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Harley Davidson History 1920-1930
1920 By 1920, Harley-Davidson is the largest motorcycle
manufacturer in the world. New Harley-Davidson® motorcycles can be
purchased from over 2,000 dealers in 67 countries worldwide.
Leslie "Red" Parkhurst breaks 23 speed records on a Harley-Davidson 61
cubic inch racing motorcycle. Also, the "hog" association starts when the
racing team's mascot, a pig, is carried on a victory lap after each race
won by the team.
1922 The first 74 cubic inch V-twin engine is introduced on the JD
and FD models. Harley-Davidson dealerships are now found in sixty-seven
countries.
Harley-Davidson riders sweep all eight National Championship races.
1925 Gas tanks on all models now have a distinct teardrop shape.
This basic appearance is set for all subsequent Harley-Davidson
motorcycles.
Joe Petrali begins racing for Harley-Davidson. He would become one of the
most successful dirt-track racers for Harley-Davidson, and one of the most
successful racers of all time.
1926 Single-cylinder motorcycles are again sold by Harley-Davidson
for the first time since 1918. Models A, AA, B, and BA are available in
side-valve and overhead-valve engine configurations.
1928 The first Harley-Davidson two cam engine is made available to
the public on the JD series motorcycles. The bike is capable of top speeds
between 85 - 100 mph.
Front wheel brakes are now available on all Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
1929 The 45 cubic inch V-twin engine (later to be known as the
"flathead") is introduced on the D model. The engine proves to be so
reliable that variations of it are available on Harley-Davidson
motorcycles as late as 1973.
Return to the Harley
Davidson History Index
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