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tina_the_fat_llama t1_iu16ngp wrote

Reply to comment by From_Deep_Space in Harley-Davidson Model 1, the first motorcycle ever produced by the motorcycle company. by swizchaksih74

They tried to patent it but I believe they were not successful. And it's not the loud sound, it was the unique sounds from the firing order that's unique to their v-twins. New Harley's sound like sewing machines, but most people change their exhausts.

Their unique sound is what helps sells their bikes so it's why they go out of their way to make sure their motorcycles have it.

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ScottRiqui t1_iu2nkrj wrote

It was a trademark application, not a patent application; Harley-Davidson claimed that the sound made by their engines was distinctive enough to act as a "source identifier" to consumers.

A bunch of other manufacturers filed oppositions to the filing, basically pointing out "Hey, we also make large-displacement, common-crankpin 45-degree engines and guess what - they sound just like yours."

H-D gave up after 6 years and some litigation, but they probably wouldn't have been successful anyway - you can't trademark *functional* aspects of a design, and the "Harley" sound just comes from the mechanical characteristics of the engine.

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