<P> To simplify the engine and reduce costs, the V - twin ignition was designed to operate with a single set of points and no distributor . This is known as a dual fire ignition system, causing both spark plugs to fire regardless of which cylinder was on its compression stroke, with the other spark plug firing on its cylinder's exhaust stroke, effectively "wasting a spark". The exhaust note is basically a throaty growling sound with some popping . The 45 ° design of the engine thus creates a plug firing sequencing as such: The first cylinder fires, the second (rear) cylinder fires 315 ° later, then there is a 405 ° gap until the first cylinder fires again, giving the engine its unique sound . </P> <P> Harley - Davidson has used various ignition systems throughout its history--be it the early points and condenser system, (Big Twin up to 1978 and Sportsters up to 1978), magneto ignition system used on some 1958 to 1969 Sportsters, early electronic with centrifugal mechanical advance weights, (all models 1978 and a half to 1979), or the late electronic with transistorized ignition control module, more familiarly known as the black box or the brain, (all models 1980 to present). </P> <P> Starting in 1995, the company introduced Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) as an option for the 30th anniversary edition Electra Glide . EFI became standard on all Harley - Davidson motorcycles, including Sportsters, upon the introduction of the 2007 product line . </P> <P> In 1991, Harley - Davidson began to participate in the Sound Quality Working Group, founded by Orfield Labs, Bruel and Kjaer, TEAC, Yamaha, Sennheiser, SMS and Cortex . This was the nation's first group to share research on psychological acoustics . Later that year, Harley - Davidson participated in a series of sound quality studies at Orfield Labs, based on recordings taken at the Talladega Superspeedway, with the objective to lower the sound level for EU standards while analytically capturing the "Harley Sound". This research resulted in the bikes that were introduced in compliance with EU standards for 1998 . </P>

What was the first year harley davidson has fuel injection