Quote:
Originally Posted by sand_man
So for those in the know (Higgins), do you agree about the '57 Sportster being inconic in the HD lineage?
|
Absolutely. There was a time, believe it or not, when H-D was actually at the forefront of innovation and development. They pioneered battery/coil ignition at a time when magnetos were the norm, greatly easing the chore of kick starting a motorcycle. They pioneered unit construction on the Sportster's predecessor, the 750cc side valve K model. Their hydraulic front forks were a big step forward for American motorcycles, and even outside of the U.S., they were still somewhat rare.
The Sportster represented what was then the cutting edge of performance motorcycles, utilizing all these "modern" and "innovative" technologies on one platform. The real coup de grace, however, was that four cam, overhead valve, 900cc motor. Against a backdrop of 500cc British parallel twins, this was a real fire breathing monster. Granted, there was the Vincent (I think by then out of production) and other exotic, bespoke motorcycles, but the Sportster was available to anyone brave enough to ride one. It really turned the motorcycle world on its ear.
It's funny how today it has become more or less the "beginners'" Harley, or the "girls' bike". It wasn't always like that. The original Sportsters remind us of those days, when only hairy-chested he-men with some kind of a death wish rode Sportsters. As such, they will always have a special place in H-D history.