'27 JD Cut Down Project - SWAN

[Steve Swan]

pisten-bully Hi Harry, please pardon my long tardy reply. agreed on the use of that rack... I put it back on as it really eases my 73 years old self for hanging on to the rack as a i maneuver to the rear of the bike to lift it onto the center stand. As much as its absence shows off its sleek lines, i appreciate having it there.

An update, i purchased a 1929 exhaust set from Marcin who manufactures them in Poland. There's a story behind my decision to go with the '29 setup as well as i like their unusual appearance.

Also, i crossed the 2,000 mile mark on Frankie this past Sunday. I don't think it's my imagination, the engine is running differently. I thought I'd noticed a difference the last 2 times I've rode the bike, seemingly more appparent during this evening's ride. I believe the engine is more or less fully broken in, because it seems to have more compression at the kick pedal. It seems to accelerate somewhat more quickly up to speed, seems to pull steep grades with less effort and and does hold a bit more speed on steep grades in High (4th) gear. Idle rpm has increased, so i turned out the idle screw slightly less than 1/8 turn. The engine also seems to idle more evenly. Interesting stuff.

I think i've shared this story in the past, but here's perhaps a bit more context for why i went with the 1929 exhaust.

Dad had to leave his mechanical engineering studies at the Univerity of Cincinnati to help out on the farm because his brother had tragicaly died from a ruptured appendix. Dad traded in his '27 to Billy Wolff Harley-Davidson in Lincoln, Nebraska for a new '29 which was partially afforded on credit. Although there was heavier snowfall the latter part of winter in early 1929, the '29 farming season brought the beginnings of drought that didn't bode well for being able to have money to continue paying for the bike and despite Dad being a naturally born salesman there wasn't any sort of products that he could sell to financially conservative farmers in rural NE Nebraska during a year when prices had dropped on crops. Because of this, Dad had to return the '29 to Billy Wolff. Dad, being a man of pride and integrity, I can only imagine how difficult it was for a 23 year old to have to have to give up the bike because he could no longer afford to make payments so he could keep it. It seems Dad never forgot that time nor that '29 Harley.

1970, was my 1st semester of college, Dad came down to visit me and looked in the phone directory to see if Billy Wolff was still in business. Turns out, Billy still was in business...

A little about Billy, Billy worked with his brothers in their Indian dealership before WW1, and when WW1 broke out, Billy joined the fight in Europe. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177399124/william-wolff When Billy returned from the war, he went back to working in the dealership and at some point apparently no longer sold Indians and became a successful Harley dealer in the '20's on up to the outbreak of WW2. Wolff Harley-Davidson was known in the community for being not only civic minded but also local racing events, but also putting on motorcycling activies out of his shop and had an account with the Lincoln Police Department during those years. https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/.../vehicles/motor-history.pdf

At some point, Billy no longer sold motorcycles and became an established bicycle dealer, https://www.facebook.com/.../1531.../posts/3609335742664660/ and again being civic minded became thoroughly involved in the bicycling community to the point that there is today the Billy Wolff trail in Lincoln https://www.gptn.org/.../billywolff-billy_wolff_trail.html

Back to the fall of 1970, Dad and i went to Billy's bike shop, Dad introduced himself to Billy and told his story of having to return the '29. Amazingly, 41 years later, Billy remembered my Dad having to return that '29. So, this is why i purchased one of Marcin's beautiful 1929 exhaust setups to remember Billy and Dad. 2002 miles 9.19.2025.jpg 8.31.25 Frankie Excellent.jpg

[pisten-bully]

It's all personal choice, and I think Steve's motorcycle looks great with or without the rear rack. Having said that, I personally couldn't do without having a rear place to carry "stuff". 35 miles RT to the grocery and back and I'll ride a motorcycle in good weather, groceries on the back. All day or multi day ride and I like to have an extra layer to put on or shed depending...some maps, water and a snack, toothbrush on an overnight. And a total loss bike needs to carry a bit of oil ...and don't forget about a few tools!

[Steve Swan]

No luggage ! more beautiful without

Eric, sans rack lets the bike have a sleek appearance, especially with tte sport solo tanks and gives the rear fender with its attaching rods a chance to be noticed. I think the deciding factor if it stays off will be what it's like when i'm moving to the back of the bike to put it on the rear stand afer i've dismounted. Even with the rack, the bike feels wobbly while i'm keeping it balanced upright as i'm moving to the rear of the bike to lift it up on the stand as the bike's so low, t requires me to be stooped a bit as i hold onto the bike moving to the back... Without the rack, I've realized i don't mind the rack on the bike, and it's a factory accessory. the fiscally conservative part of me has a bit of a hard time justifying an $800 part hanging on the wall. I am going to leave the rack off for a while to see if i can adapt without needing something to hold onto to help me get it on the stand.

[Steve Swan]

The rack doesn't bother me, I kind of like it. And it somehow balances out some the the clutter on the front.

I agree, Robbie. As an accessory from the era, it makes the bike and the stop/tail light cobination is as noticeable. I like it both ways, so i'm not sure if the rack will be off indefinitely.

[Eric]

No luggage ! more beautiful without

[Rubone]

The rack doesn't bother me, I kind of like it. And it somehow balances out some the the clutter on the front.

[Steve Swan]

Steve, the extra light might just help get the attention of the daydreaming motorist behind you. I did the same thing on my 1930 Henderson KJ. (picture on American Other Wanted, WTB 1920s accessory stop light, 4-14-2025). Luggage rack is a matter of personal preference. I have a luggage reck on mine. I really like your bike either way.
Dave

Thanks for your kind words, Dave! I like the looks better without the rack, but the jury's still out... Agreed on the light!

[Steve Swan]

Well, what can I say, Steve? I think it looks stunning without the rack. But your points are well taken about the benefit of the rack for pulling the bike onto the rear stand, and a proper mount for an additional tail light. I have the rack on my '16 and it is indispensable for an old guy to get that gangly thing up on it's rear stand. J era Harleys are not as light or spindly as many people think. Again, gorgeous motorcycle, Steve.

Eric, i like it better without the rack, but... us old guys need all the assist we can get!

[exeric]

Well, what can I say, Steve? I think it looks stunning without the rack. But your points are well taken about the benefit of the rack for pulling the bike onto the rear stand, and a proper mount for an additional tail light. I have the rack on my '16 and it is indispensable for an old guy to get that gangly thing up on it's rear stand. J era Harleys are not as light or spindly as many people think. Again, gorgeous motorcycle, Steve.

[ammorest]

Steve, the extra light might just help get the attention of the daydreaming motorist behind you. I did the same thing on my 1930 Henderson KJ. (picture on American Other Wanted, WTB 1920s accessory stop light, 4-14-2025). Luggage rack is a matter of personal preference. I have a luggage reck on mine. I really like your bike either way.
Dave

[Steve Swan]

Well... Eric! Ya got me!

1:26 am and i couldn't resist! So here's pics without the rack. I think i can give her (and me) some grace for the audacious tail/stop light combination. I think they're something like someone might have put on back in the day to make the "STOP" light fit to the tail light and save a buck if they'd wrinkled the factory tail light... Maybe.

Without the rack, i do like how it shows off those elegant little fender rods. And, the lights sticking up as they do, makes a statement akin to "Flying J" front fender ornament sticking up boldly in the air as it does. Probably if i had a "do over," i would not have gone with the large tail light, but i didn't feel like cutting the two thin rings to a smaller diameter that wrap around the tail light holding it in place, and i really like that funky cool "STOP" light.


What do you think?


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[Steve Swan]

Oh, no worries, Eric, i've thought the same thing! In fact, i resisted the urge to take it off last week!! Three things keep me from removing it, 1. The rack makes it so easy after getting off the bike for something substantial to grab onto as i move to the rear of the bike in prepartion to lift the bike onto the rear stand, 2. the large "STOP" light and the larger automobile tail light combined make for better road visibility, and 3. i paid $800 for that rack and the practical part of me doesn't like the idea of having it hanging on the wall only serving as wall art! Nonetheless, I'm with you on lthe appearance of luggage racks, and with your shared thoughts, i may take it off as an experiment to see how the bike looks without the rack... The pre16-type fender rods are sturdy enough to withstand lifting up and pulling back, but the edges of the fenders being what they are, with my older hands, pretty much necessitate wearing gloves to secure my grip, and when the bike sits, i like having it on the rear stand. With the rear lights sans rack, they stick up more than i like... That automotive tail light, i chose for three reasons; 1. visiblity on the road as i ride the bike at least 300 miles a season, 2. cheaper than going with an original, and 3. i didn't like the other non-factory alternatives i was finding. The "STOP" light, i wanted, cuz it's like what my Dad had on his '27 and also that it so well represents the era when electric lights had fully come into their own, the departure from the acetylene era, and stoplights not seen as a nececessity, were an accsessory and not yet a standard factory feature. On these notes, your comments are not only well taken, they may well be the impetus prompting me to remove the rack, and see if i can live with the rear lights sticking up in the air like a bit of a sore thumb... The rack helps mask the the height of those two lights, one on top of the other...!

Ps. I dn't have any pics without the rack, but now that she's all spruced up, i may decide to take the rack off to see what she looks like without it!

[exeric]

Love your JD, Steve. The side stand is a great feature and something I want to jury-rig to my '16F. This is just my aesthetic value, but I have never liked the look of a luggage rack on a motorcycle because it disrupts the visual flow of a motorcycle's intrinsic style. There is no disputing the utility of a luggage rack (I guess) but always thought they were superfluous for a short distance, pleasure bike. Just curious if you have a picture of the JD without the rack. Please don't take this as a negative comment, Steve. I still love your bike):

[Steve Swan]

Sure looks good!!!

Thank you. I didn't realize i would tuen out as well as it did!

[dukekleman]

Sure looks good!!!