Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: Bruce Bryner <BBry...@iusb.edu>
Date: 1999/03/13
Subject: HD tidbits from '30
HD tidbits from '30
[ "V"ery good. It's the Flathead era. ]
Enter the "V" series. While it
is 74ci, it's totally different.
When the 74ci F-head was first introduced in '21, it featured
the F-head valve configuration which is where the inlet valve
was in the non removable cylinder head, and the exhaust valve
was in the side of the cylinder head. The Flathead 74ci features
both valves positioned along side the cylinder bore. The
3 functions of the removable flat head are that it serves
as a contoured top to the combustion chamber, holds the spark
plug, and is cast with cooling fins.
Of course, it started out rough. But other
than a week clutch, frail flywheel, poor lubrication, bad
valve springs, inefficient mufflers, marginal pistons,
and scoffs from the customer base, it was fine. (Actually,
the first ones where shipped in mid '29. But because of
these problems, they stopped shipments to correct the problems).
Model VL specs: 73.73ci, (1208.19cc), 3.44" x
4" bore/stroke, 4.5:1
compression, 30 hp @ 4,000 rpm, 32mm Schebler carb, duplex
primary
chain, drum brakes, coil/points ignition, 60" wheelbase,
529 lbs, 4
gallon petro tank, 4 qt oil, 6 volt/22 amp battery, 85 mph.
Other V series specs: Ricardo heads, magnesium-alloy
pistons, 3 piece
valve covers, (midyear), heads designed with oil deflectors
to prevent
fouling spark plugs, each valve w/individual cam and cam
gears,
down-draft intake, total-loss lubrication, breather starting
w/engine #
7290, stiff 9 spring clutch @ 220.89 sq-in friction, fork
lock, indented
tank on right side for rear spark plug, 3 bush generator
w/2 independant
fields, (one activates w/headlight switch).
Not all was gold in '30. The depression was
being felt at HD, and those
employees that were not laid off, agreed in November to a
10% pay cut.
Main Models, (Production #'s), 3 speeds,
Flatheads:
Singles:
30-B Solo, 21ci, flathead, (577), $235
30-C Solo, 30.5ci, flathead, (1,483), $260
V-Twins 45ci, $310:
30-D Solo, high compression, (2,000)
30-DL Sport Solo, high compression, (3,191)
30-DLD Special Sport Solo, high compression, (206)
30-DS Sidecar Twin, low compression, (213)
V-Twins 74ci, $340:
30-V Solo, medium compression, (1,960)
30-VL Sport Solo, high compression, (3,246)
30-VS Sidecar Twin, Dow-metal pistons, (3,612)
30-VC Commercial, nickel iron pistons, (1,174)
Harley Davidson Sidecars & Chassis:
30-LC - chassis for LT
30-MC - chassis for M
30-LT - Tourist Sidecar
30-LS - Sidecar for 45ci
30-M - commercial van
30-MO - open body commercial
30-Q - chassis
30-QT - 2 passenger, Tourist
(other various commercial models: MW, MWC, MXP, MWP, MT,
MSP - differences being in width, screens or panels), MNP-Newspaper,
MDC-Dryers/cleaners, GM-Goulding, GMC.
Options: Various Balloon Cord tires, 80 or
100 MPH or special Police
speedo, jiffy stand, luggage carrier, Tandem seat, passenger
pegs,
winter windshield, hand clutch, front stand, left foot clutch,
speedo
light, air cleaner.
Paint:
Twins- Olive Green w/vermilion broad strip, edged in maroon
w/gold
center pinstripe. Also available at extra cost: fawn gray,
azure blue,
maroon, coach green, cream, or police blue, (or 2 color combinations).
Singles- Olive Green w/vermilion broad strip
w/gold center pinstripe.
Changes:
Series B - optional lever actuated steering dampner, (different
handlebars, drop center wheel rims, coil spring contact points,
2 field
generator - these not included on exports).
Series C & D - ( model C gets Chassis
from Model D), new frame that
lowers seat height, drop-forged I-beam front forks, tool
box mounted on
forks, bullet shaped tanks, theft proof lock on steering
head, automatic
primary chain oiling, larger clutch, dual key tank top, 2
tube muffler
duplex primary chain.
MoCo minutes:
- Foreign sales total 7,630
- Buffalo, NY PD orders 17 VL's.
- over 3,000 US law enforcement agencies now us HD.
- Aggressive sales campaign lauched overseas.
Racing:
William H Davidson wins 20th Anniversary Jack Pine on a DLD.
Olle Virgil wins Dirt Track series of Sweden and Denmark
with record
111.78 mph on a 45.
***tidbits taken from various sources.
Bruce
The Journey IS the Reward.
