Harley Dave's

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     A perfectly new motorcycle model presented 1951 last to Harley Davidson; at that time that saw internally K1 Bike mentioned the light of the world. Later the tradition enterprise - the US two-wheeler company nevertheless celebrates its 100-years existence in the year 2003 - presents accurately 50 years again a completely new model than platform of independent series: In Los Angeles press representatives and dealers as the first type of the new series VRSC the V-ROD was shown now.

     The first Harley with a litre performance of approximately 114 HP and a water-cooled V2-Motor with 60-degree-cylinders represents above all technically a revolution; so far Harleys indicated always air-cooled, laid out engines with smaller litre performances. Behind the new engine also no smaller one than the Swabian sports car sportwagenschmiede puts in Porsche, on whose know-how the engine is based considerably. How does the new model, which is to come in the autumn 2001 to the dealers and to cost presumably approximately $16,500, drive itself?

     If the 1449 cubic centimeters large twin Cam engines are defined by Harley Davidson with the name " evolution ", then the engine of the V-ROD carries the quite meeting designation " revolution " . The engine does not have any thing in common with the other Harley Models apart from the four-cycle principle and the toothed belt drive. Harley Davidson wanted to go with the new Bike quite consciously also on the engine sector other ways: Not only a high specific performance was in demand, but also a rated output beyond 100 HP.

     Starting point was the development of the Superbike Rennmotors of the type VR 1000 at the beginning of the 90's-years. For fundamental revision for the application in a mass production motorcycle the Harley managers considered prominent support helpful: Porsche got 1996 the running unit including the job to make the engine road suited . Thus were given the 60-Degree-Cylinders unusual for Harley, the short-stroke interpretation and the water cooling; usual were with the US Bikes so far 45-Degree-Cylinders, long cylinder stroke and air cooling. In white oh Swabian Tueftler operating at Stuttgart made their thing in close co-operation with the " Harley Davidson Powertrain engineering team " perfectly: They limited the capacity to 1130 cubic centimeters, implemented thereby however the proud performance of approximately 115 HP (the Homologation it is not final, why still no accurate data are present). " the torque curve runs extremely flat, the maximum may one with somewhat over 100 Newtonmeters expect " , smiles proud development boss Earl Werner.

     Performance fullly is for order, in each speed range. She comes besides extremely cultivated; Vibrations, load change reactions are like other to the two-cylinder engine. The expenditure is however also considerable: Thus both a forged crankshaft as well as forged pistons are used; in the cylinder heads in each case four valves and two cam shafts provide for fast gas throughput. The central Innereien of the engine such as crankshaft, piston and piston rod is supplied by German manufacturers.

     The toothed belt drive meanwhile traditional for Harley works also with the high performances of the V-ROD excellently.

as far the co-operation of the two renowned manufacturers Harley Davidson and Porsche go, show the fact that the engine of the V-ROD in a venture project in Kansas city, Missouri. Harley Davidson holds by it 51 per cent of the being correct rights, Porsche for 49 per cent. Basis of the joint undertaking is the co-operation of both companies continuous since beginning of the 70's-years; among other things Porsche brought the know-how for the building of the new factory in Kansas city, Missouri. Also the engines of the other Harley series were already optimized with of Porsche assistance both under performance and under sound and emission criteria.

If you can read German, the Original Documentation can be found Here
This is my translation of their Web Site.