Positive I.D. On This H-D?

[SMS]

here is an old shot of my Grandpa (standing) and his soon-to-be brother in law Harry Reeves seated on the bike. I've always called this a 1917 model, but I don't really know the distinctions between the years as well as I should.

So can one of you HD experts verify or correct what I have assumed by looking at these photos?

Thanks,
Bill

[Sargehere]

1916 was the last year of the "Silent Gray Fellows." In 1917, in preparation for World War I, I guess, all the bikes started to be painted olive green. But not ALL of them. Harley started the year painting them gray. It's at least down to that: 1916 or early 17 J-model. (magneto, not generator electrics, 3-speed, and chain driven, no bicycle pedals)
Grampa's bike here has the carbide gas lighting "kit" installed, which is what you needed to go at night on a magneto-equipped Harley. Based only on what's visible in the photos, and the front fender and the "low" height of the sprung fork say to me 1916 or early 1917 J. In 1918 the foot clutch pedal changed shape, as well as the "dome" over the clutch Grandpa's looks like the earlier "flat" one.
But i could be wrong, of course.

[Sargehere]

I change my mind. That's a bicycle pedal sticking out of the primary in front of the Grandpa's son-in-law's left calf in the top photo. I put it as a 1916.

[SMS]

I change my mind. That's a bicycle pedal sticking out of the primary in front of the Grandpa's left calf in the top photo. I put it as a 1916.

Great info. Thanks. I was thinking the front lower fender brace was heavier than I'd seen on a -1916, but knew there had to be misc mechanical clues. I used to do book reports in grade school and bored the class to death talking about Corvette gauge lens differences between 1959 and 60 and that sort of riveting info that I'm sure to this day they all all the better for knowing. (However no one was courteous enough to thank me for that at my 30th reunion. Oh well)

Bill

[Sargehere]

This is a poor, quick photo, but it is a snapshot of p. 30 of Jerry Hatfield's "Inside Harley-Davidson..1903-1945"



There are the low-topped spring fork, the flat, stepped, instead of domed (1918), banjo cover, clutch pedal lever, and those front fork braces. If it was a pedal-start model, the bicycle crank would have exited at the right point of the diamond around the "H-D" on the primary cover. I'll stick on 1916, but I'd like to hear if anyone has any other ideas, or confirms.

[c.o.]

I'd have to agree with you Sarge on 1916. I believe that the 16-E and 16-B were both single speed models and they came with a forward type pedal starter. If you bought the deluxe three speed you had the option of the forward starter or the "new" rear kick start. It's too bad we don't have a clear shot from the other side maybe we could see a transmission or....not...... That's two cents (from not an expert...) Exeric where are ya? Maybe there's something to add or possibly subtract from my post......

[c.o.]

Hmmm.... no more input? Tommo, maybe you'd like to weigh in on this?

[exeric]

Gerry is right; the first pictures are of a 1916 J. The best way to tell is the rear stand which is the early type and was last used on the 1916 J. The picture that Gerry posted from Jerry Hatfield's book is a 1917. You will notice that the rear stand is the later type and attaches to the axel plates that were introduced in 1917. That picture is often mis-identified as a 1916 because it obviously has the gray color. Early 1917 J's were gray; just like early 1917 Excelsiors were gray. Mark Massa has commented on the use of the pedal start trans on 1916's. He posted pictures of a 1915 case and a 1916 pedal start case and there were obvious differences. His theory about the pedal start case was H-D was hedging their bets and didn't want to alienate their old customers with a new step starter. It's funny when you think that H-D was only about 10 years old at that time.