The History of
Motorcycles pt8
By: Melanie Schwarte
Following the Second Great War, things in the motorcycle world were changing faster than Katy Perry’ s hair color. Across the pond, the BSA group purchased Triumph in 1951 and quickly became the world’ s largest motorcycle producer. The German NSU was the largest manufacturer from 1955 to 1959, only to be beat out of first place by Honda in 1960. Norton had its own developments, with the manufacturing
of the twin cylinder Dominator with a featherbed frame – lightweight and strong this café racer was the ride of choice by numerous world champion racers. Back home in the states, Indian ceased all operations and production in 1950. Five years later, Brockhouse Engineering purchased the rights to the Indian Motorcycle name and sold imported Royal Enfield models branded as Indian models until 1960. While others struggled, Harley-Davidson kept on keepin’ on and in 1952 released the side valve K model. This model featured an integrated engine and transmission to compete with sportier motorcycles coming out of Great Britain. In 1957 Harley delegated the K model the“ Sportster”… it boasted a 55 cubic inch overhead valve engine, and within 1 year of its debut had become known as the first of the“ superbikes”. The following year Harley introduced the first hydraulic rear brake and new rear suspension on Big Twin models, and the all new Duo- Glide.
Post war background aside … what were our Veterans doing now that the war was over and they were back on American soil? Well they did what any one would do when out of sorts … they found a replacement for the comradery they had found during the war. That replacement came in the form of motorcycle riders grouped loosely into organized clubs … unbeknownst to them; these veterans had just changed history in the United States. The“ biker” came into being, a new social institution had been forever introduced into American society … and we thank you for that. Last month I mentioned the overwhelming amount of surplus bikes that remained after the war … cheap and plentiful, people started snatching them up. Now, these groups that were gathering together( bikers if you will) must have had some time on their hands, because they weren’ t content with just changing social history once … Oh no my friends... these
guys wanted far more. Now, having ridden European bikes during the war, they realized that Harley-Davison made some dependable machines, but they just couldn’ t compete speed wise with what they had ridden during the war. So, naturally, they took these surplus bikes home and decided to modify them. These bikes were stripped down … ammunition
14 Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana / Mississippi | April 2018 | www. thunderroadslams. com