There is no bike on the road that looks like a Harley-Davidson. Over the manufacturer's century-long history, the look of the Harley has changed and the true enthusiast can tell the year of a bike at a glance. One of the most obvious clues is the distinctive Harley engine. Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/history-of-the-shovelhead-engine-362100.html Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Shovelhead Parts, visit http://www.jirehcycles.com/.History of the Shovelhead Engine
Author: Christine Harrell
For twenty years, Harleys got their look from the Shovelhead engine, the engine that many people even today automatically associate with the bike.
The End of the Panhead
In the mid 1960s, Harley Davidson motorcycles used the Panhead engine, so called because of the shape of the rocker covers. As the bikes got heavier they required engines with more power than the Panhead could deliver. In 1966, Harley introduced the next evolution of this engine design.
This new engine, like its predecessor, got its name from the shape of the rocker covers. The covers were shaped like coal shovels and these shovelhead parts inspired the Shovelhead engine's name.
The Shovelhead had more powerful cylinders and pistons and was meant to provide stronger acceleration to meet the demands of bikers of the day.
The engine had its drawbacks. It was more powerful but also heavier so didn't give as much power as had been hoped. That weight also affected the bike's steering and could cause it to weave at top speeds.
Some of these shortcomings were because it had not originally been designed as a motorcycle engine. It was supposed to be used in an outboard motor but engineers discovered that it didn't work well in humid environments, which is rather a significant drawback for a marine engine.
The Shovelhead Era
Although the Shovelhead was not perfect, it still provided a lot of power for the new generation of bikes.
Harley continued to improve the engine throughout its life. In the 1970s there were a number of changes made to the design of Shovelhead parts that resolved many consumer complaints about its performance.
However, the engine never became what bikers wanted it to be. Some of the reasons for this were government regulations that came out of the energy crisis of the 1970s. Harley was limited as to how much power they could give the engine.
One real improvement in Shovelhead parts was the FLH Electra-Glide Package, also known as the Police Option. Although this option made the bike harder for the amateur to maneuver, a skilled rider could get more power and speed.
The End of the Shovelhead
Despite Harley's efforts, this engine struggled to keep pace with the innovations that were sweeping the industry. Shovelhead parts such as oil management systems were considered archaic when compared to other engines and the machine fell out of favor.
Harley stopped producing the engine in 1984, although manufacturers still make custom engines in the same style. The Shovelhead was replaced by the Evolution engine that Harleys still use today.
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Saturday, April 12, 2008
History of the Shovelhead Engine
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Harley Davidson Helmets- Making Your Noggin Safe and Helping You Look Good as Well
Harley helmets are available in various shapes and styles. What item to select? That relies on several criteria -- what style of biker you are, if you want the ultimate in protection, and what the remainder of your accessories look. Let's go over some of the options we have so you can sort through the choices and make a good determination. Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/harley-davidson-helmets-making-your-noggin-safe-and-helping-you-look-good-as-well-367878.html Ken Av is a Harley rider who tries to keep his head on straight. He's been blogging about motorcycles and motorcycle gear for a long time and has been recognized as an authority for a bit less than that. Ken has played with lots of Harley accessories and would love to share his musings and recommendations on Harley Helmets with you.
Author: Ken A.
Wearing Your Harley Davidson Helmet
Lecturing you once more on the issue of helmet safety is repetitive and redundant. Instead, let's agree that it's crucial to put on protective headgear, and use this chance to consider the options that are available.
Full Face Helmets
These head protectors shield your entire block. Not surprisingly, they provide the ultimate in safety. With a jaw bar, face shield as well as a strong outer shell, they're the right choice for individuals who like going fast and are fine with being separated from the elements. One can find a really slick looking Harley "Ghost Smoke" model online. The negative aspect of these head protectors is that they often become very hot, in spite of cooling channels that are designed to allow air circulation into the helmet.
Harley Half Helmet
The half helmet belongs to the other end of the spectrum when it comes to protection. This is for the biker who wants to experience the environment while biking, at the loss of some protection. These helmets normally don't protect the entire skull and do not fit as snugly on the parts of the head that they do protect. Many half helmets are available with standard or not so traditional Harley styles.
Find a three-quarter helmet as an alternative to Half and Full face helmets.
Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary Helmet
Because Harley-Davidson experienced such overwhelming achievement in promoting their centennial celebration, the company choose to repeat the effort several years later. For this reason, both 105th as well as 100th anniversary equipment are available for purchase. Helmets are included in this promotional plan. On some helmets, you will discover classic bar-and-shield symbols next to excellent anniversary-style graphic designs. Many other Anniversary designs are accessible as well. If you search the web, you'll discover lots of possibilities that can work well for you.
Vintage Helmets
If you're looking for vintage Harley helmets, the perfect site to try is eBay. New designs supply retro styling, while used items supply wild custom paint jobs. Be cautious with a used model, however, since it may not be up to modern DOT standards.
Those are only a sampling of the Harley Davidson helmets models available. You may want to visit Harley Davidson on the web for more ideas. Or, look around a bit on the web, and you'll discover yourself with lots of models to choose from.
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Saturday, April 5, 2008
Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle
Harley Davidson has been considered as the iconic American bile for ages and owning this bike is luxury for some and sheer passion for alot of others. Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/harley-davidson-sportster-motorcycle-375610.html Martin Davies enjoys writing about motorcyles and in particular the Harley Davidson Sportster and often blogs on all topics related with Harley Davidson Motorcycles.Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle
Author: Martin Davies
Harley Davidson Motor Company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in USA is the manufacturer of these fine motorcycles.
The Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle happens to be the proud member of the Harley Davidson Motorcycles family and came into existence in the year 1958.
The Sportsters bikes were inaccurately based on the then popular K-model racer. The first ever Harley Davidson Sportster was pretty lightweight, relatively narrow and stripped down and had earned a good amount fanfare among the sports bike enthusiasts.
Many bike lovers believe that the Harley Davidson Sportster gradually evolved to become the Harley's cruiser bike model.
There is a group of people who also like to call this beautiful bike as the semi-sports bike, now that is an interesting way to name a bike!
Today's evolved Sportster resembles the XLCH Sportster bike model that was created in the year 1958 but amusing enough every single part of the Sportster is different when compared to the XLCH Sportster of 1958.
The batteries and battery boxes, engines, carburetors and air cleaners, exhaust, mufflers, brakes and rotors, rotors, cables and charges, gas tank, oil tank, swing arm, rear shocks, wheels, forks, frames, everything is different but surprisingly the resemblance is austere.
One has to bear in mind that Harley Davidson bikes have always been considered as or rather was intended to be the chopper style bikes. In fact it was Harley Davidson bike that has given a rise to the new whole new cult of custom created bikes.
People often find this fact as contradictory but then if you have ever owned a Harley Davidson or have been an avid admirer of any model of Harleys you would know what it means to be believe in evolution but not revolution.
It is this characteristic of the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle that has made the bike what it is today, a truly retro yet state-of-the-art bike till this date.
It is for this fact that the Harley Davidson motorcycle company, which is the oldest motorcycle manufacturing company, has retained its popularity and credibility as the one of the most renowned motorcycle companies in the world.
The Sportster Motorcycle too lives up to the standards set by the earlier models of Harley Davidson's motorcycle company. By this yardstick the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle is a real-time example of the evolving work or let's say a work in progress. Have you ever seen two Sportsters that looked exactly the same?
Believe me one doesn't have to be a Harley Davidson motorcycle fanatic to be able to answer this. Any layman who knows a little bit about Harleys will answer the question. You will never find two Sportsters that look same, it is again for the reason that the like any other Harley Davidson bike, the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle too is full of possibilities when it comes to the additions and modifications.
This is especially true for the basic XLH 883 and XLH 1200 models. The type and number of modifications that you can do to your Harleys Sportster can be limited only by your own creativity and imagination.
Whether it's engine performance, safety accessories, comfort and convenience accessories, appearance accessories, the possibilities are many.
It is the final touches that you give to your Sportster that lends the personality to your Sportster.
No wonder that even today a well-maintained and well-treated Sportster is capable of fetching you a 100% of the original cost price as the resale value.
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