1914 Harley luggage rack

[Ken]

I'd like to thank all of you that have posted photos and made comments about the 1914 rack. All your knowledge is appreciated.

[exeric]

I have pictures of five 1914's that have racks. All have 3 legs.

I have to believe that production racks had 3 legs. The picture Chris posted of the 2 legged rack is probably an early promotional photo based on the large 'Harley-Davidson' decal on the tank. I've had original Excelsior luggage carriers that were 2 legs, and 1/2" tubing and they were always mangled, and bent.

[exeric]

Fantastic pictures, SGF. Pre World War 1 era motorcycles are by far my favorites. You have to stand in awe of the creativity, and quality of workmanship of early bikes, as well as automobiles.

[silentgreyfello]

I have pictures of five 1914's that have racks. All have 3 legs.

[silentgreyfello]

Here are some more pics.
DSC00418.JPGrh_rear.jpgtaillight.jpgrearhub_LH.jpgrearhub_LH2.jpg

[exeric]

Jim, to me the 1914 carrier looks dimensionally the same as the later pressed steel racks, except with full round tubing. The cross tubing on my '16 carrier measures 5/8" and I would suspect the '14 carrier used the 5/8" tubing overall. Of course there is always something odd about this stuff and I've noticed that the picture Chris posted shows a carrier with 2 support tubes going down to the axel carrier. The picture I posted of a restored '14 has 3 support tubes, as used on later H-D carriers. Maybe the early carriers were weak and H-D added a 3rd tube to strengthen it.

[silentgreyfello]

If we had some dimensions, a few could be made. They are a simple enough design. Finding a loose one not on a bike is a tough endeavor, I would think.

[exeric]

The picture I posted of the 1914 carrier dissapeared, and replaced by a string of odd character fonts. Let's see if this picture sticks.

4k.jpg

[Duda]

Here is what I think is an early rack

[exeric]

As a side note, the later carriers were an amazing example of the tool, and die art and Harley-Davidson had some of the best die makers in the motorcycle trade.

[exeric]

I believe Chris is correct that the 1914 carrier is made of tubing and is not a stamping like later carriers. So, a later carrier wouldn't be right.

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[Chris Haynes]

I am not positive that this is a 14. However the rack is unlike any I have seen. It is made from tube and not stamped half round material like others I have. There are no braces on the rear inside.

[Duda]

I did some research a few years ago on this. There is a photo in "The Legend Begins" in the 1914 section. You can see the rack does not have the two diagonal supports that go from the rear top crossover to each rear leg. This is the only difference I could find. There was one on my 1915. I do not know how to post photos here. If you want some photos my email is , duda@rduda.com. Thanks.

[aumick10]

I have some later ones, but i don't know what it would take to modify them to 14 specs.

[exeric]

I've seen your post for more than a few weeks now and I've wondered if the '14 luggage carrier was different than the ones that followed. Sure enough, the 1914 carrier is unique which means it's gong to be a tough one to find. I wish you luck, but if you can't find an original, it looks like you might be able to alter a later one to work. I guess that's easy for me to say without an original to compare