Year: 1928                         Cylinder capacity: 350 cc

Engine no.: 28BA3381

Documents: French road registration

While Harley-Davidson had produced single-cylinder machines long before its V-twins, the bigger machines became synonymous with Harley-Davidson, and the singles were dropped in 1918. Still, not everyone wanted a Big Twin.

Harley-Davidson answered the racing challenge, and avoided a potential loss of customers, by re-introducing singles into its lineup in 1926, with the A and B single-cylinder 350cc models. One could choose a side-valve engine (the A with a magneto or B with battery/coil). The side-valve was cheaper and lighter and sold better than its OHV brother, regardless that future generations would see the OHV machine as more attractive.

Both OHV and side-valve models had detachable cylinder heads, and the OHV had especially sprightly performance, with its good power-to-weight ratio. The BA shared a motor with the soon-to-be-legendary “Peashooter” dirt-track racer, the Model S, which had a shorter, lighter frame based on the Rudge speedway chassis. In common with all 1928 Harley-Davidson models, the A and B models also had a front brake.

The 1927 Harley-Davidson BA motorcycle was an attempt by the growing Wisconsin company to offer an economical single-cylinder model partly to compete with imported machines and partly for the export market. The 350cc bikes were available in both SV or OHV, the SV out sold the OHV model in large numbers due to its lower cost and easier maintenance. The little single scored many victories in the day in the hands of racer Joe Petrali and were to become known as "pea shooters" due to the popping sound of the exhaust.

This 1928 Harley-Davidson Model BA overhead valve Single is an older restoration, equipped with electrical lighting system and horn. This motorcycle is a great example of why Harley-Davidson was so popular in the 1920s and early ‘30s, and also why the well-loved Peashooters were so successful on the racing tracks.

The Harley Peashooter runs and rides and has French registration document, video available on request.