra weight and power, other components received upgrades as well. The clutch featured four times more friction area than previous ones. And primary life was greatly extended thanks to a duplex primary chain.
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Dramatic Changes
Some of the biggest changes took place up front, however. The forks featured a dramatically different design with forged I-beams in place of steel tubing.
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Racing Heritage
Newly designed "Jiffy Wheels" were both interchangeable and quick-release, which made for easier maintenance. Not to mention, they were ideal for racing, which is where many VLDs wound up.
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Visually Stunning
The VL lineup changed quite a bit over the years. But by 1933, you could argue it had reached its peak. The Art Deco styling that was all the rage at the time makes this 1933 VLD quite the visual stunner.
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Top of the Line
This "D" in VLD netted you those aforementioned low-expansion aluminum-alloy pistons, Y-shaped intake manifold and 5:1 compression. All of which this gorgeous bike still carries with pride.
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Gorgeous Reminder
The beautifully restored Harley is a faithful replication of the original. Mandarin Red-and-black paint covers its swoopy lines, which are some of the most beautiful ever imagined by any motorcycle company. And we're glad that this VLD is still around to remind us of that golden, bygone era!
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For maintenance and repair guides for your Harley, browse our technical How-to articles right here on HDForums.
