Triumphrat

dogtired · 07-28-2012, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eigenvector

Most of my annoyance with HD stems from their steadfast refusal to branch out into other areas.

Quote:

At the time of the Nova's conception, Harleys were powered by big-bore, long-stroke, slow-revving pushrod engines. A healthy Harley in a good state of tune might register 50 horsepower on a rear-wheel dynamometer. The plethora of short-stroke, water-cooled, overhead-cam engines that the overseas competition would eventually usher in were still just a gleam in their designers' eyes. But in 1976 Harley put into motion a plan to design and produce a radically new family of motorcycles powered by a series of engines that would incorporate all those modern features...and produce up to 135 horsepower.

...

To cover the desired range of displacements, the Nova family would share many common, interchangeable components. The basic concept revolved around a 60-degree V-cylinder arrangement of two, four and six cylinders. Other requirements included liquid cooling, double overhead camshafts, a balance shaft to reduce vibration and a five-speed gearbox. The valve gear and even the gearbox were to be interchangeable. In addition to carbureted models, a fuel-injected version would also be developed.

Read the full article here.
It is fascinating what HD could be now if this project went ahead.

Could you imagine a V6 170 HP fire breathing monster coming out of Milwaukee?

eigenvector · 07-28-2012, 10:50 AM

I also think that bigger engines is a played out concept in motorcycles.

There's plenty of talk about banning motorcycles, limiting motorcycles, enforcing emissions onto motorcycles because of the perception that they pollute too much. I still believe that to be complete garbage, but the perception is that the 40 MPG Prius is a "more enviromentally friendly" vehicle than a Goldwing or a Kwaki 650 Ninja.

I think in the interest of self-preservation the motorcycle industry would do itself a HUGE favor by dumping cash into the electric bikes, begin focusing their efforts on EFI bikes and making catilitic (how the heck do you spell that?) converters to drive down the NOx and CO emissions.

I don't want a bigger engine from Harley - I want a more mainstream bike oriented toward the commuter community. One that doesn't scream - "Look at me".

BigAl8295 · 07-28-2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogtired

Read the full article here.
It is fascinating what HD could be now if this project went ahead.

Could you imagine a V6 170 HP fire breathing monster coming out of Milwaukee?

But that machine would have killed the after-market parts business. HD owners spend thousands of dollars to make their bikes get up to the magical 100hp mark.

Irishguy · 07-28-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogtired

Just go to 2:30, the fun starts there, they have a motor on a dyno and are wringing it's neck, it makes the hair on the back of my head stand up.

DWR302, MaydayMike, a good friend Dan and I were at the Barber Vintage Festival last year and Motus had a booth set up with the Sport Touring version of the bike set up there. Dave and I asked them to fire it up. Wow... It is a badass bike. Too much money for Irishguy, but still badass. I love the idea of a little Chevy LS motor in a bike. Too cool.

Fuzzy · 07-29-2012, 08:02 PM

I think the Polaris people should send me one of their concept Indians so I can do some endurance testing. I would return it to them in a filthy, wadded up pile

Greaser · 07-31-2012, 01:14 PM

2013 Chief LE (or whatever it is called....)
$36K USD!?!?!?!?! For what? A redecorated Harley Evo? Oh whoopie it has "round" cylinders and heads. Still a damn Harley.

Anybody else see the irony of Polaris owning Indian and continuing tomake HD based "Indians" while their own Victory has more in common with the old Indian Company, namely a geared primary, right side drive and non-45 degree V angle AND NO HD PARTS!??!?!

BonnieBlack · 07-31-2012, 01:42 PM

Not that I have a lot to add, but we all like pictures. A few of us RATs got together this weekend for riding, and Saturday night we stayed at the Indianhead motel in Ironwood, MI. There was a pack of Indian riders there as well for a weekend group ride. They walked over and invited us to join them for dinner, and we all had a fine time chatting until the motel owner told us to quiet down.

They seemed cautiously optimistic about Polaris. Sentiment was, Polaris had promised to support and provide parts for the Gilroy Indians, and their support of Polaris would be based on if they followed through on that promise or not. I suppose that means many of them were on Gilroy's, but I don't know. Here's some of their rides, you all can probably identify them better than I:

They are good looking machines in the flesh.

Early in the evening, one of our group was telling an Indian guy that they heavy cruisers were just getting too heavy for him and he preferred his lighter Bonnie. Just then, a pretty little 110 lb blonde walks over, jumps on the Indian and rides off. But none of us made fun, not at all

PopPop · 07-31-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonnieBlack

Early in the evening, one of our group was telling an Indian guy that they heavy cruisers were just getting too heavy for him and he preferred his lighter Bonnie. Just then, a pretty little 110 lb blonde walks over, jumps on the Indian and rides off. But none of us made fun, not at all

I assure you, I have no idea what you are talking about.

Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle

Greaser · 07-31-2012, 01:58 PM

Every time I see those HD powered Gilroy "Indians" my blood pressure goes through the roof!
You should hear those guys putting HD down too: HELLO!! GUESS WHO DESIGNED YOUR ENGINE?

Silverado57 · 07-31-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greaser

2013 Chief LE (or whatever it is called....)
$36K USD!?!?!?!?! For what? A redecorated Harley Evo? Oh whoopie it has "round" cylinders and heads. Still a damn Harley.

Anybody else see the irony of Polaris owning Indian and continuing tomake HD based "Indians" while their own Victory has more in common with the old Indian Company, namely a geared primary, right side drive and non-45 degree V angle AND NO HD PARTS!??!?!

That's still a Stellican design. No one is making you buy it. EVERYONE realizes that price is outrageous.

I'll say it one more time. The Polaris designed Indians will be out in a year or so.

In the meantime, amuse yourself with the new Victory Boardwalk.
http://www.victorymotorcycles.com/en...mail&WT.mc_id=