The 1920 Harley-Davidson 20-J sported the olive paint Harley switched to with its 1917 models. Styling changes were few during those years, the most notable occurring in 1920 when the headlight and horn switched places. V-twins still displaced the same 61 cubic inches (1,000-cc) as before, though a 74-cubic-inch (1,200-cc) model joined the line for 1921.
Introduced in 1919 was the Sport, a 35.6 cubic-inch twin with horizontally opposed “fore and aft” cylinders. It was intended to compete with Indian’s highly successful V-twin Scout, but it ..read more
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In 1919 the 37 cubic inch opposed twin cylinder Sport model is introduced and gains great popularity overseas. Unique not only for the cylinder configuration, which was directly opposed and flat, the Sport quickly earns a reputation for being uncommonly quiet.
While early Harley-Davidson V-twins were plagued with many problems, this V-twin represents a very successful basic design produced from 1912 to 1929. Initially rated at 6.5 hp, its output rose to 8.68 in 1929. Racing models pulled 55 HP from a 61 cu. in. engine in ..read more
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In 1918 almost half of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced are sold for use by the U.S. military in World War I. At War’s end, it is estimated that the Army used some 20,000 motorcycles in their efforts, most of which were Harley-Davidsons. One day after the signing of the Armistice, Corporal Roy Holtz of Chippewa Falls, Wis., is the first American to enter Germany. He is riding a Harley-Davidson.
The staggered shifter gate for the three-speed transmission placed first gear toward the front, with neutral, second, and ..read more
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During 1917 year, roughly one-third of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced are sold to the U.S. military. The Quartermasters School, a department of Harley-Davidson devoted to training military mechanics on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, opens for business in July. It will later become the Service School.
The sale of Harley-Davidson bicycles begins. Individual components are made by the Davis Sewing Machine Co. of Dayton, Ohio. The bicycles are sold through the H-D dealer network.
ENGINE: F-Head 45° V-twin
Bore x Stroke: 3.31 x 3.5in (84 x 89mm)
Displacement: ..read more
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For 1915, a proper three-speed transmission was offered, along with a magneto and electric lighting system incorporating a taillight that could be removed for use as a nighttime service light.
The model featured in this article, however, is equipped with a Prest-O-Lite headlight, which is powered by acetylene gas.
Harley-Davidson’s 61-cubic-inch F-head V-twin, while not a true overhead-valve design (only the intake was ohv), was more advanced than the flathead engines that powered some competitors.
Furthermore, the 1915 models gained an automatic oiler and larger intake valves, ..read more
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