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Historical World War I PHOTO: Harley Davidson Motorcycle with Mounted Machine-Gun

Retronaut ^ | (est. 1917) World War I | Retronaut

Posted on by DogByte6RER

In 1917, the United States entered World War I and the military demanded motorcycles for the war effort. Harleys had already been used by the military in the Pancho Villa Expedition, but World War I was the first time the motorcycle had been adopted for combat service. Harley-Davidson provided about 15,000 machines to the military forces during World War I.

- Wikipedia


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American made motorcycles with mounted machine-guns ... very bad@ss.


To: DogByte6RER

A Harley V-twin with a Hotchkiss 8mm machinegun - now THAT's a man's machine!


by 2 posted onby Chainmail (A simple rule of life: if you can be blamed, you're responsible.)

To: DogByte6RER

Two cycles in this picture? Or one with two front wheels?


To: DogByte6RER

finally! a way to get that parking place at Costco!


To: DogByte6RER

Is that a Stealth WWI plane in the upper left?


by 5 posted onby bgill (This reply was mined before it was posted.)

To: DogByte6RER

Look Twice for Motorcycles...Or Else!


To: bgill

Yes it is. The mounted Ipad was washed out of the photo but they forgot the plane.


by 7 posted onby MaxMax (If you're not pissed off, you're not paying attention)

To: DogByte6RER

Unless there's a sidecar it's mounted on(that I can't see), I don't see this as being very practicable. And must have been a b#stard to drive it. Nope don't see it.


To: RedMonqey


There was also an ambulance version:


There is, just obscured by the bike and soldiers:There was also an ambulance version:

To: DogByte6RER

This looks like it might be the flip side of the setup:


by 10 posted onby PLMerite (Shut the Beyotch Down! Burn, baby, burn!)

To: DogByte6RER

They ought to reintroduce them. Might just put some pep in HD sales.


To: DogByte6RER

Sure beats trying to fire it from horseback. What's next? Mounting them from aeroplanes?


To: 1rudeboy

Two cycles in this picture?


Found same pic with slightly different angle.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPVYkHmZqXU/UQNI-5NpTiI/AAAAAAAAFnE/SSTApfcJWy4/s1600/HarleyDemo-WWI.jpg


Sorry, dunno how to post pix/ With weight of at least quarter inch steel plate in addition of machine gun/ammo/gunner/rider) this motorcycle had the offensive mobility of a washing machine on wheels...


To: PLMerite

With armor in place... If you don't have a Harley for your Hotchkiss, use your bicycle...


To: tanknetter

Thanx I was away looking for better pictures and looks like you FOUND them. lol


To: RedMonqey

Not to mention, look at the guy sitting on the rear to keep it from recoiling . . . .


To: Sasparilla

What's next? Mounting them from aeroplanes?


Man will NEVER achieve heavier than air flight.(rolls eyes)


The future is in Zepplin stocks...


To: ProtectOurFreedom

I'm sure that set-up was good for morale. "Here's some armor for you, gunner . . . yeah, driver . . . about that . . . ."


To: 1rudeboy

Fur suuurrr....


