Harley Davidson Accessories

Harley Davidson Accessory Groups During lean years of the early Twenties, Harley-Davidson began taking cost saving measures on virtually every aspect of the business. Racing was temporarily abandoned in 1923. The company not only produced large catalogs of accessories and clothing, but took an aggressive stance against the use of non-genuine Harley parts in its motorcycles. Walter Davidson sent a personal message to potential buyers, via a direct mail flyer, touting the benefits of the 1924 line of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and inviting them to take advantage of a Pay-as-you-Ride Plan. Henry Ford's Model T and mass production assembly line manufacturing spelt death to many motorcycle makers. By the early 1920s there were around 400 makes of car on sale in America, and you could buy a good one for less then the price of a motorcycle and sidecar outfit.

Early Harley Motorcycle Pennents

A Harley-Davidson pennant was just the thing for your cycle or to mark a place for your gang at a meet. As a 1950s Harley Davidson accessory catalog boasted, "Ideal for clubs or vacation tours. " .
Right A Harley-Davidson pennant from the 1930's Left A Harley-Davidson pennant from the 1950's

Early Harley Motorcycle Accessories

One of the first motorcycle accessories offered on HD motorcycles was acetylene lighting.

Before charging systems and batteries became reliable enough to make electric lighting universal, motorcycles (Harleys included) used acetylene lights. To turn them on , you turned on a tap, which dripped water onto carbide pellets which gave off carbide gas, which could be lit. The result wasn't a very powerful light. but was better than getting caught out in complete darkness,

Electric lights such as were being used on automobiles were out of the question at this early point of electric lighting technology as they require too much extra power over that generated by the magneto: Harley-Davidson was offering electric lights as an option on the J-model in 1915, and by 1926 all the road-going twins were so equipped

1925 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Accessories

!925 HD literature announces this the greatest motorcycle accessory value in years! It continues on to say:
It's the Harley-Davidson Jiffy Stand, Harley-Davidson designed and made.

The extension leg folds up under the footboard where it is out of the way and practically out of sight. When you stop just kick the end of the extension leg with your heel and dismount. That's all there is to it.

This Jiffy Stand also facilitates starting because it helps you support the motorcycle while you are kicking over the motor. When you are ready to go simply kick up the extension leg with your foot. easy to attach. Fits all Harley-Davidson models from 1921 up. Let your Harley Davidson dealer show you this stand today. Price only $2.00 at factory.

1930 Harley Davidson Accessories

Realizing the potential of the motorcycle accessory business in the 1930s, Harley-Davidson organized they're accessories into Standard or Deluxe groups, which were bought as a pack. For 1936, for instance, the Standard group for the side-valve twins was a Safety Guard (engine crash bars), a side stand, a lighted speedometer with maximum-speed-attained hand, Ride Control and a steering damper. If you could afford the Deluxe group, it included dice heads on the switch panel, saddlebags and chrome plating for the fender lamp, stoplight and dice shift knob. In 1937, Ninety per cent of new machines were ordered with one or the other of these groups.

Harley Davidson Toys, Accessories, and Parts

Cast iron motorcycle toys were every boys favorite. This photo of a Reading, Pennsylvania Harley Dealer's front window displays a treasure trove of motorcycle accessories, parts, and goodies. Including a well stocked row of cast iron motorcycle toys. Not to mention the 1930 Harley Davidson twin featuring the new VL side-valve motor.

Right click on image of photo to enlarge

1916 Harley Davidson Model J with Package Truckk

Introduced in 1915 as an addition to the successful sidecar line. The Harley Davidson Side Van was basically a wooden box on a sidecar chassis, with a hinged top for loading, and proved very popular with commercial users. Among the Harley factory options was your own company's sign written name on the box, at 10 cents per letter, and a folding top and side curtains to protect the rider from the elements.

Model: Harley Davidson Delivery Van 17-M
Price: $70

Model: Harley Davidson Delivery Van 17-N
Price: $72

1915 Production: 98

From the beginning Harley-Davidson motorcycles had been used by police departments. The U.S. Postal Service also found them to be a much better solution for rural routes then horses. An early Harley brochure promotes a relatively new use in the below text:

Fire Department Service Comparatively new in this service, the motorcycle has One large city in the middle west in which motorcycle equipment is being used has been able to extinguish 70 per cent of its fires by means of the motorcycle equipment before the heavy apparatus arrived.

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Harley Davidson Sportster
Harley Davidson Accessories
Harley Model List

Harley 1957 Models

Harley 1958 Models

Harley 1959 Models

Harley 1960 Models

	Harley Sportster

	The Harley Sportster era begans in 1957 when Harley Davidson introduced an overhead-valve, 54-cubic-inch engine (883cc). Before that, Harley motorcycles were side-valves (Flatheads). In 1957, Harley Davidson released the overhead-valve cylinder heads, which gave the motorcycle increased horsepower and performance. Today there are many iterations of the Sportster.

	Harley Duo-Glide

	The Duo-Glide replaces the Hydra-Glide designation in the F-Series. The Duo-Glide name comes from the addition of rear shocks, (which were sealed in a chrome housing like the KR's were and the first Sportster),and the already present front suspension, thus Duo.

	Harley History 1910

	The famed Harley Davidson"Bar & Shield" logo is used for the first time in 1910. It is trademarked at the U.S. Patent office one year later.

	Harley Jersey

	*Some Class* That's what everybody will say when you step out in this Harley-Davidson racing jersey. It's the same jersey the Harley-Davidson racing stars and hill climb men have been wearing the past few years. The color is a knockout, dark green body and orange sleeves. It's also got three inch high letters that will tell 'em a mile off what motorcycle you ride.

	HHarley Davidson Panhead

	In 1948, the FL, with redesigned rocker covers for the cylinder head, got the name of Panhead. Hydraulic valve lifters caused less engine noise, ran cooler with aluminum heads, and needed less maintenance.

	Harley Dealer

	In 1907, at age 14, Dudley Perkins rode his first Reading Standard Cycle. Perkins along with Al Maggini opened their own Harley-Davidson dealership in California . They promoted the bikes by racing them. As world war II was coming to an end, Dudley Perkins saw the need to purchase the 80,000 plus bikes produced by H-D for the military. He had them repainted and ready for sale as the war ended. Dealer sales escalated as the veterans demand for bikes came into full swing.