Harley trivia question

[SlashWylde]

Ok folks, here's a trivia question for all you Harley experts out there. In reference to the attached picture, tell us the following:

1. What is the model of the bike, years of manufacture and type of engine used?

2. Why is this model particularly notable in Harley Davidson's design and production history?

Also, bonus rep points to the first person who can tell me which film this frame grab came from.

[sunhuntin]

ironhead??

[Edbear]

Have absolutley no idea, but that's a cool bike!

[SlashWylde]

ironhead??

Nope.

10ch

[eliot-ness]

1957 Sportster 883 ?

[SlashWylde]

1957 Sportster 883 ?

No, but a good guess.

[terbang]

A split single..

[SlashWylde]

A split single..
Haven't heard of that one before, but not the answer I'm looking for.

[Shadows]

1957 Sportster 883 ?

One year out I think. Looks like a 1956 KHK, the precursor to the XL.

[paturoa]

agree it is close to the 57 xl883 sportster

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2827411620052257459JrSUXe

but has the extra seat and bags

[paturoa]

One year out I think. Looks like a 1956 KHK, the precursor to the XL.

agree 56 cos of the long seat

[SlashWylde]

One year out I think. Looks like a 1956 KHK, the precursor to the XL.

You're getting closer...... :)

[Shadows]

1953 K came out with the "buddy seat" as standard.

[SlashWylde]

1953 K came out with the "buddy seat" as standard.

Sounds good to me. Bling awarded. From what I can tell, its a 1952-1955 Harley Davidson Model K.

Now for part two of the question, and then the bonus... :devil2:

[doc]

Is it the 50th anniversary of that model this year ?

[Shadows]

Sounds good to me. Bling awarded. From what I can tell, its a 1952-1955 Harley Davidson Model K.

Now for part two of the question, and then the bonus... :devil2:

Engine and gearbox of single unit construction (in that they share the same cases), "proper" motorcycle suspension with telescopic forks and swingarm / shocks at the back.

[SlashWylde]

Is it the 50th anniversary of that model this year ?

Well that'd be true of the '57 model, but not quite what I'm thinking of.

[SlashWylde]

Engine and gearbox of single unit construction (in that they share the same cases), "proper" motorcycle suspension with telescopic forks and swingarm / shocks at the back.

Right again, you'll have to wait for your rep though. The site won't let me give you any more for a few days yet.

[SlashWylde]

Right. That was the easy part. I'll be impressed if anyone can name the film the picture comes from.

[pete376403]

They made a 750 race bike (KR750) based on the side valve engine, and AMA riules said OHV motors had to be 500 (keeping it fair so to speak). The 500 Triumph Daytona was a direct offshoot of this This rule was abandoned around in the early 70's and HD developed the OHV XR -a short stroke 883 with twin Mikuni carbs by virtue of using two front cylinder heads. Fast but fragile due to over heating (later XRs using alloy cylinders and heads) and dominated AMA flat track racing for some time. It was fairly successful in road racing in the hands of Cal Rayborn (who was killed at Pukekohe riding a T500 Suzuki)

[Big Dave]

I was going to say I looked at the pic and smelled apple pie.
But then look at the potholes. obviously akl

[scumdog]

They made a 750 race bike (KR750) based on the side valve engine, and AMA riules said OHV motors had to be 500 (keeping it fair so to speak). The 500 Triumph Daytona was a direct offshoot of this This rule was abandoned around in the early 70's and HD developed the OHV XR -a short stroke 883 with twin Mikuni carbs by virtue of using two front cylinder heads. Fast but fragile due to over heating (later XRs using alloy cylinders and heads) and dominated AMA flat track racing for some time. It was fairly successful in road racing in the hands of Cal Rayborn (who was killed at Pukekohe riding a T500 Suzuki)

A guy down here has a XR with Yamaha (I think) front forks and mag wheels etc, goes really well and catches a few later model bikes out with the pick-up it has.

But what radical cylinder heads the XRs had - must have cost a fortune in developement and probably didn't make much money for AMF either.

BTW Elvis had a blue version of the bike in the pic.

[Motu]

The Yanks sure knew how to get HP out of a flathead,they used some pretty radical porting to do it.The XR1000 pisses me off,what a waste of an engine - they finally made an engine with good heads,and put it in a cruiser...it was just dying to be used in a more sporting Sportster.The first XR750 was just a small bore 883 cast iron Sporster,a hash up that cost Mert Lawill the title that year.But it gave them the time needed to finish the real XR750 that is still winning races today.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'd give my left nut to own an XR750! Except...I think you need both to ride one properly!

[Hitcher]

Right. That was the easy part. I'll be impressed if anyone can name the film the picture comes from.

Brokearse fountain.

[scumdog]

The XR1000 pisses me off,what a waste of an engine - they finally made an engine with good heads,and put it in a cruiser.

A bit harsh Motu - according to the workshop manual I have on front of me the XR1000 WAS a Sportster, the nearest thing to a 'sports' frame HD had at the time.:yes:

It wasn't like they fitted the XR1000 engine to an Electraglide or something.

[pete376403]

The REAL XR motor never used by the factory in a road bike. The XR1000 is a Sporty engined look alike
There was a very good article in Cycle magazine years ago about the development of the XR. Technically swapping the cylinder heads wasn't allowed under AMA rules and it was mentioned that the only reason the AMA allowed it was because they thought HD didn't have a hope against the other 750s - Honda, Triumph, BSA, not to mention the Suzuki and Kawasaki two strokes. Chronic overheating was the problem with the iron jug motors so barrels and heads were developed with a very specialised alloy that apparently required Defence Dept or NASA approval to use.

[peasea]

Is that a '57 Hyrdra Glide Junior? If so, the horn looks like it might be on the wrong side, but I'm a picky bastard. Otherwise....lovin' it. Where is it? I'd love to feature it. Like XR 1,000's? See BRM, March 07.

[Pieyed]

It looks like the cafe racer that came out in the early seventies. I had a book on this but it got lost. I'd say it was special because it was a move from harley being the cruiser style to the more sporty look. Probabaly a mutation of the sportster racer and a KLH. Just a guess...

[Motu]

XLCR - say it out loud.

[rok-the-boat]

Looks like an early sportster with a flathead top end.