Harley Davidson 1933 VLE

The V-series were reliable side-valve V-twins that consistently out-sold every other range of Harley-Davidson during the early 1930s. Introduced in August 1929 for the 1930 model year, 1930 VL is an example of one of the all-new bikes brought in to replace the F-head V-twins. New features included the duplex primary chain, the steering head lock, and the I-beam forged fork legs. Twin headlights and the klaxon horn were carried over from the 1929 model. The bike’s color scheme is the traditional olive green with vermilion striping edged in maroon and centered in gold. Drop center wheel rims were another feature introduced with the VL.

Harley Davidson 1933 VLE

SPECIFICATIONS

• ENGINE Side-valve, V-twin

• CAPACITY 74cu. in. (1213cc)

• POWER OUTPUT 22bhp

• TRANSMISSION Three-speed (optional reverse), hand shift

• FRAME Tubular cradle

• SUSPENSION Leading-link front forks, rigid rear

• WEIGHT 390lb (177kg)

• TOP SPEED 65mph (105km/h)

Harley-Davidson introduced The V-series in 1930, 14 years after rivals Indian had made their first side-valve big twins, but the bike suffered a number of teething problems. The first two months’ production had to be recalled so that new frames, flywheels, engine cases, valves, springs, and kick-start mechanisms could be changed. The work was carried out for owners free of charge, but it was a costly exercise that did little for the reputation of the V-series. After the shaky start, the side-valves evolved into rugged, fast, dependable bikes, and a VLE even went on to establish the American production bike speed record in 1933 of 104mph (167km/h). The 1933 VLE was the high-compression model in the series, with magnesium-alloy pistons providing the extra power. While only 3,700 bikes were built by Harley in 1933, this still accounted for 60 percent of all motorcycles sold in the US that year.

Harley Davidson 1942 XA

Harley Davidson supplied thousands of traditional 45° V-twin WLA and WLC models to the Allied military during World War II, but the company also produced a small number of BMW-style machines for the war effort. Although the WLA was a good all-around military bike, the US army asked Harley-Davidson to produce a shaft-drive machine and Harley turned to the enemy for inspiration. BMW’s R75 was virtually cloned and a test batch of 1,000 XA’s were produced, as were a batch of prototype shaft-drive Indians, the idea being that the better of the two bikes would be awarded a contract. Neither satisfied the army, which ordered extra WLAs instead, thus ending the XA’s brief life. The XA used a transversely mounted side-valve flat-twin cylinder engine, had shaft drive to the rear wheel, a four-speed gearbox, and plunger rear suspension. The XA was a prototype shaft-driven machine built for the US army that was ultimately only produced in limited numbers because of the success of the Willys Jeep as a battlefield vehicle. While it was built to the special specification of the US military, the arrival of the immensely successful four-wheel drive Willys Jeep changed the agenda as far as military motorcycle use was concerned, and only 1,000 XA bikes were ever made.

Harley Davidson 1942 XA

SPECIFICATIONS
Harley Davidson 1942 XA
• ENGINE Horizontally opposed side-valve twin
• CAPACITY 45cu. in. (738cc)
• POWER OUTPUT 23bhp @ 4,600rpm
• TRANSMISSION Four-speed, shaft drive
• FRAME Tubular cradle
• SUSPENSION Leading-link front forks, plunger rear
• WEIGHT 538lb (244kg)
• TOP SPEED 65mph (105km/h) (est.)