Harley Sport Model book

[Tommo]

In 1997 Woody Carson for the AMCA and Peter Jones for the CSMA (Civil Service Motoring Association) put together a Register of Sport Twin motorcycles.
They were trying to locate one particular bike that had particular significance to the CSMA.
Most of the contents of the book contain details that are best kept away from public viewing but the summary page may be of interest here.
I'll post the book cover and the summary page. Sport Twin register 10001.jpgSport Twin register 20001.jpg

[Tommo]

Steve,
My e-mail is p.j.thomson@actrix.co.nz and yes I'll have a read of it for you if that's what you want.

[Tommo]

Woody Carson also sent me a photocopy of a booklet titled "The Harley-Davidson Sport Model, Boss of the Solo Mounts" and on the back page in the bottom left hand corner is "The Factory Book of the Harley-Davidson Sport Model".
Someone must have an original copy and I would imagine it would be in colour which would be impressive.
Publication is obviously for the 1920 model year and describes the bike over 8 pages as seen below P1.jpgP2.jpgP3.jpgP4.jpg .

[Tommo]

P5.jpgP6.jpgP7.jpgP8.jpg

[Tom Wilcock]

Leon Landry an old time Harley dealer originally from Mass. and later from Florida and had a Sport Model which is now in the HD Museum told me that 1920 models used the shield type tank decal.
Tom.

[Tom Wilcock]

Thanks for the help Tommo. Here is another attempt at posting pictures of 3 frame variations I have found. The first is early 1919. The second is later in1919 and the third is probably 1920 and later. A better picture of the different seat post tube to under tank tube forging could be obtained from a bare frame if anyone has one.
The rear fender carrier for the electric model does not have the holes for the attachment of the rear cross strap on the carrier because the toolbox is mounted there.
Tom

[Tommo]

Tom as far as the shield type tank transfer goes I'm with you on that but the June "Enthusiast" Rubone posted puts serious doubt on that.
Was that article just some pre-release hype or was the Electric model with the Script transfer on the tank released for sale during the middle of the 1920 model year run,
This is why I would like to see some photographic, dated proof from mid year "Enthusiast" magazines showing the script style transfer on bikes being ridden by the general public.
Does anybody out there have dated evidence that can help resolve this question?

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Tommo, I would very much like a copy of that 1920 8 page Sport brochure. Does anybody have one?

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Tommo, on the tank decal, Jerry Hatfield reports on p48 of Inside Harley-Davidson for the 1921 models that 'The Sport model tank trim was now like the big twin, with the Harley-Davidson name but without the decorative shield previously used'. This could of course have been made as a running change. He also notes on p49 for 1922 that the big twins went to the Brewster Green finish but the Sports remained in Olive.

[Tommo]

If you go back quite some way on this forum you should be able to find extensive discussion and photos on this subject when Denis McCsrthy was restoring the Barber museum bike.
The tank transfer issue was not resolved then and it is still open for discussion now.
Louie (sorry I don't know the surname) was sure the script style transfer was correct for 1920 and I, among others, didn't think so.
There has always been doubt and now Rubone has added fuel to the fire with that June 1920 "Enthusiast"
What is needed is photos that are from a dated source that show bikes being used with the script style transfer in a period of say between February and July 1920.
Photos from modern publications are not much use unless they have proof of the date of when they were taken and to whom they are attributed to.
My personal opinion is that the most likely source of the answer will come from the "Enthusiast" or period American motorcycle magazines of the time and I have none of that in my collection.

[Tom Wilcock]

In "The Harley-Davidson Sport Model, Boss of The Solo Mounts" It shows a bike with the shield decal and fender skirts. I thought that 1919 models had open front fenders and the skirts were added for 1920. It could have been a running change though.
Tom

[Rubone]

Here's one for you, July 1920 Enthusiast.
First shows the event and date (New Jersey Run), second is the name and associated photo, third is a blow-up of the photo. Sport model emblem.jpgSport model emblem 2.jpgSport model emblem 3.jpg

[Tommo]

That's fantastic Rubone and thanks very much for going to the trouble of doing that as it is exactly the sort of proof that is needed and we can now say that the script style of tank transfer was being used on 1920 models by at least May 1920.
The bike looks used and not like it's straight out of the showroom so it would be fair to say a date prior to May is very likely.
What this does raise is the possibility that maybe the release photos showing 1920 bikes with the shield transfer are just that "release photos" and the production bikes had the script transfer.
Any photos earlier than May Rubone?

[Tom Wilcock]

The early tanks had flanged threaded inserts installed from the inside for the top frame clamp and shifter gate. Later ones were installed from the outside and a reinforcement plate was used on the left side to which the inserts to accommodate the left frame clamp and shifter gate were part of the plate.
Tom

[Rubone]

H-D Sport Model Book.jpgH-D Sport Model Lubrication left.jpgH-D Sport Model Lubrication right.jpg