http://youtube.com/watch?v=mECux9IDud4&feature=related
JUST YOUR AVERAGE NITRO HARLEY



John Mancuso became IHRA's first Nitro Harley season champion in 1998 with his mid-six-second H-D. (Jeff Burk photo)

A brief conversation with former IHRA Nitro Harley World Champ John Mancuso revealed what constitutes the modern Nitro Harley motorcycle. Mancuso, with the exception of elapsed times and speeds, delivered the information on what he thought was the average make-up of one of these IHRA beasts.

In general, the wheelbase is 90 inches with the Harley engine ranging in size from 157 cubic inches to 175, the 700+ horsepower brought to earth by high gear only or a two-speed transmision. The nitro fuel floats right around 96% and the rear-tire size is 14x31.

Mancuso stated that the bikes are hauling ass, even at the half-way mark. His best eighth-mile elapsed time is a 4.17 at 178-mph with his best quarter-mile elapsed time being a sport's best 6.41. His teammate, Steve Stordeur, has the class' second best elapsed time with a 6.42.

There are pro Harley chassis builders. Mancuso and Stordeur's bikes were built by John Storace's Weekend Frame Company in Mineola, Texas. He also said that Bill Furr's Orangeburg Cycle in South Carolina will build you a turnkey Top Fuel Harley as will Race Visions in Buffalo, New York. - Chris Martin