Silent Gray Fellow?

[Randall K. Wilson]

During what time period was the concept "Silent Gray Fellow" embraced by the Motor Co?
Does that mean the quieter the machine came passing by the better? Or was it in reference to the quiet internal workings of the engines moving parts?

I know a gent that will not go to Daytona Bike Week because of "to many drag pipes and to many black t-shirts." I once ask this party..."if the attendees wore white t-shirts and had real quiet cycles, then would you go back to Bike Week?" ( I did not get a reply, just a puzzled look )

 

[Breeze3at]

I think the exact time period of S.G.F.'s is murky. The first HD baffle (muffler) was in 1910, I don't know if HD was the industry's 1st muffler. There are pictures of 1912 shipping crates with "the silent gray fellow" stenciled on them. In the early years, Yes the quieter the better. Remember, horses were the main transportation, and noisy gas engines greatly disturbed them. Imagine the chaos on main st. when a backfiring, popping, smoking vehicle caused all the horses to bolt.

 

[jaceddie]

This SBF (silent bald fellow) likes it quiet.

 

[Randall K. Wilson]

This SBF (silent bald fellow) likes it quiet.

As in factory installed official government approved SLICK SHINY whiz bang by golly stock mufflers? :newsmile030:

 

[ultrat]

I thought it was refering to the color of the bike..........:newsmile030:

 

[jaceddie]

:nosad

As in factory installed official government approved SLICK SHINY whiz bang by golly stock mufflers? :newsmile030:

Somebody has to buck the trend and stay mostly stock. :nosad

 

[Fossil]

Harley-Davidson's single cylinder 1908 model was the first to offer a color option other than piano black. It was a Renault gray. Thus the famous, "Silent Gray Fellow" ad. Fossil

 

[joed]

"The F-Twin "Silent Gray Fellow" from 1915 was called that way due to its color and its silent motor."


Harley Davidson History

 

[joed]

Seems to be some disagreement where the term came from.

"The "Silent Gray Fellow" was the 1912 8a aka the silent gray fellow. This bike had one cylinder (35 cu inch (494.28cc)) and had 4.3 horsepower. The total weight of the bike was 111 kg and had a top speed of 50MPH. There were 545 of them built and the price of the bike in 1912 was $225. The bike looked more like a bicycle with a small motor then any bike we know today."

Trivia

 

[joed]

Another story about the SGF. Can't copy and paste. Go to this link and see the top two full paragraphs on the right column.

Harley-Davidson century - Google Books