MODEL
K
Introduced by
Harley-Davidson
New 45 cu. in. Sports Model unveiled at
Dealers’ Sales Conference in Milwaukee
New 45 cu. in. Sports Model unveiled at
Dealers’ Sales Conference in Milwaukee
NEARLY 900 Harley-Davidson Mo-
torcycle Dealers from all parte of
the country, converged upon Milwaukee,
Wisconsin Nov. 18-21 at the Hotel
Schroeder, to witness the unveiling of the
new model K motorcycle, and attend a
series of sales conferences. It was by
faj-, the largest dealer-gathering in the
entire history of the company.
Discussing the latest addition to the
company’s Big Twin and lightweight
line, Chief Engineer Wm. J. Harley said,
“It features front and rear springing
for ride comfort, and an entirely new
45 cu. in V-twin engine of unit con-
struction. You will also note the four-
speed foot operated gear shift—making
extensive use of aluminum alloys.”
Joseph G. Kilbert, Domestic Sales
Manager, had this to say about the new
machine: “The two-wheeler is a feature
packed sports model, suitable for trials
and field meets, with the strength and
comfort for long touring.” Walter C.
Davidson, company secretary, added:
“We’re shooting for the sports market,
as it is adaptable for sporting events
and endurance runs.”
When it was announced that almost
900 dealers had registered, bedlam prac-
tically broke loose. And conventioners
needed no second invitation to get into
the spirit of things, and to visit all de-
partments. Vice-president Gordon Dav-
idson, took it upon himself to make cer-
tain that this angle was lived up to.
George Balmer, a southern regional
factory salesman, reminded his rider
audience, that riders’ “fun horizon”
could be extended through organized
tours, while A. J. Goodwin and Frederick
Kaliebe, sales and factory respectively,
discussed the potentialities of the three-
wheeled Servi-Car.
Receiving widespread comment also,
was the K-R model, a stripped down
version of the K, designed for the rally,
racing and endurance events. Race driv-
ers and enthusiasts were particularly
interested in its trim appearance and
possibilities.
Other speakers on the panel, included
H. L. Schuelke, C. W. Cartwright, John
Zimmerman, 0. R. Davis, E. C. Smith,
W. E. Kleimenhagen and Joe Campbell.
The “Butler Express Tour,” ranked
high on the agenda. The huge throng
met at the Chicago and Northwestern
railroad station, where a 17-car train
awaited their boarding. Once loaded,
the dealers were taken out to the village
of Butler on the outskirts of Milwaukee
proper, where Harley-Davidson has an-
other plant.
Here, in 1947, the company acquired
a modern factory, with 260,000 square
feet of space all on one floor, making a
grand total of over three-quarters of a
million square feet of space. Upon arri-
val, the dealers were given “enough food
and drink to make it really the end of a
perfect day,” to quote but a few.
At the Butler plant, in addition to
fabricating, the factory boasts a Harley-
Davidson Museum of Motorcycles, a con-
tinuous parade of progress in its display
of models from 1904 to the current year.
Many dealers spent a great deal of their
time along this line, tracing each new
development in motorcycle lore. Here
too, much of Harley-Davidson’s back-
ground was brought out.
Briefly, it appears the infant firm
started out in 1903, in a little shed
10 x 15 (still standing between the two
main buildings) launched by Bill Har-
ley and Art Davidson. The immediate
success of the bicycle with an engine to
propel it, prompted Walter Davidson to
enter the picture, and by 1906 the firm
doubled in space, and had reached the
amazing production record of 50 ma-
chines a year. Arthur Davidson was...