VL Question

[bselph]

I love my 33VC

[c.o.]

Dear Rollo, you won't hear me disagreeing. The 1933-36 Art Deco Harleys have that in-your-face paintwork that I think looks even better than the later bikes. As to speed, the bikes were probably undergeared for dirt roads, with 22 and 23 tooth drive sprockets. You'll find they will pull a 25 tooth sprocket today and cruise that much faster. Remember Harley took an early VLD up to 104 mph to claim the AMA production bike speed record, probably in 1932. And a September 1935 Universal newsreel shows California Highway Patrol VLs being tested to make sure they did 100 mph. Check out my ad on the back cover of the latest AMCA mag if you want to join in a re-enactment.

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Cory, thanks for that 32 seconds of pure pleasure. I've got five of my ten 1935/6 CHP bikes built, with number six on track for year end. I've made a batch of 27 tooth drive sprockets for them, and my Dutch friends are reporting 160 kph/100 mph using them on their 1935 VLs.

[fabercycle]

I'm just curious at how they kept their hats on at that speed!

[c.o.]

Dear Cory, thanks for that 32 seconds of pure pleasure. I've got five of my ten 1935/6 CHP bikes built, with number six on track for year end. I've made a batch of 27 tooth drive sprockets for them, and my Dutch friends are reporting 160 kph/100 mph using them on their 1935 VLs.

Glad you enjoyed it Steve!! Those VL's will really haul the mail!!!

I'm just curious at how they kept their hats on at that speed!

I was wondering the same thing Tom.

[hd44knuck]

Maybe they were special hats similar to the one at Lee Roy Hartung
Auction and that is why it sold for over $7,000.00