JD paint

[DanM]

Can anyone advise the paint and finish pattern on a 26 Harley? What I mean is what is olive? Frame, forks, fenders, tanks, battery box, tailight, tool box, engine cases, trans case, and rims?

What is black-bars, headlight, horn, generator, coil, wheel hubs?

What is parkerized? shifter linkages, footboard rods, sidebars, brake parts, distributor timer?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Chris Haynes]

Can anyone advise the paint and finish pattern on a 26 Harley? What I mean is what is olive? Frame, forks, fenders, tanks, battery box, tailight, tool box, engine cases, trans case, and rims?

What is black-bars, headlight, horn, generator, coil, wheel hubs?

What is parkerized? shifter linkages, footboard rods, sidebars, brake parts, distributor timer?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Speaking of parkerizing. Notice the nipples on the back wheel are dark and the front wheel are bright.

[Tommo]

Dan
You may want to look at the response I made to the above image in Parking Lot Chatter,
Conclusion of the thread colour soap opera.

[Chris Haynes]

Tommo,
Did you notice the serial number on this machine? It was the first 1926 built. I am sure it saw some use before this photo was taken.

[Tommo]

Chris,
I did see that and the fact it is a mag model is interesting as in 1926 mag models were special order bikes and didn't appear on the factory order sheets so it makes you wonder why the first bike off the line, that was always kept by the factory, wasn't one that represented what joe public could buy.
The other thing that is very interesting is that the frame has 1925 style rear wheel castings with the 5/16 dia chain adjuster screws and not the 3/8 dia ones usually associated with 1926 on Harleys.
Because of the gearbox change for 1926 the frames don't interchange but here we have a 1926 frame with 1925 style chain adjuster castings. So we now have to ask were the early 1926 production models fitted with 1925 castings and if so does anyone know of any still existing today. I've never seen one until I saw that image you posted.
Kevin,
Based on the image posted above what would the judges think if a 1926 bike turned up for judging at a meet with 5/16 dia chain adjusters.

[Tommo]

I've just re-read what I posted above and the old chap made a mistake in saying the frame was a one year only thing, it was the gearbox mainshaft that was the one year only thing and the chain adjuster sizes were as I stated, 5/16 for 1925 and 3/8 for 1926 but it would be possible to put a 1926 motor and gearbox into a 1925 frame.

Kevin I still pose you the same question. Would 5/16 dia adjusters be accepted on a 1926 bike.

Someone elsewhere asked about brands of spark plugs and in the front cylinder you can see a "WRIGHT" spark plug. Both my 1920 and 1925 Accessory catalogues have this brand and this brand only advertised and I have never seen one in the flesh but that image certainly shows one fitted.

It's also interesting to note where the bracket to hold the "OLD SOL" generator is fitted. I always thought the bracket should be below the swage roll so that if the bracket came loose you didn't drop your generator out on the road or you at least had a chance to save it before it dropped out.
I don't know about the USA but certainly here in NZ you wouldn't find a generator fitted on the front downtube because the riders of the time would be too scared that if the frame mount vibrated loose the generator could swing round and foul the mudguard with possible disasterous consequences.
All the photos I've seen of bikes of the time here in NZ have the generator mounted on the top rail that runs from the seat down to the rear wheel and generally on the left hand side.

Finally here I must say "SORRY" for the above mis-information and as someone who has critised others for this exact same thing I can only say I've got egg all over my face on this one.

[Chris Haynes]

so it makes you wonder why the first bike off the line, that was always kept by the factory.

I have seen all of the factory bikes. The first bike off the line was not always the one kept. In many cases they kept the prototype bike, which generally carried the previous years serial number. Many of the bike have rather high serial numbers.

[kval]

Tommo
with your eye for detail, we need you up here to help judge.
if a 26 showed up with a 25 part on it the judges would deduct points, unless the owner could show documentation that some bikes were built that way.
we have learned that some late production or early production bikes were built with parts from the next/previous year.this is an area of constant debate, which is why we need people like you to try to decide if it was possible for the bike to have been built this way

[DanM]

Chris- could you repost the JD pic?

The link seems to be gone. Or, my email is danmargolien@yahoo.com.

THANKS in advance

[Chris Haynes]

The link seems to be gone. Or, my email is danmargolien@yahoo.com.

THANKS in advance