What is a Harley?
Photo courtesy Harley-Davidson Motor Company Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Tank Emblem with Chrome Bar & Shield You can get all kinds of motorcycles today, mostly from Japanese manufacturers like Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki. But, most folks would argue that none of them have the aura, tradition, name recognition or mystique of the motorcycles from Harley-Davidson. You’re probably wondering what it is that is so unique about a Harley, so let’s start with the engine. Here are some of the distinguishing characteristics of the engine: • Until 2001, Harley-Davidson had been devotedly married to the two-cylinder V-twin design with a 45-degree angle between the cylinders. • The engines are air-cooled. • The engines have overhead valves that are activated by camshafts in the crankcase. • Oil comes from a dry sump lubrication system. • Harley engines have a long stroke. This means that the engines are low-revving and have lots of torque. Redline is typically in the 5,000 RPM range. • Harley
