Vintage Pics of the Day

[Jim]

Cotten, your photo was backwards... so, here ya go! I can't figure out what the tires used to say. I don't think they are Non Skid tires... do you know?

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[T. Cotten]

I liked her better the other way, Jim!

And I don't even know what model it is.

Another charmer...
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.....Cotten

[Jim]

I liked her better the other way, Jim!

And I don't even know what model it is.

.....Cotten

Early 20s Harley-Davidson J from what I can tell... although, I'm NO EXPERT on those model years.

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Jim, 3121 does not have pedals, so after 1915, likewise the flat front mudguard stays. It does not have the 1920 front mudguard top side valances so earlier than that. You can see it is a twin and an electrical model with the tool box on top of the tank, so a 1916-19 Harley FD model is as close as I can get. The lady's dress and no headlight glass suggests the picture was taken later.

[BigLakeBob]

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[exeric]

Dear Jim, 3121 does not have pedals, so after 1915, likewise the flat front mudguard stays. It does not have the 1920 front mudguard top side valances so earlier than that. You can see it is a twin and an electrical model with the tool box on top of the tank, so a 1916-19 Harley FD model is as close as I can get. The lady's dress and no headlight glass suggests the picture was taken later.

I'm going to say 1917, Steve. It has the post '15-'16 wide frame in the seat post area, later seat suspension, electrical unit, and pre-'18 primary cover. As you said, the picture looks to be from the 1920s so parts could have been added, or removed. The girl looks like a '20s 'Flapper'. Love the picture.

[T. Cotten]

... The girl looks like a '20s 'Flapper'....

And that could be a raccoon coat, Eric!

(Good thing I didn't guess at the model..)

Meanwhile,
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....Cotten

[BigLakeBob]

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[Jim]

Dear Jim, 3121 does not have pedals, so after 1915, likewise the flat front mudguard stays. It does not have the 1920 front mudguard top side valances so earlier than that. You can see it is a twin and an electrical model with the tool box on top of the tank, so a 1916-19 Harley FD model is as close as I can get. The lady's dress and no headlight glass suggests the picture was taken later.

Thanks Steve and Eric.... I came to that conclusion just based on a Google of early 20s H-Ds... I didn't think to look earlier. My hats off to ALL you guys that "Know your stuff"!

[BigLakeBob]

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[duffeycycles]

Eric,I think that early primary cover was also used in 1918.Steve's book & others show it on some 1919s as well.I thought it changed in 1918.

[exeric]

You're correct Duffey, that primary went later. H-D details get foggy for me when I'm working on an Indian

[Steve Slocombe]

Wow guys you're really getting into it. Can I just see a shallow cut-out in the top of the primary cover making room for the longer 1918/19 Remy 235 generator fitted to electrical models? The stepped primary cover ended in 1919, with the domed one given a 1920 part number, although we have a very late original paint European '19 with the domed cover. It also looks like the handlebars are painted rather than nickel, another running change made during the 1917-19 models made for the military.

[Steve Swan]

Wow guys you're really getting into it. Can I just see a shallow cut-out in the top of the primary cover making room for the longer 1918/19 Remy 235 generator fitted to electrical models? The stepped primary cover ended in 1919, with the domed one given a 1920 part number, although we have a very late original paint European '19 with the domed cover. It also looks like the handlebars are painted rather than nickel, another running change made during the 1917-19 models made for the military.

There were quite a number of running changes made on late '27 and also the 28 bikes. i have been looking closely at pics of o.p. unmolested bikes and have unearthed a few that i would imagine would blow up conventional beliefs about details that make a '27 "correct." a good case example is this 784 mile example of a '27 JD with documented history, 27JD13443, which has, for starters, a '28 frame and a '28 timer body and timer cover. these 2 details can be seen correspondingly at 1:49 and 2:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS7m...cles%26More%21

as an amazing little side note, some years b4 this machine came to light, as i purchase anything i can related to bikes i'm interested in, i purchased this warranty card off feebay and imagine my utter amazement when i realized the engine number on this '27 was the same as the number on the card i purchased...

Also, this "off the shelf" factory museum featured late '27 machine shares the same aforementioned features https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=759594858338388

1927JD...13443 Warranty Card.jpg1927JD.13443 Warranty Card.jpg1927JD..13443.jpg

[BigLakeBob]

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