Harley’s First Land Speed Record

In 1936, Harley-Davidson embarked on an ambitious journey into land speed racing. While Harley-powered motorcycles had been utilized by private race teams before, this endeavor marked the company’s first official factory-built land speed racer. The foundation was a 1937 EL model, equipped with Harley’s new overhead valve 61ci Knucklehead motor. Enhancements included low-slung handlebars and a custom fairing, ingeniously crafted from a reshaped gas tank to fit over the front forks. To improve aerodynamics, a rear tail fin assembly was also added.

By March 1937, the motorcycle was ready for its record attempt. However, testing revealed that the tail fin caused significant unwanted vibration, leading to its removal before the official run. Harley-Davidson selected factory racer Joe Petrali to pilot the motorcycle, and on March 13, he set a new record of 136.183 miles per hour on Daytona Beach.

This impressive record stood unchallenged for 11 years until Rollie Free shattered it with his iconic run across the Salt Flats, legs extended straight behind him, wearing only his bathing suit. Though Petrali’s safety gear was minimal, Free’s daring attire and audacious posture became legendary in the world of land speed racing.