Harley-Davidson motorcycles
transcend mere transportation devices. Link to the picture-rich articles below
to learn why.
Big and brawny, loud and proud,
Harley-Davidson is America on two wheels.
It's no coincidence that the history
of Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson, founded in 1903, parallels that of the 20th
Century, the American Century.
Racers and cops, soldiers and stars,
lawyers and loners, all seem to have found themselves on a Harley. Experience
the magic in these profiles and pictures of very special Harley-Davidson
motorcycles.
2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod
Revolution is more than just the name of Harley-Davidson's
liquid-cooled V-twin; it's the concept behind a whole breed of
motorcycle -- the 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod.
Motorcycle Image Gallery For years, rumors of a "high-tech" Harley circulated like Big Foot sightings at an annual tabloid convention. Liquid cooling? Double overhead cams? Four valves per cylinder? Preposterous! Yet despite the obvious contradiction in design principles, this rumor turned out to be true.
Though the V-Rod represents a completely different kind of animal in the Harley-Davidson lineup, its heart comes from an established company source: the racetrack. Harley's VR 1000, which entered the racing scene back in 1994, was powered by a liquid-cooled, double-overhead-cam, 60-degree V-twin very similar to that found in today's radical V-Rod.
The 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod motor
produces an impressive 115 horsepower at 8,250 rpm -- more than any
other street motorcycle the company has ever produced.©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Without question, specifications of the Revolution motor are indeed
high-tech, yet remain grounded in Harley tradition. A V-twin
configuration was a given, though the spread between the cylinders was
increased from the usual 45 degrees to a smoother-running 60 degrees.
Both connecting rods still share the same crankshaft journal, but the
crank itself is now a stronger one-piece forged unit rather than
Harley's usual three-piece design.
The traditional overhead-valve layout gives way to more efficient double overhead cams activating four valves per cylinder. Electronic sequential-port fuel injection feeds the hungry pistons, with spark provided by plug-top ignition coils. Liquid cooling-another departure from the Harley norm-promotes more consistent operating temperatures, and the front-mounted radiator carries artfully fashioned scoops on its outside edges to assist airflow. A 2-into-l-into-2 exhaust system culminates in a pair of large slash-cut mufflers.
The traditional overhead-valve layout gives way to more efficient double overhead cams activating four valves per cylinder. Electronic sequential-port fuel injection feeds the hungry pistons, with spark provided by plug-top ignition coils. Liquid cooling-another departure from the Harley norm-promotes more consistent operating temperatures, and the front-mounted radiator carries artfully fashioned scoops on its outside edges to assist airflow. A 2-into-l-into-2 exhaust system culminates in a pair of large slash-cut mufflers.
The 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod features a long, low silhouette. ©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
A vastly oversquare 3.94-inch bore and 2.84-inch stroke (other Harley
motors are undersquare) result in a displacement of 69.0 cubic inches,
or 1130 ccs-hardly a large motor by Harley standards. Nevertheless,
working on lofty 11.3:1 compression, the Revolution belts out an
impressive 115 horsepower
at 8,250 rpm -- more than any other street motorcycle the company has
ever produced. A gear primary drive (rather than the traditional double-
or triple-row chain) transfers power to the five-speed transmission through a hydraulically actuated clutch -- the first in Harley history.
Designated VRSCA, the 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod breaks new ground in other ways as well. While the long, low silhouette is certainly not a departure, the 38-degree fork angle is steeper than that of any other Harley, and contributes to a lengthy 67.5-inch wheelbase-also the greatest of any bike in the line.
Designated VRSCA, the 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod breaks new ground in other ways as well. While the long, low silhouette is certainly not a departure, the 38-degree fork angle is steeper than that of any other Harley, and contributes to a lengthy 67.5-inch wheelbase-also the greatest of any bike in the line.
The speedometer on the 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod is housed in a pod-like instrument panel. ©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
A silver perimeter frame wraps around the motor, underlining the
anodized aluminum body panels rather than being hidden by them. A
special hydroform process is used to produce the extreme curves seen in
the upper frame rails, while a lower bolt-on section holds the
powertrain.
A twin-filament headlight resides in an ovoid housing that extends up into a pod-like instrument panel carrying a speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge. The "fuel tank" isn't a tank at all; it's simply a cover that hides the downdraft intake system, the real tank being located beneath the seat for a lower center of gravity. Out back, a "clipped" rear fender reminiscent of that used on the Deuce covers a fat 180-section 18-inch tire, versus a 120-section 19-incher in front.
A twin-filament headlight resides in an ovoid housing that extends up into a pod-like instrument panel carrying a speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge. The "fuel tank" isn't a tank at all; it's simply a cover that hides the downdraft intake system, the real tank being located beneath the seat for a lower center of gravity. Out back, a "clipped" rear fender reminiscent of that used on the Deuce covers a fat 180-section 18-inch tire, versus a 120-section 19-incher in front.
The 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod is high-tech, yet grounded in Harley tradition. ©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Solid front and rear wheels are fitted to only two Harley-Davidson
models: the Fat Boy and the V-Rod. But they are of decidedly different
design. Where the Fat Boy's have a "three-piece" look-with the rims
riveted to cast disc hubs-the V-Rod's appear to be turned from a solid
block of aluminum. Four-piston calipers grip dual floating rotors in
front, a single rotor in the rear. Final drive is by Harley's typical
cogged belt.
Even those familiar with the rumors of a high-tech Harley were stunned by the design sophistication of the company's first "performance custom." And the V-Rod stands in evidence that as Harley-Davidson enters its second century, there are many more surprises left to come.
Even those familiar with the rumors of a high-tech Harley were stunned by the design sophistication of the company's first "performance custom." And the V-Rod stands in evidence that as Harley-Davidson enters its second century, there are many more surprises left to come.
Source: Harley-Davidson from HOWSTUFFWORKS
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