Colin Utz Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I´m not a biker, and my motorcycle-knowledge is very limited. Any ideas, which brands and types these are? Harleys? The emblem on the tank shows a "V": This has skull and bones on the emblem: I hope, there is sombody less ignorant than myself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 No not Harley's , but I am pretty sure the first one is a kawasaki Vulcan and the second is a kawasaki drifter..( although the second bike could be a custom build ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imagery by Charly Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I wish I could see them larger, but pretty sure the second one is a custom Harley or other American made. Japanese motorcycles have brake on left side whereas Harley's have shifter on left side. So top one is Japanese and second one definitely American in a softail frame. Doubt it's in a rigid frame with the fenders on it and primary covers are very distinctive also, which seems to be Harley or S&S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiskerke Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Steve is right it's a Drifter. It's just very hard to see whether it's an 800 or a 1500. (the difference is 5 degrees: one has the cylinders at a 50 degree angle; the other at 55 degrees. The 1500 has injection; the 800 a single carb. wim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Utz Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 Thank you, all! That helps a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imagery by Charly Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Whoops, reckon I've been away from the motorcycle industry too long. Japanese motorcycles are looking more and more like HDs all the time. Needed to see the engines up close to know for sure, but at least they'll never sound like Harley's, thank goodness. hehehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiskerke Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Whoops, reckon I've been away from the motorcycle industry too long. Japanese motorcycles are looking more and more like HDs all the time. Needed to see the engines up close to know for sure, but at least they'll never sound like Harley's, thank goodness. hehehe Here's an 800 with ehh sound and weird ehh pipes. ;-) wim (who after all these years still mourns his m20) edit: honestly, I had no idea there would be a youtube video embedded here, when I only pasted a link to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Whoops, reckon I've been away from the motorcycle industry too long. Japanese motorcycles are looking more and more like HDs all the time. Needed to see the engines up close to know for sure, but at least they'll never sound like Harley's, thank goodness. hehehe Here's an 800 with ehh sound and weird ehh pipes. ;-) wim (who after all these years still mourns his m20) edit: honestly, I had no idea there would be a youtube video embedded here, when I only pasted a link to it. I just had a listen to the youtube link and even straight through short pipes it doesnt sound any thing like either of my harley big twins, not sure why though as they are both V twins.. maybe the vn 800 is watercooled and the angle of cylinders, bores and stroke is different has something to do with it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BinShehab Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 I think the photo is for an American Manufacturer called Victory Motorcycles ( http://www.victorymotorcycles.com ) As I recall this company is competing with the HD as the engine is made in the US with a cooperation on the electrical system is Japanese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imagery by Charly Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 I just had a listen to the youtube link and even straight through short pipes it doesnt sound any thing like either of my harley big twins, not sure why though as they are both V twins.. maybe the vn 800 is watercooled and the angle of cylinders, bores and stroke is different has something to do with it... Well I had thought HD won their patent for their distinctive sound, but they gave the patent application up in 2000 after 6 yrs. of litigation. The 45° angle of the jugs are patented though and that has a good deal to do with the sound. I've heard many a foreign bikes over the years, though some come close, it's still not that distinctive sound of a Harley. In my quick research this morn, I was surprised to find a patent on water cooled heads. The V Rod was bad enough when it came out and now this? Very disappointing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 I just had a listen to the youtube link and even straight through short pipes it doesnt sound any thing like either of my harley big twins, not sure why though as they are both V twins.. maybe the vn 800 is watercooled and the angle of cylinders, bores and stroke is different has something to do with it... Well I had thought HD won their patent for their distinctive sound, but they gave the patent application up in 2000 after 6 yrs. of litigation. The 45° angle of the jugs are patented though and that has a good deal to do with the sound. I've heard many a foreign bikes over the years, though some come close, it's still not that distinctive sound of a Harley. In my quick research this morn, I was surprised to find a patent on water cooled heads. The V Rod was bad enough when it came out and now this? Very disappointing... Oh no not water cooled harley's.....I know that the vrod is water cooled, but I have never regarded that as a proper harley anyway..I dont know what my mate would think as when he is out riding with us his ride is a 1941 WL . Flat head.. foot clutch hand gear change, I have ridden it afew times and all I can say it has a mind of it' own Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imagery by Charly Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Oh no not water cooled harley's.....I know that the vrod is water cooled, but I have never regarded that as a proper harley anyway..I dont know what my mate would think as when he is out riding with us his ride is a 1941 WL . Flat head.. foot clutch hand gear change, I have ridden it afew times and all I can say it has a mind of it' own Indeed it is a downright sin to water cool a Harley! Ah the great 1941 Flathead, still so many around and running strong. My first scoot was a 1940 EL Knucklehead that some idiot chopped and thankfully didn't try running it, cuz the rake was so drastic it would've seized the motor. By the time I regrettably sold it due to youngens to care for, she was 85% stock. Know all about those suicide clutches/shifts. LOL Sure wish I still had her.... first bike I split the cases on and built from the ground up. Now can't touch one for under 30K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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