6 Most Unusual Production Vehicles Ever Powered by Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson's success comes from making an iconic motorcycle that is instantly recognizable, so how come they have their hand in all this other strange stuff too?
1. Jayhawk Supersonic Missile Engine
From the 60's to the 90's Harley-Davidson made more than 5000 LR-64 rocket engines for US military drone missiles. It may seem strange, but these small liquid fueled rocket engines were manufactured at the York plant, right next to the motorcycles. The engine was called the model LR-64 and installed in the AQM-37A "Jayhawk" supersonic target drone missile made by the Beechcraft Corporation. You can read more about it here.
2. St. Martin F-15 Miini Power Boat
This collaboration between St. Martin, a premier boat builder, and Harley-Davidson produced this Evolution 1340 motor power mini speed boat a few years ago. It appears they may no longer be available, but these personal watercraft sized boats (up to 15ft in length) offered the ability to enjoy the sound and feel of a Harley while cruising the lake or shore.
3. AMF Harley-Davidson Snow Mobile
People have been trying to think of ways to ride their bikes in the snow since motor and bicycle first were married. Do a search and you will find all manor of contraptions with skis and chains in grainy old photos. In the early 1970s though, while AMF was in charge, they tried to market a whole line of Harley snow machines, with matching suits, and boots too. From 1972-75 the former AMF Ski-Dabbler, now with an Aermacchi motor, was sold via Harley dealers up north. You can read about the whole project here.
4. Harley Powered Airplane
Over the years quite a few people have used Harley V-twin motor in small, light, homebuilt airplanes for some reason. The air cooled nature and low RPM redline probably has something to do with it, but the power to weight ration is not very good even when compared to the other small air cooled engines more commonly used.
5. Three Wheeled Cycle Cars
The most famous and successful of the cycle car makers is Morgan, and though they didn't use a Harley V-twin, plenty of folks have repowered them with power from the motor company over the years. Power can be to the front wheels, or to an automotive style transmission, then back to the single rear wheel, it depends on the whim of the builder. The current Morgan uses a motor from S & S, which was originally based on Harley designs and rear wheel drive.
6. Harley Ice Boat/Sled Kit
If you live in the frozen north, like Milwaukee, WI for much of the year, you end up with a bike that can't be ridden for months at a time. Before WWII someone had the brilliant idea to sell a kit which allowed you to swap your motorcycle motor into a propeller driven sled for use on frozen lakes. No clutch needed, the drive chain to the prop came right off the clutch, and when you gave it gas away you went. Watch out for pedestrians and skaters, please.
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