HD History: Part Two

Motorsport Era Begins:

Harley-Davidsons first competition attempt came at Dodge City, Kansas on July 14^th 1914. Motorsport of that period consisted of 100, 200 and 300, or more, mile endurance races. Many manufacturers participated with Pope, Thor, Merkel, Indian, Excelsior and H-D represented at the first 300 Miler to be held, that was later flagged off due to a hot summer sun. 

H-Ds Walter Cunningham clocked a blistering 1h28min for the first 100 miles, but a stretched chain and a fouled spark plug ended H-Ds for victory at the 181^st mile. 

On November 26^th, the second annual 300 Mile Savannah Road Race was scheduled with H-D entering six machines, ridden by Irving Jahnke, Maldwyn Jones, Alvin Stratton, Martinh Schroeder, Ray Weishaar and A.W. Yerks. 

Schroeder took an early lead in the second lap, but Lee Taylor on an 8-valve Indian, took the lead at the 14^th lap and eventually ran away with an average speed of 61mph, with Irving a far third with three of his teammates close behind. Victory again eluded H-D, but the strong showing pointed to better things to come form Milwaukee. Especially with Bill Ottaway's strenuous team organisation that could only be rivalled by modern team managers.

In the fall of 1914, H-D announced the improved version of their speeder, now called the 'J' model, to be raced in 1915. The 'J' now featured a three-speed all-enclosed sliding gear-type transmission, with a multiple plate clutch mounted on the countershaft. With the heavy transmission now mounted behind the engine, the overall weight of the model was also in better balance. 

The new model was well received in the open market, with 8000 machines being sold in 1914. The popular step starter was retained in the J, as it was effective in conjunction with the new transmission. While the updated 5-35 was still offered, with both single gearing, with chain or belt drive, or the 1913 two-speed hub for commercial use, most of the demand and production were favoured in the big twin market. 

The fall of 1914 also saw the first formal motorcycle organisation in the form of the American Motorcycle Manufacturers Association, later to become the American Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association. 

With the improvements in engine design by William Ottaway, together with the experience of speed tuning during racing, the standard twin now produced 35% more power with enlarged breathing porting, improved valve action and an enhanced lubrication system. The H-D Company earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence. 

In August, the board track built by Jack Prince saw the meeting of Excelsior, H-D and Indian for the inaugural race at Tacoma, Washington. Otto Walker finished a close second behind Eric Armstrong piloting his Indian. The following September saw the Otto Walker H-D team taking their first victory on the II-K model at yet another of Jack Prince's new board ovals at Maywood. The II-K was now fitted with a new prototype engine featuring eight valves. This resulted in favourable sales figures during the 1915 and 1916 period. The standard single and twin models were now offered with full electrical equipment of the Model 17 racing 8 valver. While Ottaway had been able to greatly increase the power of the basic pocket valve models, it was obvious that the ohv four-valve per cylinder could greatly enhance the breathing capabilities and provide more efficient combustion chamber configuration if both intake and exhaust valves could be positioned within the cylinder head. This was already the case with the Carl Oscar Hedstrom of Indian. Under Ottaway's direction, many prototype engines were built and tested. 

After many difficulties, Ottaway convinced Walter Davidson to employ Harry Ricardo. After weeks of experimentation, Ricardo finally produced the desired results with the standard 61 cubic inch motor turning out 55 hp. The resulting two limited racers offered a single 30-50 cubic inch and twin 61 cubic inch models. 

Ottaway, as competition manager for H-D, organised the H-D racing team in preparation for up-coming races. Again under leadership of Otto Walker, the team consisting of Harry Brant, Floyd Clymer, Sam Corrento, Harry Crandall, Paul Gott, Irving Jahnke and Ray Weishaar was drilled on team tactics, pit stops and flag signalling. The perfectionist manners of off-track duties were transported to the track, with racers being groomed to peak physical condition. 

On July 25^th, the H-D team entered into the board track races at Sheepshead, Long Island, taking a commendable first, second, third, fourth and sixth place, with Red Parkhurst making the extremely fast time of 89.01 mph. Later races, at the same track, saw speeds of well over 90 mph for H-D machines. 

A publicity attempt to publicise the new Remy equipped models, saw the entire H-D racing team sporting the equipment on the next 400-mile run. Despite the introduction of the electric start the previous year, the reliability of the contemporary batteries were questionable. 

A setback for the H-D factory came when the team failed to win at the Pike's Peak hill climb. Excelsior, H-D, Indian and Thor all fielded strong teams, with the Indian team mounting a 8-valve track engine in their roadster frame. 

April 1919 saw the introduction of an entirely different and new engine. Designated the 'W' model and called the 'Sport Twin', the W was a small and compact machine, powered by a horizontally-opposed side valve engine of 37 cubic inches, producing 6 hp. Fitted with a three-speed sliding gear-type transmission, mounted to the rear of the crankcase, and the primary drive being by helically cut gears to a multiple clutch running in oil. Final drive was by a completely enclosed chain. Another departure from tradition was the fitting of a trailing link strut braced fork activated by a single barrel coil spring attached to the head lug. 

The new model was a marked improvement, offering both smoother vibrations and being easier to start. 

During 1919, the company decided to resurrect their racing campaigns, under the direction of Bill Ottaway and R.W. Enos, who put together the most formidable array of talent yet seen in the States. Know as the 'Wrecking Crew', they started a promising future for the company. 

Excelsior and Indian also committed to formidable post-war competition participation. Along with H-D, these two companies inaugurated the 'Golden Age of motorcycle competition' in the USA. 

The 'Wrecking Crew' had it in their sights to continue their almost-perfect 1916 racing record. 'Red' Parkhurst won the 200 Mile International Road Race Championship at Marion Indiana, Otto Walker headed the H-D team at Los Angeles Ascot Speedway on November 30^th to win all three first places. On January 4^th 1920, the H-D team took four first places in the 100 Mile Main Event in front of a capacity crowd. 

During the early 1920s, the H-D team was provided with the pocket valve engines that replaced the former 8-valve types. This would not only enhance the performance of the racing machines, but it also led to increase sales with the public. 

H-D offered three basic roadster models during the 20s in the form of the 'FJ' with optional acetylene lighting, the electrically equipped 'J' and the Sport Twin. The company also announced the Model 20 J, featuring the company's own electrical equipment as well as horns, batteries, lighting and generators. 

Another important event for the H-D-company during this period was the dissolution of the Federation of American Motorcycles. During subsequent meetings, the FAM was reorganised to form the AMA. The AMA was formed to operate independently of trade influence, with elected officials governing the democratic system. 

The following racing event, to be held at 'motorcycle's Indianapolis', at Dodge City, the revived 300 Mile Classic event saw the challenge from H-D's 'Wrecking Crew' Roy Artley, Leonard Buckner, Jim Davis, Ralph Hepburn, Maldwyn Jones, Walter Higley, Don Marks and Ray Weishaar, all piloting the pocket valve type machines. Indian fielded the 1919 8-valvers, with new side valve specials designed by Charles B. Franklin. 

The leaders went to the pits in the 31^st lap, and Jones took the lead to set a new 100-mile time of one hour eleven minutes and twelve seconds, averaging 84.22 mph. 

At Jones' pit stop, Higley and Davis alternated in the lead in response to orders from the pits. Davis took the lead on the 119^th lap and went on to win the race. He crossed the line two and a half laps ahead of Indian's Gene Walker, followed by Weishaar. 

Despite falling sales, H-D entered the 1921 season with renewed efforts. Their first victory of the year saw the 'Wrecking Crew' winning the contest at over 100 mph. The first factory team in the world to do so. 

The last big race of 1921 was the Grand National held at New York State Fairground track at Syracuse. Here, Fred Ludlow made his name immortal by winning in one race the National Five, Ten, Twenty five and Fifty Mile Championships.