as their reputation. In 1919 an odd fore-and-aft flat twin was introduced, but would only last 4 years. Meanwhile, the V-twin, which had grown from 50 cubic inches to 61 cubic inches for 1912, was joined by the 74- cubic- inch version in 1921- the first of the famed Seventy-fours. A small-displacement single (21 cid) was introduced in 1926 offered in both, side-valve (Flathead) and overhead valve configurations. Strange as it may seem, flathead engines- the crudest of all four-stroke designs- were usually thought of being superior to IOE or even overhead- valve configurations during this period, much of the flatheads popularity was due to its easy serviceability, (far more important back then than today), Harley decided to adapt this valve layout to its V-twins, and the famous flatheads -due to survive more than four decades- would replace the IOE engine as the Roaring Twenties drew to a close. Untimely as it was, the start of the stock market crash in 1929 known as Black Tuesday was the start of the Great Depression. In 1932 and 1933 stocks hit rock bottom, banks failed by the hundreds and checks were no longer used. There was no way to tell a good check from a bad one. New investment couldnt be financed through the sale of stock, because no one would buy the new stock. All Businesses suffered, some never to be seen again. Harley-Davidson held fast and rode out those rough times, down but not out. The Knucklehead, a more advanced V-twin design for the mid thirties, which was state-of-the art at that time dictated overhead valves (something Harley already had experience with from its 21 cid Peashooters). So the new engine made use of this feature. Since the displacement worked out to be 61 cubic inches, the official name given the new V-twin was the 61 OHV. The bike it powered was called an EL. ...
