V2 Evolution: The Engine that Saved Harley-Davidson

Motor Exception

Harley-Davidson does not always have the best success with new engine releases. Their very first V-Twin was withdrawn from production almost immediately, the coveted Knucklehead was kept under wraps due to oil leaks, and even the modern Twin Cam had teething problems. The exception to all this was the 1984 V2 Evolution, a trouble-free motor that was introduced at exactly the right time.  

New Regulations

The late 1970s and early 1980s were a tumultuous time for the Motor Company. For just over a decade, it had been under the ownership of the American Machine and Foundry (AMF), but in June of 1981, thirteen senior Harley-Davidson executives bought the company back. Among the top priorities was a new engine, one that could meet the new emissions and noise regulations.

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Instant Hit

After years of relying on the venerable Shovelhead, Harley-Davidson introduced the 80 cubic-inch V2 Evolution in 1984. Quickly nicknamed 'Evo,' or 'Blockhead' to a lesser extent, it was the product of seven years of development. Unveiled on five models, including the new Softail platform, the engine was cooler running, had more power across the board, and longer service intervals. It was an instant hit.

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No Evo

Despite the overwhelming acceptance of the Evolution motor, there were a few Shovelhead diehards that resisted the change. The underlying sentiment among some MoCo faithful was that the Motor Company was courting well-heeled customers with a more reliable engine. It was true, Harley-Davidson needed cash. The catch-phrase, 'See No Evo, Hear No Evo, Ride No Evo,' surfaced for a brief time in the late-1980s.

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Granddaddy Community

Formed in 1983, the Harley Owners Group has a symbiotic relationship with the Evolution engine. Better known as H.O.G., the organization created an easy path to Harley-Davidson ownership. Business analysts have called the group, “the granddaddy of all community-building efforts.” More reliable machines, coupled with welcoming community, caused the demand for Harley-Davidsons to skyrocket among the urban middle class.

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New Tradition

Close to bankruptcy, mass appeal was exactly what Harley-Davidson needed to stay afloat. The Evolution engine was first introduced in the all-new 1984 FXST Softail. The combination was a perfect blend of old school chopper looks, mixed with reliable modern technology. The motorcycle media of the day lauded Harley-Davidson for doing the impossible by making a new motorcycle look traditional.

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Applied Engineering

John Favill, Harley-Davidson's manager of engine design at the time, was the driving force behind the motor's development. His resume was impressive, formerly of the Norton Motorcycle Company, he was hired in the late 1970s to oversee the development of the new V2 Evolution engine. He modestly stated, “All we did was take real engineering practices and applied them to design.”

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Best Engine

By 1989, Harley-Davidson had posted its most successful year ever. Contributing to this peak was the iconic 1986 FLST Heritage Softail, and the retro-styled 1988 FXSTS Springer. Today, H.O.G., memberships number over a million, and many Evo riders have logged hundreds of thousands of miles. Most will agree that the Evolution engine was one of the best Harley-Davidson has ever produced.

Photo courtesy of corliss@bakerdrivetrain.com.

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For maintenance and repair guides for your Harley, browse our technical How-to articles right here on HDForums.