|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHOVELHEAD
ENGINE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joe
Smith -
MORE
|
| |
|
Shovel
Heads Rule - THE MOST POPULAR OF ALL H-D POWERPLANTS |
|
|
1965 With the addition of an electric starter, the Duo Glide became
the Electra Glide in 1965, which was also the last year of the "Panhead" engine. The "Shovelhead" engine
took over the V-Twin mantle in 1966. 1966 production: 36,310
motorcycles.
|
|
|
1971
Joe Smith, riding a drag bike powered by a single Harley-Davidson
motor, was the first to break the nine-second barrier in motorcycle
drag racing. 1971 also marked the introduction of the Super
Glide, considered the first true factory custom. For a rundown
on Joe's bike and what made it so fast, click on the link next
to the picture. |
|
|
The
financial strength and resources of AMF aided Harley-Davidson’s
growth as it entered the 1970s. To meet the demands of an expanding
market, the company moved its motorcycle assembly to York, Pennsylvania,
in 1974, maintaining its engine manufacturing facility in Milwaukee.
At the time of the merger with AMF, Harley-Davidson was producing
14,000 motorcycles per year. Beginning in 1969 and on into the
1970s, huge numbers of low-priced motorcycles were imported
from Japan, dramatically reducing Harley-Davidson’s market share.
The ferocious competition coupled with motorcycle quality problems, which
surfaced as a result of the company’s rapidly expanding production,
created major problems for Harley-Davidson. |
|
|
1974
- 1975 To help meet the demand of a booming motorcycle
marketplace, chassis manufacturing and final assembly operations
moved to a plant in York, Pa. Engine and transmission operations
remained in Milwaukee, along with the corporate headquarters.
1975 production: 75,403 motorcycles. |
|
|
1980
The 80
cu in FLT Tour Glide, with five-speed transmission, oil bath
enclosed rear chain and a vibration isolated engine, inherited
the title of "King of the Highway" and was the predecessor
to today's Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles. |
|
|
|
1980
FLT
|
|
|
| ©1999-2003 The Little Shack That Could
|
|
