Beschreibung:

The side valve Harley-Davidson VL ‘Big Twin’ was announced in July 1929 as a replacement for the inlet-over-exhaust ‘pocket valve’ twins in production since 1911. Harley’s 1930 brochure described the new 74cu in machine as “standing head and shoulders above all comers, with such startling new features as a 20ore powerful motor with Ricardo removable heads, interchangeable wheels, bigger tires, drop-centre rims, lower riding position, greater road clearance, automatic increase of generator output, drop forged forks, 100tronger frame, theft proof lock, dual front drive chain, improved clutch, and many other features making the 1930 Big Twin the greatest motorcycle value ever offered.” The twin headlamps, round toolbox and Klaxon horn were carried over from 1929, but nearly all of the rest of the bike was new. Most export bikes were fitted with low-compression cast-iron pistons and intended for sidecar use, but this machine is a high-compression domestic model with aluminium pistons, brought to the UK five or more years ago and carefully restored by a marque specialist. It has been correctly refinished in olive green paint, with vermilion hand striping edged in maroon and centred in gold. The machine has twice been judged at over 90 points by the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, and is the only VL of its year in Europe to have achieved this level of recognition. The machine took ‘Best Civilian Bike’ at the Den Haag Old Timers meet shortly after it was restored in 2000, successfully completed the Banbury Run in 2003 and was exhibited as part of the Harley-Davidson centenary celebration in Minehead the same year. The machine is described as being in good condition throughout and comes with Harley-Davidson Riders Club of GB dating certificate, current Swansea V5 and historic vehicle tax and MoT until February 2006. The machine also has the benefit of a previous Pennsylvania title should the purchaser wish to return it to the USA.