1914 Harley 10F or 10E (not sure yet) need help to get started 30+ years of sitting

[Motorbikebruno]

Looks like the float will be OK even though it's heavier. Also, some good news! The Magneto has spark! I've got it out on the bench and will check it over the best I can for now.

Update: It has the original windings with tar/paper. But overall is mechanically in great condition. Will get pics up later. She puts out a great spark, especially if you forget you are too close to the plug wire ends...

[Motorbikebruno]

Great stuff so far! While turning the engine over several times getting the rear cylinder in place for timing, the main gear with Exhaust and intake lobes decided to work it's way out and lose crank timing. So I learned how to get that back in place, and put the mag back on and set the timing! So far, so good! I verified that both spark plugs create spark, and have left the intake pockets off to help with seeing this. Next up: The oil pump plunger leaks out of the top. Time for some new seals! They should be here next week. Draining the oil next, waiting for the plunger parts and then we should be good to fire it up after verifying that the plunger pushes the correct amount of oil to the engine. Can't wait!

First the timing marks that got out of whack due to me not noticing the gear walking out!
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A picture is of the plunger that is getting the new seals (leather)
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This last picture is of the key that you would like to take OUT of the magneto spindle. Normally this would be used to hold it in place. This mag has the original "tar and paper' in it. If it fails, it would most likely lock up the magneto, which locks up the gears along the side of the engine. The hope is that this will slip in such an event and not destroy the case or any other components than the mag itself. Secondly, it allows for much more perfect timing, if the timing was a little off the key wouldn't allow you to move it slightly to get in a better spot. I was told that since the spindle is chamfered down the gear will lock in place with the pressure of installing the nut on the end. This seems to make the most sense to me as well, so it's what I did.
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[Motorbikebruno]

It's been a crazy past month or so. We had our second son on November 14th so not much work has been done to the Harley. I'll catch you up to speed!

First picture is the new leather cups for the oil pump. I ended up needing slightly larger diameter washers than what came in the kit from Competition Distributing (http://www.competitiondist.com/) Now the hand pump puts out a reliable 1oz shot of oil for each pump. Next I found a broken oil line going into the engine. I pulled the spring and check ball out and drained the oil tank and then took off the oil line. I was thinking of re-soldering the end, but the line would be too short. See next post for the fix.

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[Motorbikebruno]

So I talked to Dave again and I could make a new line, or I could splice the line with a rubber hose, which would help with vibration anyways. The rubber hose allowed me to get the distance I needed after filing down and re-installing the crush grommet on there. Worked perfectly!

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Now that the oil lines are good, and working properly as well as new oil, fresh gas, cleaned carburetor with new float, and timing set....it was time to fire her up. I replaced the valve pockets, paying close attention to where the air inlet is on them, as you CAN put them in wrong it seems. I also noted that it looks like you could get more efficiency from them since the pockets never really lined up perfectly to the intake run.

The time was now. I swore I checked everything over, and we were ready to kick her over. Having seen only videos of others starting their bikes, I wasn't quite sure what the best way was. I realize now that the first video I saw was actually a single....so I sat on the seat and pedaled hard! I got 3 revolutions and BAM! It kicked back and hurt my knee a little. I stopped, went through all of the timing and finding it all accurate I didn't know why at first it had done this. I'm used to 2 stroke dirtbikes and 4 stroke trail bikes, so a kick back wasn't new to me. BUT then I realized the throttle was turned at least half-way open!!! AHHHHHHHH. Normally one wouldn't want to tell people this and let it just disappear into my own memory, but I feel that it is part of the story and must be told. So I turned the camera on, and set her back up. Checked everything over AGAIN while talking to myself verifying things. I made sure the throttle was closed this time!!! I went to the internet again to find out how to kick this machine over properly. And found a good example. I rotated the pedal so that it was easy for me to get a good downward stroke from the left side of the bike. I kicked hard and you could hear it want to fire!! Not good enough. So I sat on it, rotated the pedals into the proper spot again....kicked hard and she hurried to life!!!!!! This amazing machine that has sat the last 30+ known years (could have been 50 or 60 for all we know) roared to life again. I let her run for a little while, and then adjusted the timing to kill the engine. Worked easily and she became quiet again. What a rush! I've been bitten by this bug of a TRUE vintage machine. The 70's Japanese bikes I work on every week are mere babies compared to this old Harley. I've found a new love for motorcycling through this experience. I'd like to say thanks to Dave K. He's helped me so much and been so patient with all of my questions. Now we are at the next point for this old bike...the shifting mechanism.

I'm looking for any information regarding how to know if the planetary gears are OK, what do I need to do to check it out? Can I check it by simply putting it in gear while the bike is on the stand and the engine running? (the only thing I could find on the internet was something about a bulletin that came out saying you will bend an arm/ruin the hub if you do not have the engine running while shifting.)

Feel free to PM me with any details as I would love to get this bike in a good running state for my father's friend. After this bike is finished, the only thing left for me to do is find a project of MY OWN!!!! I can't wait to start searching!! I'll try to get the video up of it running some time soon too.

[Motorbikebruno]

Here's the video I came up with Currently not searchable, so you have to use this link to get to it. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/ZNwy6zPKAdQ

[dave kafton]

Bruno, Good job. The bike looks and sounds great. One thing, do me a favor and close the tool box door before ever trying to start again. I have seen 2 of those original tool box doors folded in half from leaving them open while starting. Good job kid. Dave

[Steve Swan]

Very nice ! Great job !

Can you imagine being in 1914... taking delivery of your new motorcycle at the dealer... starting it for the first time... riding it for the first time... and your ride before was your horse... ?

[Motorbikebruno]

Bruno, Good job. The bike looks and sounds great. One thing, do me a favor and close the tool box door before ever trying to start again. I have seen 2 of those original tool box doors folded in half from leaving them open while starting. Good job kid. Dave

Thanks Dave!! I saw that tool box door on the video after not realizing it had swung open on me. Come to find out that it has always stayed open...the mechanism that holds it shut is broken I'll use something to hold it shut from now on. Thanks for all of the help! It's been an amazing journey and the start of my own interest in the much OLDER motorcycles than I typically work on. Currently looking for a project for myself! I have been bitten by the bug!!

Steve, it's an unbelievable thing to even think of. I've caught myself daydreaming about just that already. In all reality...I haven't ridden it for the first time yet, so that WILL be something I get to live out! haha.

[exeric]

Very nice ! Great job !

Can you imagine being in 1914... taking delivery of your new motorcycle at the dealer... starting it for the first time... riding it for the first time... and your ride before was your horse... ?

Steve, I think you know exactly what makes old motorcycles so interesting. I always think about the ghosts in my machines and even though they have been through restorations, and have parts from other motorcycles, I think there is still a soul in there. A motorcycle in 1914 was a flying carpet for some kid on a farm, or a guy that could look for a better job 10 miles from his home. However, I think of Henry Ford who pondered whether the automobile was a blessing or a curse.

[Motorbikebruno]

Steve, I think you know exactly what makes old motorcycles so interesting. I always think about the ghosts in my machines and even though they have been through restorations, and have parts from other motorcycles, I think there is still a soul in there. A motorcycle in 1914 was a flying carpet for some kid on a farm, or a guy that could look for a better job 10 miles from his home. However, I think of Henry Ford who pondered whether the automobile was a blessing or a curse.

Some great points for sure. Every motorcycle definitely has a soul, whether it's ghost's in the machine, or ghosts from the machine's past. Either way, this project has really opened my eyes to a whole new realm and I'm quite lucky to have even worked on it. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

[pisten-bully]

In all reality...I haven't ridden it for the first time yet, so that WILL be something I get to live out! haha.

MBBruno.... great project! Just noticed your location, and after a long, cold winter there's nothing like hopping on a vintage motorcycle in April or May and riding. Make certain you pick one of the first really nice days... then you'll be hooked beyond any hope of recovery!

[exeric]

I want to thank Bruno for posting that great youtube video. How much better can it get to have a motorcycle fire off on the first kick. That is a tribute to your careful assembly, tuning, and attention to detail.

[Motorbikebruno]

Thanks guys! I have to send credit towards Dave since it was his very thorough explanation of many things that got this bike running. I had a myriad of questions and he was quite patient with me. I had never seen much of the old "technology" the bike had on it. From the pump using leather cups, to the oil dripper mechanism and the magneto.

Now it's on to the next parts. New tires/tubes, and figuring out the 2 speed hub....which seems a bit daunting due to the finicky nature of them. I have no doubt that the hub is in OK shape already, due to the condition the bike is in and the steps someone took to store it properly. But I'll need to take the rear wheel off to get new tires put on her, so it will HAVE to be addressed. Anyone with more info on that would be highly appreciated. If/when I go through it, I'll try to document the process to allow others to see how it works and how to put it together etc. Good thing I do have a few months before spring shows up Thanks again for the kind words.

[Motorbikebruno]

Been quiet busy with life and fixing old Japanese bikes all summer for people. (I do it mainly for the love of the machines) Nothing greater than seeing them back on the road after 10,20 or even 40 years of slumber. Anyways, Since I had gotten the bike started, the pedal crank broke (right pedal) and I was able to source a "new" one that Fred Lange makes himself it seems. Pretty cool and he's a great guy to talk to. I've just left a message with him, but I'm wondering if there was something missing from the crank assembly line-up that caused this problem in the first place. So I'm wondering if anyone knows what pieces there are. Currently, the large crank section slides through the engine and stops in a large square boss. It comes out the right side, through the rear brake mechanism and after that, the right pedal is put on and snugged down. When I snug it down, nothing is even remotely "tight" to the point that I feel like I'm missing a 1/4" spacer or something along those lines. So if anyone happens to have any knowledge on this, please let me know. I can take pictures and do my best to show the issue too.

Edit: pictures added. It's looking like the new pedal crank is "too long" for the bike. The original barely pushed through the rear brake mechanism. Not sure yet if I'll have to fabricate something, as I'll wait to hear from Fred Lange.

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