Factory experimentation, DAH!

By 1929 Harley and Davidson were not exactly collecting #1's on the hills or on the tracks like they were in the earlier part of the century. That was possibly the reasoning behind them putting out an OHV 45" race motor called the DAH. This motor was first featured in a factory built hillclimber which there were several versions of
between 1929 and 1932. Some notable features of the bike include dual exhaust heads, trailing-link forks, a single gear transmission, and a Schebler racing carb to feed the alcohol burning engine. Ultimately the experimentation worked and in 1932 Joe Petrali won the National Hillclimb Championship with a double down-tube frame design.



Although I haven't found much info about this motor being used in street or flat track models, I have found a few pics that suggest these were produced at one point or another.


Note: some historians (drunk old bike dudes) credit this successful hillclimbing OHV bike with the popularity the Knucklheads recieved in '36. Although the two engines share nearly zero design traits, some believe that HD had proven it's ability to build OHV engines by first racing one up a 45 degree grade.

Inspired to bash some mules

Got some reading material from Brian over at fiftyshaze yesterday including an often overlooked, but rarely regretted Canadian made publication, Motorcycho (go get one, you won't be sorry). In it, is a great article by Tim Weaver.

Tim tells a tale of days gone by when motorcycle racing events were run-what-ya-brung and hot-rodding your machine was done by dumpster diving behind the suzuki shop. Tim recalls a few hillclimbing machines he built back in the day when he had no money for gas or entry fees let alone cash to buy the latest metal mulisha ride gear.

I've been thinking a lot about these kinds of events lately. Old dirt track races, hillclimbs, field days, etc. Moto sports have become so specialized that it's imposible for the average joe to compete or even just have fun without an enclosed trailer of snap-on's and a million dollar machine. The days of running a street bike up a hill or a 2-stroke down the highway are all but gone.

So I'm taking Tim's challenge seriously and thinking about how we here at the Antiquated Mule can loosely organize some open events this summer. I'm already working on the possibility of plowing a dirt track oval out at the Sastard family farm and now want to look at some possibilities for an ad-hoc hillclimb as well. They'll be run-what-ya-brung events and if you crash and burn we can offer you a ride home or to the hospital, but the rest is on you. Anyone interested in helping to organize is welcome and anyone wanting to join in the fun is welcome.

Here's some classic shit to get you inspired.

Saskatoon Hillclimb 1940

More about Saskatoon's Motorcycle Legacy Here