White Grips- 1916 J

[Nils_r]

Is There a source for correct white handlebar Grips, they should be both side open ended - not like the canvas white Grips available that has a coke bottle end with a centally placed hole. The early style Grips do not cover the end of the handlebar

[len dowe]

Maybe Foxgrips might have what you need.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/foxgrips1/m...88.m1543.l2654

[exeric]

I've looked for many years to find the early type H-D 'open' grips. I think most people alter the later 'closed' grip by cutting off the end in a lathe, and carefully polishing the remaining land. That gets you close, but it's not correct, and easily spotted. I have to believe someone has made a short run of those grips, and probably someone in Europe. Also, I have collected pictures of early Harleys, and 1916s in particular, and from what I have seen in authentic pictures of that era, the grips are overwhelmingly black. I do see white grips, and footboard mats in factory promotion photos, however.

[Nils_r]

Right- I can modify the whites I have bought but they will be non-symmetrical. I did not know that they also had white footboard mats!

[exeric]

You have me looking at any pictures I can find of teens, and earlier H-Ds. I have to repeat that the majority of grips appear to be black (or riders never washed their hands). 100 year old rubber (no synthetic in those days) doesn't age well and I have to wonder if the 'white' grips were more of an off white, or light tan color. I think that may be a question that will never be answered as time takes it's toll on organic materials used in manufacturing.

[Chris Haynes]

Factory photos show white grips until 1942..

[exeric]

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These 2 pictures of a '14, and '17 are typical of the dark shade of grips I have seen in early photos of H-Ds in actual use. I have seen 'white grips in factory promotional photos from this era, but again, these pics are what is usually seen. It's quite possible the grips were a dark gray but we will never know as the parts books from this era don't mention color.

[Chris Haynes]

OK. Ya made me put on my glasses and look carefully through my 2,500 factory photos. Contrary to my opinion the first appearance of white grips in in 1934.

[exeric]

That was funny, Chris. If only Kodak had popularized color film in the early 20th century; stuff like this wouldn't have been a question.

[Chris Haynes]

That was funny, Chris. If only Kodak had popularized color film in the early 20th century; stuff like this wouldn't have been a question.

They did have color in the '30's. But Harley stayed with B&W until the '60's.

[Robert Luland]

I was under the impression that rubber was white to start with?

[MMasa]

It is before it's vulcanized through the addition of sulfur, heat, etc.
It's also rather sticky.
I've often wondered about "gum dipped" tires.
Were these vucanized (black) tires that were dipped into rubber "gum" to make them sticky for better traction???

[camsaure]

I believe rubber was first white. I have no idea, by the way when HD used white or black. I will leave that to you guys. But as far as car tires they were white until shortly after WW1. Actually they were not bright white like the reproductions today, but rather an off white. Sort of a grey tint. They deteriorated rather fast in sunlight. Then they became black with the addition of carbon black. Black tires were more expensive and of course better then white tires. An interesting side note; they developed a middle priced tire, these had black tread and beads but the sides were still white. Thus was born whitewall tires. Funny how they then became a popular "dress up" item in the 30s, becoming more expensive than all black tires. Another interesting side note; on the cheap but reliable Model T Ford, Henry equipped them with the better quality all black tires choosing quality over cheap economy. Ford went to all black tires I believe around 1919 or 1920.

[exeric]

Goodyear also made the 'Blue Streak' tire which was white, with the center tread being blue. Our past treasurer, Bud Cox had an early Indian factory racer that had original Blue Streak tires. The bike was used in that movie with David Carradine, 'Fast Charlie, etc. etc.' The bike was suppose to be used for authentic background color and not raced, but as Bud said, when he got the bike back, the tires were smooth, and worn out

[duffeycycles]

Vulcanizing was from the early 1800s & made rubber tires possible.Carbon black was added to tires in the early teens to make them durable & less sticky.By WW1 tires for cars & motorcycles had carbon black added.A new 1915 HD would have carbon black tires not white.