'27 JD Cut Down Project - SWAN

[Steve Swan]

Thank you for your kind words, Eric! yes, i am in the early beginning stage of planning building a 30x25 addition to existing garage for my shop, if i'm lucky will be ready to move into before snow flies... just went through a move to a different home, with a bit of remodel, so i hope to dismantle and paint this coming winter. the color scheme i'm planning for would be the Silent Grey Fellow colors, with dark blue and maroon stripes. i'm also going to switch to a 4-speed transmission. Frank is faithful. Nearly always starts first kick and it's confidence inspiring to have the Carrillo rods, new flywheels, pistons, electronic ignition, etc. i really do want to take at least an overnight or two trip, it would be fun to get out 300-400 miles, stay a couple days some place and then make the return trip home. i would really like to have a riding partner to do that with!

[exeric]

The other thing I was going to say is; I am jealous, and envious of having such a gorgeous antique bike that runs on command, and takes you to such beautiful places. All I can say is grab every moment.

[exeric]

Your JD looks fantastic, Steve. I like the correct headlight, and mounting. Do you have paint plans for it?

[Steve Swan]

Frank took me for an 11 mile ride this afternoon; he now has 925 miles on the clock. And a new look; repro headlight from ww-80 and an original "upside down" Sparton horn.

[Steve Swan]

So good to see and update from you, and your J Harley, Steve. It's wonderful to have a motorcycle that is comfortable, predictable, and settled in. Your planned changes sound like a good idea, and will keep the love affair going. Thanks for the pictures, and the update.

Thanks Eric, i appreciate hearing from you! i appreciate your observation about the bike being settled in. Frank really has had no "teething" problems but then of course i wasn't as much of a learning curve as i was when i began restoration of my first '27... (: I can't be sure how i will like the little Sparton horn until i have it installed, but the idea of having and hearing the delightful sound these old motor horns make is wonderful. Once i have the horn in place, i'll post pictures. i have all the horn and headlight mounting parts, so we'll see. I am toying with the idea of going with a repro "original" headlight, but will go with the horn first and see how things look. Mateusz Wydra of Oldtimer Parts in Poland makes a quality repro headlight with an actual twist and turn receptacle for the main bulb unlike the other repro headlights that look like a pair of tin snips were used to cut up the reflector to hold a bulb against the reflector using a spring and a key ring... The "AF" Sparton i found is nearly identical to the "AJM" that came from the factory, the only difference that i can see is that the cover is "opposite," i.e., the tag is on the "top" of the cover which in turn places the wire terminals on the bottom of the horn, opposite of the factory horn. I'm sure you've probably seen this type of horn before, do you know what these horns were fitted to?

20220111_001457.jpg20220111_001507.jpg

[Steve Swan]

Thanks for sharing! That just looks like a fun to ride bike.

Thanks for your kind words! Frank is so much fun!

[exeric]

So good to see and update from you, and your J Harley, Steve. It's wonderful to have a motorcycle that is comfortable, predictable, and settled in. Your planned changes sound like a good idea, and will keep the love affair going. Thanks for the pictures, and the update.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Thanks for sharing! That just looks like a fun to ride bike.

[Steve Swan]

It's been a while since i posted anything on how Frank is doing, we had a warm day December 22nd past so i was able to log another 44 miles on the old fellow for a total of 866 trouble free miles since the build. The engine runs with ease and feels like everything is all mated in. My sprocket ratios let the engine motor down the road at a comfortable 55-60 mph, but at those speeds along with the mountain roads the sport solo tanks empty sooner than i like, so i am thinking i will get a set of standard tanks to extend my mileage a bit more so i can make a long day trip. The front brake works well and the stopping ability lets me feel confident in traffic. I'm hoping that later in the fall i can take Frank apart and give him new shiny grey paint on the tanks and fenders with dark blue stripes, and dark blue frame and forks. i found a nifty small Sparton motor horn to replace that feather face horn that'll be going on in the next few days. I'd like to find another 6" Edelmann spotlight to match the one on the right. on the other hand, i've thought about taking it off, but i haven't tried the lights at night. yet...

[Steve Swan]

Wonderful pictures!

[EricOlson]

And one more from a later period when Frank and Gladys were still active and riding. Frank and Gladys Murray..jpg

[EricOlson]

Eric, thank you for sharing those wonderful pictures!

Glad to do it Steve! Here's a couple more that were posted. (Credit for these pictures goes to Armando Magri's son Ken Magri, who posted his dad's memories online. Thank you Ken!)

Frank and Gladys Murray on a Pope, 1910s.jpg
Frank and Gladys Murray on a Pope, 1910s

Frank and Gladys Murray in front of Folsom prison.jpg Frank and Gladys Murray in front of Folsom prison

Frank and Gladys Murray at Yosemite, on their Harley-Davidson sidecar, 1920s.jpg
Frank and Gladys Murray at Yosemite, on their Harley-Davidson sidecar, 1920s

Frank and Gladys Murray with another couple, near Fort Brag, 1920s.jpg Frank and Gladys Murray with another couple, near Fort Brag, 1920s.jpg

Service department, Frank J Murray Harley-Davidson, Sacramento, 1920s.jpg Service department, Frank J Murray Harley-Davidson, Sacramento, 1920s

[Steve Swan]

Eric, thank you for sharing those wonderful pictures!

[EricOlson]

Frank J Murray was indeed the Sacramento California Harley dealer for several decades. If Rich O could get on to the new forum I know he would regale us with many stories and insights about him. What little I know was learned from reading the autobiography of Armando Magri, who worked for Murray for years before purchasing the dealership from him. Here are some pictures that were posted along with the autobiography.

A snow run in the Sierras, 1920s style. Sacramento Harley-Davidson dealers Frank and Gladys Murray and friends.jpg
A snow run in the Sierras, 1920s style. Sacramento Harley-Davidson dealers Frank and Gladys Murray and friends

118789~1.JPG
Artwork for Speedway racing that Frank Murray sponsored

William Harley and Frank Murray at Daytona, 1939.jpg
William Harley and Frank Murray at Daytona in 1940

Armando Magri and Frank Murray at the Pacific Coast TT Championship, 1941.jpg
Armando Magri and Frank Murray at the Pacific Coast TT Championship, 1941

[Steve Swan]

Knuck, thanks for that!