strap tank harley pops up at Oley!

[silentgreyfello]

It doesn't seem logical that the factory would start their VIN numbers with 1800, but lets say they did. That means that from VIN number 1800 to the lastest known 8 bolt VIN number, which is 2278, about 478 machines were produced for 1907 and 1908 combined. Does that sound right?

I don't know what the logical number for vin numbers would be, but this we know. Harley claimed 150 machines for 1907, 450 for 1908 for a totoal of 600 in the two years. I don't think they would have made more than this and not published the number. I would tend to lean that they either produced that amount, but probably less. 600 right on the money? I think that is a conveniant number for publishing.

Let's assume their numbers of 600 are correct with no gap between 1907 and 1908. With the lowest (1823) and highest(2278) numbers that are known to exist, the lowest possible vin would be 1678 (if 2278 was last straptank), or the highest possible vin would be 2423 (if 1823 was first 1907). None of those number spreads include a conveniant number to start with, say 1000.

[rwm]

No problem Rob. I guess you and Lucy get a pass in the photo department.
.

don't know how but the lovely lucy got photos for you guys

[rwm]

plus she rotated them for us

[c.o.]

Look at that. Photos without even showing up! Awesome!!! You'll have to thank her for us Rob. Man, that's quite the homemade frame!

[Chuck#1848]

Yes thanks Rob and Lucy!..........now.. Cory, what do you figure they used for pipe thread sealant on that frame?

Look at that. Photos without even showing up! Awesome!!! You'll have to thank her for us Rob. Man, that's quite the homemade frame!

[c.o.]

Yes thanks Rob and Lucy!..........now.. Cory, what do you figure they used for pipe thread sealant on that frame?

Ha! Is it just me or does it look like it's tack welded together?????

[Chuck#1848]

Ha! Is it just me or does it look like it's tack welded together?????

6011 or 7018?? Intresting in the ideas that people come up with when it comes to motorcycles pipe fittings who would have thought pretty creative in a way

[silentgreyfello]

They used unions to complete the circle because they didn't have a LH/RH coupler. I have run a lot of black iron pipe in the last 8 years, but never thought I would see a strap tank harley nestled in between the stuff. I'll never look at a 3/4" T the same anymore. And check out the belt tensioner... foot activated. Way ahead of Harley here! I gotta hand it to the guy. He was resourceful. The bicycle portion (front and rear) looks to be elgin, and the middle section is schedule 40 black iron.

[Earl]

I can't say from looking at the pictures exactly what we have here. I wasn't able to get to Oley this year, so haven't seen this in person.

But I remember seeing an early New Era motorcycle at a museum, and it really made me do a double take, as it looked like an early Harley motor. So I invite everybody to Google "New Era motorcycle" and investigate. I'll look for those museum pictures that I took.

[rwm]

But I remember seeing an early New Era motorcycle at a museum, and it really made me do a double take, as it looked like an early Harley motor. So I invite everybody to Google "New Era motorcycle" and investigate. I'll look for those museum pictures that I took.

i think that harley sold this motor to NEW ERA. then new era ground off the name harley or harley ground it off

[silentgreyfello]

i think that harley sold this motor to NEW ERA. then new era ground off the name harley or harley ground it off

Your kidding, right? Their chassis isn't even close, and especially with pipe fittings for castings. The motor in the New Era clamped to the frame like a strap motor, but the left side case and timer were completely different. And their cylinder was different as well. I don't believe I have seen a New Era where the motor was a Harley with the letters shaved off.

[rwm]

Your kidding, right? Their chassis isn't even close, and especially with pipe fittings for castings. The motor in the New Era clamped to the frame like a strap motor, but the left side case and timer were completely different. And their cylinder was different as well. I don't believe I have seen a New Era where the motor was a Harley with the letters shaved off.

i never said anything about the chassis. i said i think harley sold the motor to new era!

[jurassic]

I think they started making these things in 1909, this is a 12 model. Its big like the harley motor, but lots of differences. Maybe the earlier models had different engines.

[c.o.]

I'm thinking Earl and Rob may be on to something....

[jurassic]

Holy Crap! Can you send me a high rez copy of that ad?