Harley-Davidson 1915 KT Board Racer

Harley-Davidson did not participate in team racing until 1914, when it decided to exploit the potential benefits of publicity and development that could be derived from racing success. Board-track racing was reaching new levels of popularity, with promotors able to attract huge paying crowds to the meetings, so Harley’s decision to enter into competition made a lot of sense. Board racers were spindly, frail-looking machines that were stripped of surplus equipment. There was no gearbox and usually no brakes, though this bike is fitted with a rear drum.  And the move paid off almost immediately, as the Harley race team began to achieve significant results in 1915 on bikes such as this KT.

Harley-Davidson 1915 KT Board Racer

Their appearance belied their astonishing strength and performance. these bikes could be run flat-out for considerable distances, with 100-mile (161-km) races not uncommon on the banked wooden tracks. In September 1915, an F-head Harley set a 100-mile (161-km) record of 89.11mph (143.46km/h) on a board track in Chicago. It all augured well for the launch of the famous eight-valve racer a year later.

Harley-Davidson 1915 KT Board Racer

SPECIFICATIONS
Harley-Davidson 1915 KT Board Racer
• ENGINE Inlet-over-exhaust, V-twin
• CAPACITY 61cu. in. (1000cc)
• POWER OUTPUT 15bhp
• TRANSMISSION Three-speed, chain drive
• FRAME Tubular loop
• SUSPENSION Leading-link front forks, rigid rear
• WEIGHT 325lb (147kg)
• TOP SPEED 80mph (130km/h)

Harley-Davidson 1912 Silent Gray Fellow

By the time Harley-Davidson built this X-8 single in 1912, the company was well on the way to establishing itself as a major motorcycle manufacturer, and the motorcycle was a more refined mode of transportation. This bike was a direct development of the original 1903 model and continued in production until 1918. Though it still had belt final-drive, an atmospheric inlet valve, and no gearbox, these developments were just around the corner.

Harley-Davidson 1912 Silent Gray Fellow

The rugged engineering and rigorous development championed by Harley from day one had borne fruit in the form of sprung forks and magneto ignition, and the company wasted no time emphasizing that cubic inches were the key to increased power. The optional rear hub clutch on this model meant that the bike could be stopped without stalling the engine, and the optional Schebler carburetor hugely improved reliability over early models. The original 1903 Harley had a 24.74cu. in. (405cc) engine, rising to 26.8cu. in. (440cc) in 1906, and 30cu. in. (494cc) in 1909. In 1913 it gained a further 5cu. in. (82cc). The Harley single became a valued and dependable machine which earned it the nickname “Silent Gray Fellow.”

Harley-Davidson 1912 Silent Gray Fellow

SPECIFICATIONS
Harley-Davidson 1912 Silent Gray Fellow
• ENGINE Inlet-over-exhaust, single-cylinder
• CAPACITY 30cu. in. (494cc)
• POWER OUTPUT 6.5bhp @ 2,700rpm
• TRANSMISSION Single-speed, belt drive
• FRAME Tubular loop
• SUSPENSION Leading-link forks, rigid rear
• WEIGHT 1951b (89kg)
• TOP SPEED 45mph (72km/h)