Harley-Davidson models. In the late summer of 1929, Harley-Davidson introduced its 45 cubic inches (737 cm³) flathead V-Twin to compete with the Indian 101 Scout and the Excelsior Super X. This was the "D" model, produced from 1929 to 1931. Riders of Indian motorcycles derisively referred to this model as the "three cylinder Harley" because the generator was upright and parallel to the front cylinder. The Great Depression began a few months after the introduction of their 45 cubic inch (737 cm³) model. Harley-Davidson's sales fell from 21,000 in 1929 to 3,703 in 1933. Despite this, Harley-Davidson unveiled a new lineup
Harley-Davidson RL 45 one of only two American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Depression. Influenced by the way in which the automobile industry had used Art Deco stylings, Harley featured a stylised Art Deco style image on the motorcycle's fuel tank. Harley offered a competition-bred RLDR 45, and also produced a three-wheel Servi-Car (or 'Service-Car') model. Prior to the Second World War, Harley's RL Sports model and Servi-Car were produced in Japan under license to the company Rikuo (Rikuo Internal Combustion Company) Production continued until 1958. A red 1934 RL45 was owned by Hollywood star Clark Gable. Harley-Davidson RL 45 The Harley-Davidson RL