* Harley-Davidson Inc. reported an 85% surge...

* Harley-Davidson Inc. reported an 85% surge in quarterly profit, saying motorcycle sales in the United States were unharmed by the recession.

The nation’s only motorcycle manufacturer, which is based in Milwaukee, said net income rose to $7.2 million, or 41 cents a share, in the fourth quarter from $3.9 million, or 22 cents per share, a year earlier.

Sales advanced more than 22% to $237.7 million from $194.3 million.

For 1991 as a whole, Harley-Davidson’s net income fell to $36.97 million, or $2.08 a share, from $37.83 million, or $2.12 per share, a year earlier.

The company attributed the flagging performance to a two-week strike in the first quarter and start-up costs at a new paint plant in York, Pa.