It is difficult to determine how many of these machines survived, however 6 examples of the 1936 OHV, 2 examples of the 1937 Side Valves Prototype Side Valves grace this exhibit. The Knucklehead design remained reliable and successful until it was replaced 11 years later with the new alloy head V-Twin called the Panhead in 1948. For those want better acceleration or more top-end speed, Harley gear sets such as the Baker. These transmission shafts are machine-ground and heat-treated to shift faster and run longer than factory stock. The success on the track proved successful in the sales department which gave the Indian company great concern. We have Harley mainshafts, countershafts and kick-start shafts for 5-speed Shovelheads, 4-speed Sportsters, 4-speed Big Twins and more. The new OHV was also successful in both enduro races and hillclimbing.
Joe Petrali who was Harley’s lead tuner/ racer/tester and promotional rider set a record of over 136 miles per hour on the sand in Daytona on a modified streamlined built in the Harley racing department. Although the early production machines experienced various oiling problems, its potential was immediately realized on street and track. Click on part numbers below each catalog page to add items to your cart. Quite a remarkable number considering each machine went down a primitive assembly line and were certainly “hand built”. Discount 4 Speed Transmission Parts for Big Twins from Mid-USA for Harley. In 1936 approximately 2300 OHV machines were produced. William Harley did see the success of his new design before he passed in 1937. He had spearheaded the development of their machines along with Willian Ottaway who joined the motor company in 1913. William was one of the 4 founding fathers of the Company. The man who led the design of both the Knucklehead and the improved Side Valve engine was chief engineer William S Harley. Now, Harley had the market covered with the newest designs. Redesigned crankcases allowed the side valve to fit the same chassis as the OHV machine streamlining cost and production time. In 1937 Harley’s outdated side valve engine was redesigned incorporating a recirculating oil system. It has been affectionately called the Knucklehead since its inception in 1936. This was the first Harley that recirculated the engine oil to and from the oil tank. The big news was the new 61 cubic inch over head valve engine that utilized a newly developed dry sump oil system. Not only was the chassis redesigned with streamline fuel tanks and an integrated dashboard, but the new heavyweight V-Twin also offered a standard 4 speed constant mesh transmission. In this space, Style and Function are intertwined with a design template that would carry the motor company into the next century.
Davidson and his wife Nancy have been to the Wheels Through Time museum 3 times and this 1936/1937 Exhibit is their favorite place here.