`Harley-Davidson Sound' Is Topic of Keynote Speech

TROY, Mich., March 24 -- Deane B. Jaeger, Manager of Sound and Vibration Technology for Harley-Davidson, will address a meeting of the Society of Automotive Engineers at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan, May 5 - 8. The SAE Noise and Vibration Conference and Exhibition is the premier event for passenger vehicle noise and vibration practitioners in the world, and is expected to attract over 1,700 engineers and technical managers from around the world to northern Michigan.

Jaeger will give a presentation to the assembly on "The Acoustical History of Harley-Davidson" at noon on Wednesday, May 7. The historical review of Harley-Davidson will include a look at a long line of air-cooled V-Twin engines. Starting with the first V-Twin in 1909 and progressing through the years with the Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, and Blockhead designs. Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 and this year is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Over the past century the sound of a Harley has been refined, but remains relatively unchanged as it represents the heart and soul of an American icon.

A tremendous amount of engineering has been required to achieve the distinctive Harley sound while meeting ever tightening environmental noise regulations, increasing customer sound quality expectations and community noise requirements. Mr. Jaeger will share some of the "secrets" of establishing and maintaining a truly trademarked sound.

In addition to 42 technical sessions and three keynote speakers, the 10th annual SAE Noise and Vibration event includes an exhibit containing displays from 120 companies, more than a dozen SAE Professional Development seminars, an acoustical materials workshop, and a Monday golf outing to benefit the SAE Foundation's Ralph K. Hillquist Scholarship.

Motor vehicle noise and vibration engineers and technical practitioners evaluate all measurements related to chassis, body, and interior construction in order to reduce levels of squeak, rattle, wind noise, brake noise and vibration, powertrain noise and vibration, and environmental noise in today's vehicles. Sessions will cover all aspects of measurement, materials application, and construction related to vehicle noise and vibration.

Registration fees for SAE members are $320 for all four days. Nonmember fees are $420.

Detailed information on all of the SAE Noise and Vibration Conference and Exhibition and related activities can be found on the SAE website at http://www.sae.org/calendar/nvc or by calling the SAE Customer service team at 724/776-4970.

SAE is a non-profit engineering and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of mobility technology to better serve humanity. Nearly 84,000 engineers and scientists who are SAE members develop technical information on all forms of self-propelled vehicles, including automobiles, aircraft, aerospace craft, trucks, buses, marine, rail and transit machinery. This information is disseminated through SAE meetings, books, electronic products and databases, technical papers, standards, reports, and professional development programs.