Quote:
Quote:
When you see a boxer twin like this classic what comes to mind first? BMW of course. But this bike is a Harley-Davidson built during WW2 at the request of the U.S. Army when they saw the shaft drive German BMWs performance in harsh desert enviroment. After the war Harley could have continued to build and improve in the boxer twin design but I suppose they decided that wasn't their style.
According to a Popular Mechanics writeup in, maybe, '44 the opposed twin XA and the Indian Guzzi were both way underpowered as compared to the 45 inch WLA V twin, and more expensive to build.
Oddly enough, the first BMW opposed twin was based on a 1920's HD model and another flat twin made in the UK.
Wow and I thought the rear cycinder of a V-twin didn't get enough cooling air flow. That configuration had to run HOT!
Acording to war experience in the North African desert the BMW longitudinal mounted boxer twin ran much cooler than Harley's V-twin and the BMW shaft drive was far more reliable without maintenance than a chain in desert sand.
edit: You are correct the original Harley-copy of the BMW boxer twin was more expensive but that's to be expected since Harley had to quickly design and produce all new tooling to build the engine and shaft drives will be more expensive than chain. As for power the Harley XA was a side valve and by the time it hit the front BMW had advanced to overhead valves for more power.
Of course it hardly mattered because the U.S.Army quickly realized the Jeep was the ultimate all-terrain durable messenger/scout vehicle. It was also incredibly versatile performing jobs no motorcycle could match.
Last edited by outerbanks; 05/10/2013 5:16 AM.
