Who knew,

From what I understand HD was commissioned by the Military to Copy the Germans BMW

http://www.harleyxa.zoomshare.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3t0yom2TV4

 

That's impossible! Everyone knows Harley copies no one!

Harley was first! All others are wannabe's!

[/fanboy]

 

well pretty much anybody knows that's been riding Harleys for a good number of years . It's part of the more interesting history of HD . I'm sure there are a number of guys in here that,s seen a few of those besides myself .

 

For those that may not know. Harleys were used in North Africa during WWII. They discovered the sand was eating up the chains and sprockets. The current engine design wasn't holding up to the heat. The US military ask Harley-Davidson to develop a shaft driven motorcycle. The Harley bikes that had side-cars also had a shaft driven wheel on the side-car.

When the Army ordered a shaft drive motorcycle for use in North Africa against the German Army, Harley-Davidson built the XA-750. It used a springer front end that was two inches longer than any other springer Harley developed.

I know of one of these Harleys in the 45th Infantry museum in Oklahoma City.

 

Pretty sure I saw a shaft drive at the wheels through time museum in Maggie Valley..

 

CNBC tonight...Biography of hd...very good show.

 

They also made a couple water cooled bikes as well. I've seen one of them in a collection in Minneapolis. Noname

 

As long as you don't count Indian or Merkel

 

Certainly never went very far.It was only a military machine,and the only opposed cylinder engine HD ever made

 

That you did they have 3 of them there her is one in military trim and in civilian trim










Indian Motorcycles also made them as well here is one at WTT