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1912 Harley-Davidson 8A Silent Gray Fellow

Date1912
DimensionsDimensions: 228 × 74 × 104 cm (89 3/4 × 29 1/8 × 40 15/16 in.)
Object numberR.1985.001.0412
CollectionReynolds-Alberta Museum Collection
Description

Engine: Horizontally-opposed, two-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled
Displacement: 494 cc (30 ci)
Bore & Stroke: 84 x 89 mm (3.3125 x 3.5 in)
Power: .2 kW (4.3 hp)
Transmission: 2-forward, manual
Weight: 111 kg (245 lb)
Original Cost: C $304 (estimate)

Harley-Davidson launched the Silent Gray Fellow model in 1907 based off of the 1903 prototype. Several iterations of this motorcycle were produced until 1918. The motorcycle was given its name for the effective muffler, the gray paint scheme, and also as a reference to one of the founders, William S. Harley, who was known for his quiet nature. This 1912 model comes with their patented "Ful-Floteing" seat and optional magneto ignition.  

More Information

Chronology:

1903 - William A. Davidson, Walter Davidson Sr., Arthur Davidson and William S. Harley founded Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
1904 - Prototype machine raced in Milwaukee.
1905 - Started producing a limited number of motorcyles.
1906 - Harley-Davidson built their first factory.
1907 - Production increased and introduced their V-Twin prototype.
1911 - Introduced their improved V-twin model.
1912 - Introduced their patented "Ful-Floteing" seat.
1917 - Started producing bikes for the military and also launched a line of motorcycles aimed at the domestic market.
1920 - Harley-Davidson becomes the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
1921 - Otto Walker, riding a Harley, set the record for the first motorcycle to win a race at greater than 160 km/h (100 mph).
1929 - Harley introduced the Model D - a flat-head V-twin aimed to compete with Indian and Excelsior. Vivian Boles drove 5,000 miles acoss the United States and Canada on a Model D.
1929-1933 The Great Depression caused sales of motorcycles to plummet but Harley-Davidson still continued to produce motorcycles.
1934 - Harley-Davidson unveiled a new line-up of motorcycles.
1936 - Knucklehead engine models introduced.
1939-1945 - Harley produced a large number of motorcycles for military efforts during the Second World War.
1969 - After years of financial troubles, American Machine and Foundry (AMF) buys the Harley-Davidson Company. To make the company profitable, AMF streamlined production and slashed the workforce, causing sales and quality to decline.
1969 - Purchased by Stan Reynolds in Washington State, USA.
1981 - AMF sold Harley-Davidson and the new investors changed operations, adding new technologies and improving quality and slowly growing the brand repuation.
1984 - Stan Reynolds donates this to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum.
1990 - Harley introduces the Fat Boy motorcyle which became the industry leader in the heavyweight motorcycle market.
2003 - Harley-Davidson celebrates their 100th anniversary.

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