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Sept. 15, 1937. "Although she weighs only 88 pounds -- one-third of the machine she rides -- Mrs. Sally Halterman is the first woman to be granted a license to operate a motorcycle in the District of Columbia. She is 27 years old and 4 feet, 11 inches tall. Immediately after receiving her permit, Mrs. Halterman was initiated into the D.C. Motorcycle Club -- the only girl ever to be accorded this honor." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size.
I learned to ride a "Big Bike" in 1965 -- my buddy's 1939 Harley 61. At 150lbs I was not much of a match for the 550lb mount, but I never dumped it.
A kick starter and manual spark advance (to keep one from a sprained leg), 3-speed tank shift (and no syncro tranny) which required a 'double-clutch' to keep from a grind.
I became friends with a man in his 80s when I was still in my 20s. He rode Harleys on a board track testing instruments for Stewart-Warner. He told me about woman riders on the track riding 24 hours, and more.
Sally had good company. I ride my 1980 GoldWing with pride at 35 years on the bike.
A V series Harley Davidson weighed about 530 pounds, six times the weight of Sally
At approximately 700 pounds, the rule of thumb for Harleys today is for their riders to weigh about half as much.
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