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The 1920 Harley-Davidson 20-J brought several design updates. Check out additional motorcycle images.The 1920 Harley-Davidson 20-J featured the olive green paint that Harley adopted starting with its 1917 models. Design changes were minimal during this period, with the most significant update in 1920 being the repositioning of the headlight and horn. The V-twin engines maintained their 61 cubic inches (1,000-cc) displacement, while a larger 74-cubic-inch (1,200-cc) version was added to the lineup in 1921.
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Debuting in 1919, the Sport model was a 35.6 cubic-inch twin with horizontally opposed cylinders arranged in a "fore and aft" configuration. Designed to rival Indian's popular V-twin Scout, it struggled to gain traction among buyers and was discontinued by 1923.
The 1920 Harley-Davidson 20-J played a key role in Harley's dominance on the racing circuit.Around this time, Harley-Davidson backed a highly successful racing team, famously nicknamed the "wrecking crew" for its ability to overpower competitors. These racing bikes lacked comforts like sprung seats and sometimes even brakes, and certain models featured advanced overhead-valve engines with two or four valves per cylinder. The 1922 JD racer, equipped with a standard F-head engine, showcased bold tank lettering, a common promotional tactic for Harley's competition bikes of the era.
The 20-J was equipped with a robust V-twin engine.To explore more about Harley-Davidson and other classic motorcycles, check out:
- Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
- How Harley-Davidson Works
- How Choppers Work
- Chopper Profiles
- Classic Motorcycles
- How Motorcycles Work
