Harley Davidson 1926 Model B

After the failure (comparatively) of the Sport Twin of 1919–23, Harley had another crack at the lightweight market by releasing a range of single-cylinder bikes for the 1926 model year: the A, B, AA, and BA. The design was entirely conventional, and inspired by Indian’s contemporary Prince as well as typical British machines of the period. The bikes were available with side-valve or overhead-valve engines and the racing versions that followed were nicknamed “Peashooters” due to the unique pitch of the exhaust. The side-valve model was revived between 1932 and 1934, probably as much to use up stocks of parts as it was to sell what Harley claimed was its cheapest ever model. The name was eventually applied to all the models. The model shown here is a B, with side valve engine and battery ignition option. Harley-Davidson intended these singles primarily for export markets and initially they were successful. Unfortunately, the worldwide recession meant that the British imposed severe import tariffs and the European market collapsed. The model was discontinued in 1929, though existing stock continued to be sold the following year. These were ideal machines for impoverished commuters and delivery riders who accepted underwhelming performance as long as the bike was cheap to buy and run.

Harley Davidson 1926 Model B

SPECIFICATIONS
Harley Davidson 1926 Model B
• ENGINE Side-valve, single cylinder
• CAPACITY 21cu. in. (346cc)
• POWER OUTPUT 10bhp
• TRANSMISSION Three-speed,vchain drive
• FRAME Tubular loop
• SUSPENSION Leading-link front forks, rigid rear
• WEIGHT 263lb (119kg)
• TOP SPEED 60mph (97km/h)

Harley Davidson 1920 Eight-Valve Racer

Committed to bike racing in 1914, Harley Davidson soon began to take the sport seriously. Special eight-valve racing twins were introduced in 1916. The cylinders and heads on the eight-valve racers were the work of British engineer Harry Ricardo and featured a hemispherical combustion chamber that had been developed on airplane engines during WW1. The bike shown here is a 1920 version with distinct open-port cylinder heads that have no exhaust headers. The eight-valve racer had no gearbox or brakes. Riders slowed their machines using a combination of the throttle, the engine-kill button, and old-fashioned boot leather. Harley riders, however, were up to the task, winning a number of prestigious races this year. It is possibly one of only eight built, with very few of these still in existence. On the rare occasions when they are sold, they command substantial prices. These were built in very limited numbers until 1927 for the use of the factory’s own race team and chosen riders. Four versions of the machine were produced over an 11-year period, giving serious credibility to Harley as a racing-bike manufacturer. The race team secured numerous victories on the eightvalve racers and earned itself the nickname “the Wrecking Crew.” The sight and sound of these—quite literally—fire-breathing machines must have been incredible as they reached speeds of around 120mph (193km/h) on the steeply banked wooden tracks.

Harley Davidson 1920 Eight-Valve Racer

SPECIFICATIONS
Harley Davidson 1920 Eight-Valve Racer
• ENGINE Overhead-valve, V-twin
• CAPACITY 61cu. in. (1000cc)
• POWER OUTPUT 15bhp
• TRANSMISSION Single-speed, direct drive
• FRAME Tubular loop Keystone racing frame
• SUSPENSION Leading-link front forks,rigid rear
• WEIGHT 692lb (314kg)
• TOP SPEED 120mph (193km/h)