Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: Bruce Bryner <BBry...@iusb.edu>
Date: 1999/02/28
Subject: HD tidbits from 1906
HD tidbits from 1906
[The enduring 'Silent Gray Fellow']
Model 2: 26.8 ci, (439.9cc) F-head, (50 made),
$210.
The first options: Renault Gray w/carmine
red double pinstripping and
lettering, at extra cost, hand crank, 26" wheels.
HD moves to a new production facility on
Chestnut Street, (later to be
known as Juneau). Apparently, the railroad company bitched
that the new facility encroached on their right-of-way by
a foot.
So the boys, with the help of 8-10 fellows, picked up the
new facility, and moved it a foot and a half. A loan was
acquired from their uncle James McLay for purchase of the
land. "Honey Uncle" was a beekeeper.
Catalogs are produced to advertise the new
Silent Gray Fellow.
The new model:
3.125 X 3.5" bore/stroke,
4 bhp, Schebler carb,
leather belt final, rear coaster brake,
6 volt dry cell battery, coil/points ignition,
51" wheelbase, 28" tires,
1.5 gallon fuel tank, 2 quarts oil tank,
185 lbs, 40-45 mph.
And, a muffler, (ie.. 'Silent' Gray Fellow).
The first front end suspension was being
designed.
There were several "backyard shed" motorcycle
operations.
HD was gaining in popularity and sales though, because of
their refined
look and feel, and their reliability and longevity. [How's
that for
idiosyncratic?!]
***tidbits taken from various sources.
Bruce
The Journey IS the Reward.
