Harley-Davidson 1915 KR Fast Roadster

The idea of a race bike on the road has always been attractive to motorcyclists. Modern bikers relish the power, handling, and brakes of competition-developed machinery and pioneer motorcyclists were no different. Harley’s Fast Roadster was based on the boardtrack racer but fitted with mudguards, a chainguard, and conventional handlebars. Who needed a gearbox or lights? One of the civilizing features which the Fast Roadster acquired from its conventional road-going stablemates was a set of pulled-back handlebars. These offered a combination of comfort and control on the road. Racing handlebars would have been suitable only for short trips to the osteopath.

Harley-Davidson 1915 KR Fast Roadster

It was built for amateur racers at a time when Harley-Davidson’s factory race team was starting to taste success; the K-series won a number of 100- and 300-mile (161- and 483-km) races for Harley in 1915. The “close coupled” frame on the KR was shorter than that fitted to other models such as the F because no gearbox was fitted. A short wheelbase traditionally offers better handling at the expense of comfort and stability. With just over 100 built, this model is now very rare.

Harley-Davidson 1915 KR Fast Roadster

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

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)