1930 Harley-Davidson V Police Solo Motorcycle

Announced in July 1929, the Harley-Davidson V & VL Series 'Big Twin' replaced the pocket valve twins that had been in production since 1911 and featured a 74-cid (1200cc) engine developing 30 hp at 4000 rpm, 5.0:1 compression ratio and Ricardo removable heads. With a three-speed gear-change, the V Series could reach a top speed of 85 mph, making this one of the fastest bikes of the day. Other notable improvements included bigger tyres, interchangeable wheels with drop-centre rims, longer wheelbase with more ground clearance, drop forged forks and a stronger steel loop frame. The twin headlamps, Klaxon horn and round toolbox were carried over, but the rest of the bike was almost entirely all-new. In total Harley-Davidson manufactured 10,025 V-series in 1930 (this included V, high compression VL and the equivalent magneto-equipped VM & VLM models) and very few were imported into Australia due to a new import tax announced in 1929.