The Washington times., 1917-03-10
MILITARY INFLUENCE
RULES MOTORCYCLE
The HarIey-Davidson Machine
Changes Color to Drab
Olive.

Military influence is noted in the
1917 model Harley-Davidson motor
cycle, now in the showrooms OF Au-
gust Zimmerman, local dealer.
For fifteen years the Harley-David-
son has been gray, but this year the
machine 'appeats in military olive drsb
like the machines which did service In
Mexico. The change in color resulted
from the large number of Harley
Davfdsons sold to the Government and
to the armies of other countries. Mill
tary olive drab was specified In each
instance because of the difficulty for
that color to be seen at a distance by
the enemy.
Replace the Mule.
Army demands for increased speed
and power have also Influenced the
1917 models. Mexico offers conditions
that army men declare are the very
worst from the standpoint Of trans
portation difficulties. Motorcycles
used in machine gun service-sup-
planting the army mule-have been
required to pull heavy loads through
places that by no stretch of imagina-
tion could be dignified by being called
roads As a result the 1917 models
not only have all the best features of
the 1916 models, but are provided
with an exceptional amount Of re-
serve speed and power.
There are two sets of rollers and
the limit in fitting the bearing Is
ten-thousandth part Of an inch. The
bearing itself has been further sim
pIified by having the sprocket shaft
itself form the inner race of the bear
ing.
Special steels of high cost are used
and money spent in that way has
been well repaid by extra value re-
suits obtained in all OF the reciprocal
ing parts Of the motorcycle.
In countries other than the United
States the question of obtaining gaso-
Iene Is serious, and there Is much in
terest in experiments with kerosene,
denatured alcohol, and other fuels.
Has Two Fuel Tanks.
The HarIey-Davidson lends itself
admirably to the use Of two fuels, be-
cause It has two tanks, large for
regular service and a reserve tank
that can be turned to in an emerg
ency. While Il is unlikely that riders
in this country will bother with
carrying two grades of fuel, the dou-
bletank feature is appreciated. SThe
design is die nodded, the tanks as
last year having pleasing stream
lines.
Inclosed intake push-rod springs
harmonic with the inclosing of the
exhaust valve springs. More coils
have been provided in the valve
with n
new method OF winding to insure uni
form tension so that the cams will
follow the roller arms at all
speeds. A longer guide Is provided
for the inlet valve stem, and the angle
of the valve seat is 80 degrees.
The mixture Is carried through
newly designed high velocity non
condensIng intake manifold, and there
are four Important improvements on
the Schebler carburetor to take care
of the Increased speed and power.
The iutter valve Is larger. there is
three-point adjustment for starting.
the needle valve actuating cam has a
new contour, and auxiliary shutter Is
made of larger size for high speed.
Has Double Brakes
The 1917 models are fitted with dou-
BILE brakes, the new brake being Of the
external contracting type operating
on the same brake drum as the in
teTnal expanding brake. The step
starter is provided with a larger
pedal that folds neatly out OF the
way after the motor is started, the
front drive chain is practically in
closed. the electric model has a quick
! detachable battery box. and all models
! are fitted with a front stand as we'll
! as the standard rear stand, which has
been considerable improved.