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)

Harley Davidson 1905 Model No.1

Only 16 of the 1905 Harley-Davidson models were built. It was not much more to the first Harleys than these two main components, motor and bicycle. Although William Harley Davidson brothers used a bigger engine than most of their current producers, the pedal force is an essential complement to the internal combustion engine on hills meant that the bicycle layout should be maintained.

Harley Davidson 1905 Model No.1

Harley Model No.1 was screwed essentially an engine to a bicycle frame, with Pedal power still required when climbing a steep hill Harley bending of the down tube below the crankcase, so that the engine bearing is mounted in the frame. To superior handling 1905 Model No.1 was built almost identical with the bicycles in 1903 and '04 and 1909 Harley-Davidson only a model that has improved every year produced. The model number stands for the year of production minus four. The battery ignition, raw carburetor, belt drive, and other unrefined elements ensures that the start of the engine was not really a viable mode of transport, but at least the model number one was a cut above the average.

Harley Davidson 1905 Model No.1

SPECIFICATIONS
Harley-Davidson 1905 Model No.1
• ENGINE Inlet-over-exhaust single
• CAPACITY 24.74cu. in. (405.41cc)
• POWER OUTPUT Unknown
• TRANSMISSION Single-speed, belt drive
• FRAME Tubular loop
• SUSPENSION None
• WEIGHT 1851b (84kg)
• TOP SPEED 40mph (64km/h) (est.)