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The son of Harley-Davidson Motor Company cofounder William A. Davidson (1905–1992); he served as the company’s president for 29 years and raced on their behalf, winning the prestigious Jack Pine Trophy in 1929. TLS signed “Wm. H. Davidson,” two pages, 8.25 x 11, Harley-Davidson Motor Co. letterhead, March 30, 1933. Letter to L. B. Jones of Maywood, Illinois, in full: “In answer to your letter of March 23, we advise you we have already sent pictures which we hope will be suitable for newspaper reproduction. Please keep us posted on developments on your May 21 hill climb and let us know if we can be of any help in any way.
You asked for a history of hillclimbing. We have nothing definite to offer in this connection as we have never compiled historical statistics or other details on motorcycle hill climbing. However, you can easily draw up an interesting history, starting from the point where stock motorcycles were used on ordinary highway hills in the days of deep ruts and not very good gravel roads. Then followed the early development of our present hillclimbing when riders on stock machines tried them out on hills somewhat as we now do, but, of course, the hills were not nearly so steep. The next step in the progress of hillclimbing came about when riders began to strip off fenders, headlights and other parts to lighten up the motorcycles and also to prevent damage in spills. Finally, came a time when the motorcycle factories themselves began to build special hillclimbing motorcycles designed specifically for that sport alone.
With these special machines with their increased horsepower came the need to find steeper and longer hills. Also the professional riders came to the front, necessitating a different division in order for the private owners to still compete in hillclimbs and have a chance to win. The A and B rider classes were established with the more experienced riders competing with each other in the A class and the newer riders in the B class. Now the A.M.A. has just organized a third division to be known as class C, primarily to give the private owner every opportunity to compete in his own class in hillclimbing and other events. If you will refer to page 17 of the April Enthusiast, you will find the new class C competition group explained.
The above brief outline will possibly give you a few ideas on the historical highlights on hillclimbing and undoubtedly from your own observation of the hillclimbs that you have witnessed you can add enough to make up a little story. It may be interesting to mention a few names of the hillclimbing pioneers. They include John Grove, Orrie Steele, Dudley Perkins and others. If you should want other details, please get in touch with us and we will help out as much as we can.” In fine condition.
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