1940s LAPD POLICE MOTORCYLE PATROLMAN RECRUITMENT FILM HARLEY DAVIDSON PANHEAD MOTORCYCLE 54074

Added by hydra74 » Tue Jan 21, 2020 4:40 pm


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The Los Angeles Police Department presents “Your Traffic Officer,” a late 1940s black-and-white training film that shows what it takes to be a motorcycle patrolman on the new freeways in post-World War II California. Six people lost their lives on a “modern highway” in the past year (probably the 110 Freeway) the narrator explains at the film commences. The efficient execution of traffic regulations is key to keeping the roads safe. A motorcycle officer zooms across the screen (mark 00:53) as the narrator explains how a well-trained officer can make the difficult job look easy, and are offered the position only after passing physical and educational requirements. Mark 01:45 takes the viewer to a training class as instructors are shown teaching “the safe way to ride.” The training film offers detailed information on each part of the motorcycle, from carburetor to siren. Trainees are shown how to run the engine and operator the speedometer (mark 04:50), as well as how to operate the front and rear wheel brakes. Each element is put together starting at mark 05:30 as the training officer starts his engine, and then shown how they operate together on the road (mark 06:37). New recruits are encouraged to also learn from veterans as part of their on-the-job training (mark 07:45) “and learn your job by doing,” we are told.

The motorcycle shown at 1:29 appears to be a Harley 74 cubic inch panhead. This was the sport bike of its time as it featured overhead valves instead of a flathead. It was 1200 cc or 74 cubic inches with a 3 speed transmission. It had no rear suspension in those years unlike the Indian Chiefs. They had six volt systems unlike todays 12 volts. Supposedly they were not preferred by police as the indian motorcycle could be set up having the accelerator on the left, freeing up the gun hand. Their top speed was around 89 mph but could be modified to go faster later on, but on the roads of the day that was much faster than any car of the times could maintain. They ran a chain in both the primary and final drive and had an oil piston under the seat for comfort.

Although the Knucklehead was one of Harley's crowning achievements, by the mid 1940's the Big-Twin was in need of an update. Harley engineers updated the Knuck's upper-end with aluminum heads which reduced operating temperatures, and added hydraulic valve lifters which reduced engine noise. The new heads were topped off by redesigned rocker covers which resembled upside-down roasting pans, prompting the nickname "Panhead."

The V-twin engine displaced 73.73 cubic-inches (advertised as 74ci), which was derived from a 3.44" x 4" bore and stroke. With 7:1 compression ratio, 50 horsepower was produced at 4,800 rpm. The bottom end was basically unchanged, but the engine cases were modified for the new cylinders, and a new camshaft was designed for the new valve system.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com

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Added by: hydra74
Total videos: 9 (Show all)
Views: 10793
Duration: 08:28

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