Harley-Davidson files patent for a new engine

- Expected to be liquid-cooled engine

- Likely to be featured on Pan America, Custom 1250 and Streetfighter

- Might also replace the current V-twin mills on the existing models

Harley-Davidson has been working extensively towards launching new products over the last few years. While its first production electric bike, the LiveWire, is an epitome of its transformative phase, the company is also expected to soon revamp its combustion motorcycle line-up by introducing new models. Well, for these prospective new motorcycles, the American bikemaker is likely to be working on a new powerplant, if the newly surfaced patent drawings are anything to go by.

Harley-Davidson recently filed a patent with the European Union Intellectual Property Organisation for the design of a new engine.  The powerplant looks similar to the company’s ongoing V-twin motor but carries subtle tweaks in its architecture. This new mill is likely to boast of liquid-cooled mechanism, as opposed to the air-cooled configuration featured on the current Harley-Davidson motorcycles. 

The company is expected to utilise derivatives of this new engine for three of its upcoming models; the Pan America 1250, Custom 1250 and Street Fighter, which were revealed in concept guise in July 2018. Notably, these models were teased with a liquid-cooled motor last year. The reason for the change in the cooling system could be attributed to the emission norms becoming stricter. 

It remains unclear whether this patented engine will be featured only in new motorcycles or will it make its way into a few existing models as well. Harley-Davidson is expected to unveil the production versions of the Pan America 1250 and the Streetfighter sometime next year while the Custom 1250 is likely to follow in the later stage.

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