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Knucklehead vs Evolution, or the original vs the retro

With 122 years of continuous motorcycle production, Harley sits at the top as the world's oldest motorcycle manufacturer. What started in a small wooden shed in Milwaukee in 1903 has evolved into one of the world's most famous brands. Some Harley models have been more significant than others, and we've looked at one of these and the retro version.

The original; Harley-Davidson EL 1000 Knucklehead

Harley-Davidson's long and very extensive history naturally makes it difficult to single out individual models and point out that this one was more important than the others. However, I took a chance and traveled back to the "roaring 30s". Harley Davidson now had a significant position in the American motorcycle industry, and was established as a leading player in the world market, at the same time as it was going through very tough economic times. In 1931, work began on developing a new model, with a modern design and an improved engine. The result of this work was one of Harley-Davidson's most important models, the famous 1000 cc "E" nicknamed "Knucklehead" which came out in 1936. Modern streamlined design in combination with a powerful top-ventilated v-twin was everything customers could wish for. Visually, Harley hit the nail on the head with this model, and with its long, low lines it gave the impression of "customizing", long before the term was used. But the top-ventilated 61-cubic-inch engine's primary strength was its speed. Few of its competitors could match a top speed of 153 km/h.

The retro: Harley-Davidson 1340 Softail Springer

If there's one thing Harley-Davidson knows how to do, it's celebrate anniversaries or pay tribute to past successes. Based on Harley's "lifebuoy" Softail , which was launched in 1984, the retro classic Softail Springer was released in 1988. You barely needed half an eye to see that the model was a tribute to the E1000 or Knucklehead as it was most often referred to. The recipe for awakening nostalgic memories was simple. The Softail's frame, which was essentially a rigid frame look-alike in combination with a slightly modified Springer fork, brought nostalgia to the public. The combination of modern technology and old design was a success.

Commercial nostalgia

Softail Springer 1340 was exactly what Harley-Davidson had hoped for; a commercial nostalgic, with modern handling. We should also not forget that the engine in the Springer, the famous Evolution 1340, was at least as important to Harley when it arrived in 1984 as the Knucklehead was in 1936, if not more important. At the beginning of the 1980s Harley-Davidson was struggling with the quality of its Big-Twins, its reputation was bad and customers were disappearing. The Evolution 1340 reversed this trend, and Harley was able to climb to new heights in terms of sales figures and popularity.

Technical data: Harley Davidson EL 1000 Knucklehead, 1936 model:

  • Engine: V-twin, 45 degrees, overhead valve
  • Displacement: 61.33 ci/989 ccm
  • Power: 40 hp
  • No. of gears: 4
  • Weight: 256 kg
  • Top speed: 153 km/h

Technical data: Harley Davidson Softail Springer 1340, 1989 model:

  • Engine: V-twin 45 degrees, top ventilated
  • Displacement: 81.56 ci/1338 ccm
  • Power: 55 hp
  • No. of gears: 5
  • Weight: 288 kg
  • Top speed: 183 km/h