1956
Harley-Davidson Model KH - Specifications & Review

Article Complete Info
| Articleid | 722360 |
|---|---|
| Category | Allround |
| Make | Harley-Davidson |
| Model | Model KH |
| Year | 1956 |
Chassis, Suspension, Brakes & Wheels
| Frametype | Steel single downtube |
|---|---|
| Frontbrakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Frontsuspension | Hydraulic telescopic fork |
| Fronttyre | 3.25-19 |
| Rearbrakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rearsuspension | Swing-arm, twin hydraulic shocks |
| Reartyre | 3.25-19 |
| Wheels | Wire spoked |
Engine & Transmission
| Coolingsystem | Air |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 833.00 ccm (50.83 cubic inches) |
| Enginedetails | V2, four-stroke |
| Enginetype | Flathead 45 degree engine |
| Fuelsystem | Carburettor |
| Gearbox | 4-speed |
| Power | 38.00 HP (27.7 kW)) @ 5200 RPM |
| Topspeed | 152.9 km/h (95.0 mph) |
| Transmissiontypefinaldrive | Chain |
Other Specifications
| Electrical | 6 Volt |
|---|---|
| Starter | Kick |
Physical Measures & Capacities
| Dryweight | 181.4 kg (400.0 pounds) |
|---|---|
| Fuelcapacity | 17.00 litres (4.49 gallons) |
| Oilcapacity | 2.80 litres (0.18 quarts) |
| Powerweightratio | 0.2094 HP/kg |
About Harley-Davidson
Country of Origin:
United States
Founder:
William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson, William A. Davidson
Best Known For:
V-twin cruisers, touring icons, H-D culture; also LiveWire electric spinoff
Company History
Founded in Milwaukee in 1903, Harley-Davidson grew from backyard shed to global symbol. Early board-trackers and military machines proved durability; postwar big twins defined American road culture with a cadence and silhouette that became shorthand for freedom. The company professionalized long-distance comfort—Electra Glide fairings, air shocks, and later sophisticated infotainment—while keeping a mechanical identity built on a 45° V-twin heartbeat. Harley also navigated reinvention: the Evolution engine restored reliability in the 1980s; rubber mounting tamed vibes; and fuel injection, ABS, and ride-by-wire brought modernity. The brand’s culture—H.O.G. rides, dealer events, customization—turns ownership into community. Recent decades saw expansion into liquid-cooled performance (Revolution X) and true adventure/sport segments (Pan America, Sportster S), while LiveWire broke ground in electric motorcycling. Historically, Harley’s significance extends beyond machines: it’s a maker of rituals and myth, exporting an American idea of the open road. The tension between heritage and innovation defines each new model year, but the throughline is tactile connection—torque-rich roll-on, slow idle, and a sense that the bike has a pulse.
