![[STATNEKOV MOTORCYCLES]](graphics/mcstatnekov.gif){kind=small}
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In consort with the other manufacturers, Harley-Davidson withdrew from
factory-supported racing in 1917 and 1918, but the Milwaukee company
did not stop work in their engineering department. During the war, Bill
Ottaway began development of a new race motor. Based on the smaller
(1914 and earlier) H-D crankcase, the new design employed the use of
two separate cam shafts to operate the valves. The new setup allowed the
use of shorter cam followers than were possible in the standard, single
cam-shaft design.
The goal of this change was to reduce the reciprocating weight of the valve train in order to increase power by increasing maximum rpm. The shape of the timing chest that contained this new cam and lifter configuration resembled a "banjo" and the motor was referred to as a "banjo, 2-cam." Both 8-valve overhead and standard pocket-valve versions of the new race motor were produced. The banjo, 2-cam, however, would not make its full-fledged debut until the 1920 racing season. |
| Copyright ©1996 Daniel K. Statnekov |
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Installed: April 12, 1997 Revised: June 28, 2003 |