c1916 Harley-Davidson Model 16 '5-35' Single 565cc Motorcycle

Description

William Harley and Arthur Davidson hit upon a winning formula right from the beginning, offering a big, powerful engine in a sturdy frame and all earliest Harleys were powered by a single-cylinder engine derived from a De Dion design and a single-speed transmission. With a reputation for sound engineering and excellent reliability, sales began to flourish and the Milwakee company expanded rapidly. From humble beginnings in a wooden shed, a factory on what became Juneau Street was built in 1907, then expanded and a machine shop added soon after. By 1914, production had jumped to 16,000 units, a far cry from the mere 50 motorcycles built in 1906 and an indication of the progress achieved in just eight short years. Harley-Davidson's second generation single, the Model 5-35, was announced in 1913 with a number of improvements and despite the introduction - and success - of the new V-twins, the one lunger continued in production for many years to come. With capacity raised to 35-cid by increasing the stroke from 3 ½-inches to 4-inches (the bore remained the same), the new model produced five horsepower and could reach 55 mph. The second generation Harley single retained the original's one-piece iron cylinder-head and barrel, alloy piston and crankcase and mechanically operated inlet valve, along with a total-loss lubrication system. Although belt-driven models were still technically available, most buyers opted for the new chain-drive that eliminated the problem of the leather belt slipping in wet weather. Direct drive gradually gave way to a new ?step starter? and two-speed rear hub in 1914, followed shortly afterwards by a move to a three-speed transmission with a proper sliding-pinion gearbox. The Model 5-35 remained in production until 1918, by which time demand for one lungers had begun to dry up. Few Harley-Davidson singles survive and today these relics of a bygone era keenly sought after by collectors the world over.