The Legend Begins, book

[exeric]

I have a chance to buy 'The Legend Begins' book. It's pricey but I don't mind spending money on literature because that is something that always pays back in enjoyment. Just curious if fellow members like, and value the book.

[Rubone]

It is somewhat useful, but a lot of it is poorly researched and pictures that are copies of copies. I've had mine since they first came out because back then there wasn't much for research material. It is a factory publication so some dealers may have a copy or two kicking around. See if you can find an old stock one. I wouldn't pay collector price for one.

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[exeric]

Thanks, Robbie. I know you are a savvy collector of ancient, vintage, and current motorcycle literature so I appreciate your opinion. I've seen that book quoted a number of times and would like to have a copy for myself. It's always nice to have something (old) new to read.

[BoschZEV]

I've obsessively collected motorcycle books and magazines for over 60 years, the result of which is I have over 90% of all English-language motorcycle books published since 1896. The 29-page Bibliography at the back of the Guggenheim's 1998 'The Art of the Motorcycle' catalog was easy for me to create, since it is simply a list of the major books I had in my library at the time.

Getting to the point, more recently my fellow Guggenheim co-curator, Ultan Guilfoyle, and I curated the 2020–2021 'The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire' for the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art. In creating the catalog for that exhibition, sold under the same name on Amazon, we decided under each entry we also wanted to list the same minimum set of facts for each machine (year of the particular machine in the exhibition, country, years that model was manufactured, capacity, engine type (e.g. OHV 45° V-twin), h.p., and manufacturer). Despite the number of Harley-Davidson books in my library, H-D machines were by far the hardest to determine these few simple facts.

HDbooks.jpg
For many obscure brands, one book sufficed to determine all the information we needed. In contrast, every Harley-Davidson required lengthy, frustrating time to go through numerous books to arrive at the actual facts. Facts, as opposed to "information" the authors had seemingly pulled out of the air.

[jim d]

I have probably have around 300 motorcycle related books including that one. Not a bad book with some good reference material in it that I refer to occasionally. I don’t think I would pay some of the eBay prices though. I would be more interested in the $75 range or less. A dealer should be able to do a search as Robbie say. Or just save it on a eBay search and wait for one to come along at a reasonable price.

[sw48]

I think it's a nice reference book but the eBay prices seem ridiculous.

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Eric, the book came out in 1993 and I must have then bought my copy new from a Harley dealer for around $45. There is no ISBN. Most interesting for me is estimated production numbers by model by year up to 1965, plus dealer order sheets with retail and wholesale prices for most of those years.

[droptopford]

In the back of that book is a section with Production Figures that were unofficially compiled by an unnamed Harley Davison employee. The way the various models are listed has led many a neophyte Panhead owner into believing his FLH is a super rare treasure!.

[Chris Haynes]

I bought mine directly from The Hartley-Davidson Service Department at the Factory. A phone call will let you know if it is still available.

[JoJo357]

*M.A.D.*


Contact Us <----Harley Davidson Motor Company. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

[Speeding Big Twin]

I bought The Legend Begins new many years ago but I can’t recall the price. It contains some good info but several things are intriguing to say the least. For example here’s the intro and you’ll notice mention of documenting motorcycles beginning with '1903’ and continuing through 1969.







A few pages later the book says three 1903 models were produced in the first year’s run. I don't think so.

As mentioned on the intro page, order blanks for some years were not available. Many were though and I’ve used them for reference many times over the years. Order blanks in the book are for 1913–17, 1920–40, 1942 and 1944–57. However, some years only have one page of the order blank because the other page was not available in the archives.

Also some years such as 1949 had more than one order blank but only one is in the book. The 49 blank with a check box for a Big Twin OHV with spring fork is not included but I can post a copy if you wish.

For 1958–69 the book has no order blanks but instead has lists of equipment groups.

According to Bruce Palmer the records in Legend were compiled by Midge Kimbell, William H Davidson’s secretary of many years, shortly before her retirement. But when Palmer spoke to her later she could not remember which way the numbers were counted. Page 198 indicates pages 199 and up contain model year info and it also says the first section contains known production figures. But Palmer questions if said production figures were based on calendar year or fiscal year.

What Kimbell did make clear (according to Palmer) was that the numbers were based on only the records that could be found and that some were missing. Also that the list was made as a quick project and that the numbers were not double checked.

When referring to pages 199 and up page 198 also says: ‘We are passing this information along to our enthusiasts as a matter of interest, and it is not to be regarded as totally accurate.’

And it’s no wonder the book admits that. For example page 204 lists two amounts of WLAs for 1942 with one amount being 13051 while the other amount is 13460. Page 205 says one XL for 1956. Page 206 lists no Servi-Cars for 1963. Et cetera.

But to this day you’ll find people quoting Legend production figures as if they were correct when in fact they cannot be relied upon and they may be used as a guide only.
Eric

[Steve Slocombe]

Yes the book follows Harley orthodoxy about very early production numbers, and double counts much of the WW2 production. But still an interesting guide. If we're nitpicking it shows no KR production for 1960-62 and 1,276 45s for 1962 which is presumably a misprint for the new Sprint model.

[Rubone]

I bought The Legend Begins new many years ago but I can’t recall the price. It contains some good info but several things are intriguing to say the least. For example here’s the intro and you’ll notice mention of documenting motorcycles beginning with '1903’ and continuing through 1969.







A few pages later the book says three 1903 models were produced in the first year’s run. I don't think so.

As mentioned on the intro page, order blanks for some years were not available. Many were though and I’ve used them for reference many times over the years. Order blanks in the book are for 1913–17, 1920–40, 1942 and 1944–57. However, some years only have one page of the order blank because the other page was not available in the archives.

Also some years such as 1949 had more than one order blank but only one is in the book. The 49 blank with a check box for a Big Twin OHV with spring fork is not included but I can post a copy if you wish.

For 1958–69 the book has no order blanks but instead has lists of equipment groups.

According to Bruce Palmer the records in Legend were compiled by Midge Kimbell, William H Davidson’s secretary of many years, shortly before her retirement. But when Palmer spoke to her later she could not remember which way the numbers were counted. Page 198 indicates pages 199 and up contain model year info and it also says the first section contains known production figures. But Palmer questions if said production figures were based on calendar year or fiscal year.

What Kimbell did make clear (according to Palmer) was that the numbers were based on only the records that could be found and that some were missing. Also that the list was made as a quick project and that the numbers were not double checked.

When referring to pages 199 and up page 198 also says: ‘We are passing this information along to our enthusiasts as a matter of interest, and it is not to be regarded as totally accurate.’

And it’s no wonder the book admits that. For example page 204 lists two amounts of WLAs for 1942 with one amount being 13051 while the other amount is 13460. Page 205 says one XL for 1956. Page 206 lists no Servi-Cars for 1963. Et cetera.

But to this day you’ll find people quoting Legend production figures as if they were correct when in fact they cannot be relied upon and they may be used as a guide only.
Eric

Many years had more than one order blank, some were revisions, some had dealer pricing listed, some only retail, some were special colors, some were special models, etc. They miss basically all of them including some during the war that do indeed exist (at least in my collection).
No order blank was printed after '57 except a generic sheet with no bikes shown. The new for '58 dealer order booklets had all the models and options listed and the codes were entered on the generic form. I have most of the booklets but not all.
As for origin of the company, that info has been lied about for so long they believe it themselves!

[exeric]

I got a copy of "The Legend Begins". I'm pleased with it, paid a bit more than others recommended but glad to have the reference. No regrets, and glad to have it. I appreciate everyone that gave their insight, and critiques.