Harley-Davidson Model 7D
Encyclopedia
The Model 7D of 1911 was the first successful v-twin
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, inaugurating a motorcycle engine
configuration that has continued unbroken from the Milwaukee motor company ever since. In 1909, Harley had made a few examples (27 units) of another v-twin, but the design was flawed and they did not try again until two years later. In 1911, 5,625 Model 7Ds were manufactured. The Model 7D's motor was the F-head IOE
engine, in use until 1929. It sold for US $300, which with inflation would be $ in today's currency. Ignition was via a magneto, and the engine was started using bicycle-style pedals. Instead of a conventional clutch
, a pulley belt tensioner could be moved, allowing the leather drive belt to slip. Touting its effective muffler, Harley-Davidson advertised the 7D, and the other Harleys of this era, as "The Silent Gray Fellow."
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
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Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
, inaugurating a motorcycle engine
Motorcycle engine
A motorcycle engine is an engine that powers a motorcycle.Motorcycle engines may be two-stroke or four-stroke, reciprocating or Wankel, single-cylinder or multicylinder , or single-rotor or twin-rotor . The engine typically drives the rear wheel, but some small bikes such as the Velosolex have a...
configuration that has continued unbroken from the Milwaukee motor company ever since. In 1909, Harley had made a few examples (27 units) of another v-twin, but the design was flawed and they did not try again until two years later. In 1911, 5,625 Model 7Ds were manufactured. The Model 7D's motor was the F-head IOE
IOE engine
The intake/inlet over exhaust engine, also known as F-head and pocket valve, is a valvetrain configuration used in early four-stroke internal combustion engines...
engine, in use until 1929. It sold for US $300, which with inflation would be $ in today's currency. Ignition was via a magneto, and the engine was started using bicycle-style pedals. Instead of a conventional clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
, a pulley belt tensioner could be moved, allowing the leather drive belt to slip. Touting its effective muffler, Harley-Davidson advertised the 7D, and the other Harleys of this era, as "The Silent Gray Fellow."