The Harley-Davidson Model 7D of 1911 was the first successful
v-twin
A V-twin engine, also called a V2 engine, is a two-cylinder piston engine where the cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration.
Although widely associated with motorcycles (installed either transversely or longi ...
from
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (H-D, or simply Harley) is an American motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1903, it is one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depressi ...
, inaugurating a
motorcycle engine
A motorcycle engine is an engine that powers a motorcycle. Motorcycle engines are typically two-stroke or four-stroke internal combustion engines, but other engine types, such as Wankels and electric motors, have been used.
Although some moped ...
configuration that has continued unbroken from the
Milwaukee
Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee ...
motor company ever since.
In 1909, Harley had made a few examples (27 units
[) of another v-twin, but the design was flawed and they did not try again until two years later. In 1911, 5,625 Model 7Ds were manufactured.][Statnekov (1998) p. 117] The Model 7D's motor was the F-head
The intake/inlet over exhaust, or "IOE" engine, known in the US as F-head, is a four-stroke internal combustion engine whose valvetrain comprises OHV inlet valves within the cylinder head and exhaust side-valves within the engine block.V.A.W H ...
IOE engine, in use until 1929.[de Cet (2001) p. 110] It sold for US$300,[ which with inflation would be $ in today's currency.
Ignition was via a magneto, and the engine was started using bicycle-style pedals. Instead of a conventional clutch, a pulley belt tensioner could be moved, allowing the leather drive belt to slip.][ Touting its effective muffler, Harley-Davidson advertised the 7D, and the other Harleys of this era, as "The Silent Gray Fellow." The latter moniker was also in reference to William S. Harley, who was known for his quiet personality.][
]
See also
*List of Harley-Davidson motorcycles
A list of motorcycles produced under the Harley-Davidson brand.
Pre-war
Hummer/American Lightweight
Aermacchis sold as Harley-Davidsons
Aermacchi
Aermacchi was an Italian aircraft manufacturer. Formerly known as Aeronautica Macchi, the ...
*List of motorcycles of the 1910s
List of motorcycles of the 1910s is a listing of motorcycles of the 1910s, including those on sale, introduced, or otherwise relevant in this period.
The 1910s has their share of expensive historic motorcycles sold at auction, especially the bra ...
* Thor Model U
* Sears Dreadnought
*FN Four
The FN Four was the world's first production inline-4 motorcycle, manufactured in Liége by Fabrique Nationale from 1905 until 1923.Edwards 1997, p. 43 It was also, at , the world's fastest production motorcycle from 1911 until 1912.Brown 2006, p ...
Notes
References
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{{Harley-Davidson model families
7D
Motorcycles introduced in the 1910s