Otis Chandler "1907" Harley in Fall Issue

[HarleyCreation]

How interesting!

Supposed "1907" Harleys multiplying like rabbits!

I too notice the seller doesn't provide a serial number altho there is a place for one on the ebay site. Strikes me as odd on a machine demanding this much moohla. (Current bid at $85,600 with 8 days to go!)

This claimed "1907" Harley once again shows 1908 features and NOT 1907 features. You can easily see the following from the photos on the ebay site:

1) Filler spout on the tank is situated in the front (1907 had it on the side).

2) Belt tightener gate is longer multi-position 1908 type (not shorter on-off 1907 type).

3) Fenders are 1908 rib type with longer extended front fender (not shorter 1907 type).

4) Tank is definitely rounded (not sharp edge 1907 type).

5) Muffler cutout is present (1907 model had no cutoff).

The BIG question is whether or not this bike is authentic or newly made and spurious. Notice the seller gives no history or background to a very RARE and very EXPENSIVE and very EARLY Harley. He doesn't even say that it's an original or a repop. What gives with that?

As to a serial number, does it even have one? Here's the ebay photo of the pulley side of the crankcase. I can't see any number on the crankcase or the cylinder flange, can you guys see one?

My gut tells me this is a nicely done reproduction of a 1908 model going under the title of a 1907. We have heard such machines are out there. It may well be the pickup truck bike we heard about on a previous post.

Hopefully Earl and others with add their comments.

[HarleyCreation]

Also notice that the ebay seller has hidden the bidders' identities so that they cannot be contacted about this supposed Harley-Davidson motorcycle they are bidding BIG BUCKS for!

I smell a rat....

[Dkgoz]

It appears that there is a number stamped in the case just below the cylinder. I took the photo from eBay and crop it and blew it up. Its hard to read, but the last 3 digits seem to be 015. The first could be a 2 or a 3 or who knows what.

I'l try to attach a copy of the enlarged picture.

Dave

[HarleyCreation]

Originally posted by Dkgoz
It appears that there is a number stamped in the case just below the cylinder. I took the photo from eBay and crop it and blew it up. Its hard to read, but the last 3 digits seem to be 015. The first could be a 2 or a 3 or who knows what.

I'l try to attach a copy of the enlarged picture.

Dave

Excellent job! There does seem to be a serial number on this bike and no mistake. A 1908 number would probably fall between 2000(?) to 2500.

What is interesting to me is the terse description of this bike as "Used."

How ambiguous can you get? Not "Original" not "Restoration" not "Reproduction" but simply "Used."

Gotta wonder who is being "used" in this eBay auction...

Bidding now over $100,000 with SEVEN days yet to go.

Yikes!

[LouieMCman]

Serial number I got from the seller is 20XX.

[HarleyCreation]

Originally posted by LouieMCman
Serial number I got from the seller is 20XX.

Can you give us the entire number?

Thanks.

[LouieMCman]

That's all I got. The rest is a secret I guess.... From Dave's picture the number looks to be 2015 or 2016.

[Chuck#1848]

It looks to be a "6" at the end

[c.o.]

Sure looks like 2016 to me..........Early '08........ I'm leaning toward Herb's thinking on the used thing. I'm thinking it's a resto of some sort in disguise........

[HarleyCreation]

A good "friend" of mine emailed the seller yesterday and asked whether this bike is: 1) Pristine original. 2) Restored original. or: 3) A skillfully fabricated modern reproduction of an early Harley-Davidson.

No reply yet....

Over $115k and 6 days to go!

[LouieMCman]

Before this tread I had no real interest in the early HD's, my earliest being a 1920. But I seem drawn the look for them now.
Here's my latest find, looks to me to be a later model badged as a "1906". Let's hear what the expert have to say about this one....from the AMA web page...here's the link......

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=5

[LouieMCman]

Picture

[LouieMCman]

picture 2

[c.o.]

Well Louie.........Herb and Earl will put you on the right path, but I'm thinking it's '08 or later. Herb's comments above will confirm that. The AMA site is also still following the traditional story on the origins of H-D. I think that it's very historically important to find the truth. Herb's gone a long way to putting everyone on the right track. This thread is absolutely wonderful, I've learned a lot already.........

[Earl]

I've been told that the motor in this machine is an original Harley. Or at least the cases are.

Looking at the motor I count 8 studs holding the crankcases together. I'm not aware of any 1906 period photos showing an 8-stud motor in a 1906 model motorcycle. The earliest period photos that I'm aware of that show an 8-stud motor, have it appear in a 1907 model motorcycle.

Herb may wish to comment on this........

Does ANYONE have any other information to add to this???

We have compared the chassis features of two excellent original Harleys, in Serial # 2037 and Serial # 2042. So we have two known original examples of 1908 motors. If the motor in this "1906" machine could be compared with the two known 1908 motors, that may help date the motor's vintage. If there are definite differences in the castings, then the motor may be from a different model year. These differences probably would not be visible to photograph comparison. I've been told by some, that motors in the 18xx range have some definite differences. So even by knowing the serial number of this original motor, we may be able to give it a probable model year date, but the earliest I think it could be is from 1907.

The chassis of this "1906" machine shows a mix of characteristics; smooth fenders ala 1906, but later 1908 style tank. I think we shouldn't concentrate too much right now on the chassis, since there are so many reproduction pieces around.