The arrival of Harley Davidson's Twin Cam 96 motor in 2007 prompted memories of H-D's last major motor makeover - the original Evo of 1984.
Back in 1984 Harley was but an embryonic semblance of its current self, the firm still recovering from the disastrous AMF years (1969-1981) when the company had struggled through strikes, ever-worsening build quality and a diversification into two-strokes - truly hideous machines and all but forgotten.
The management buy-out in 1981 had brought forward a new direction and pride in the product - and much needed R&D. At the time (non-Sportster) Harleys were powered by 'shovelhead' motors, overweight relics that had been lumbering along, unreliably, since 1966. The Evo 80 retained the 1340cc of the bigger old motors, but everything else, V-angle and firing sequence excepted, was all-new, including the reliablity.
A publicity stunt to launch the new motor saw a pack of FLT Tour Glides charging around the Talladega Speedway, hoping to cover 8000 miles at an average speed of 80mph - the bikes went better than anticipated and in fact averaged 85mph.
The Evo 80 was the engine that underpinned Harley's resurrection from near bankruptcy.
