c1930 Harley-Davidson Model B 350cc Motorcycle

Description

Although singles had formed the mainstay of Harley-Davidson's formative years, it wasn't until 1926 that the company offered a range of single-cylinder motorcycles to sit alongside the big V-twins. Displacing 21.1-cid (346cc), the new series was sold in either Model A (with a magneto) or Model B (with a generator and coil ignition) versions and could be had in either flathead or overhead-valve (denoted as Sport Solos and the suffix 'A') models. The flathead followed typical Harley practice, with the valves side-by-side and operated by short pushrods while the overhead-valve models became better known as the 'Peashooter' and went on to achieve great success in competition. Full electrical equipment was optional on all models and the Model B was fully equipped with a battery, horn, twin bulb headlamp and tail light controlled by switches on the steering head. A new 'teardrop' design fuel tank was hung over the top frame tube and sprung forks up front gave some level of riding comfort, although the rear end remained rigid. Harley-Davidson preferred to promote the flathead version over the more expensive ohv (which sold for $40 more and was more costly to manufacture) and as a result the sidevalve models always comfortably outsold the ohv versions. The Model B was capable of reasonable performance for the day and could top 50 mph where conditions allowed. Relatively few Harley-Davidson singles of the period survive in Australia and they have become highly collectible as a result.