21 J Kickstart lever finish

[Robert Luland]

I wouldn't be so fast to trust an artist illustration. I new a woman that did this for Korvettes when I was a kid. She would redraw over old work all the time to save time. Those artist were no different.

[MikeW]

This thread has highlighted the pitfalls to be found even in factory photos and brochures. As Eric pointed out, Bob's photo of the 1920 model was prepared in 1919 for the 1920 catalog, using some 1919 parts. (But the kicker is pretty clearly painted Olive.) And Peter and John's brochures show how difficult it is to establish the finishes of some parts from brochure illustrations which were initially highly detailed prints from plate glass negatives like Bob's, but were then handed over to the art department (perhaps of Klaus, Van Peterson and Dunlap, the H-D advertising agents who prepared a lot of their catalogs and brochures) for airbrushing and refining.

However, Bob reminded me that I had seen his photo in Jerry Hatfield's "Inside Harley-Davidson" and had another look through that useful book. And Peter's and John's posts reminded me that I have the original, battered rider's handbook for my 21F.

In JH's book, there are other unmolested photos. Page 49 - 1922J - Brewster green or black kicker. Page 50 - 1923J - Brewster green or black. Page 55 - 1924J - a Brewster green or black kicker behind Ottaway's right leg. (Oddly, all the Sport Models seem to have plated levers.)

Like John, I'm leaning to paint.

I have attached the lubrication chart right side view from my rider's handbook. It is a JD by the look of the cooling fins on the pocket, but I assume that there was no difference in finish between the 61" and 74" models. The photo has been less "enhanced" by the art department than some of the others and, despite all the evidence of painted kickers elsewhere, this one certainly looks plated. But that stll could be the artist "improving" the factory product. Look at the way the fenders have been highlighted to the extent that the paint is whited out. The kicker may have got the same treatment.

Has anyone out there got a photo of the right side of the 21JD in the H-D museum?

005 (800x600).jpg

[MikeW]

Very helpful photos Jamie. If only I could find a couple of pictures of 1921 bikes like those.

[Robert Luland]

I had to dig but no go on the right side. Bob L

[MikeW]

Thanks for digging Bob. I have found that photos of the right hand sides of original paint bikes are very difficult to locate. The left side with the H-D branded primary cover seems to be the "proper" side for formal photos, and account for most views; and when the left side is photographed, either a sidecar or the rider's leg is in the way.

I suggest, from looking at Jamie's photographs, that the kicker may have been parkerized black/dark gray, before painting, which left a blackish looking lever after the olive paint had worn off. I've decided, in the absence of a clear photo or convincing evidence, to go down that route.

There must be someone out there with a pre-restoration or original photo of a 21 J.

[Tommo]

I think this is a very good example on how judges need to be very careful about making judgement on things when there is no definitive answer and period factory original literature is sending mixed messages.
You turn up to judging with a painted kicker arm and the judge says it should be plated.
Where is he getting his definitive decision from?
As an aside I have more than one nos kicker arm and they are all parkerised.

[TechNoir]

Re: 21 J Kickstart lever finish

Last Autumn Bonhams auctioned what was described as an original and unrestored 20J. The good thing about Bonhams is that they post very high resolution photographs on their website. Here is the link:

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/2333...ngth=10&page=1


The reason that I am leaning towards painted in Olive is that the previous owner of my 20F gave the engine and transmission to a well known restorer (Bill Healing) with the brief to restore them. I have some pictures of the unrestored motor and tranny (see below) but it is hard to tell what the finish was but I am assuming that once Bill had cleaned the parts off he was able to establish the original finish on various parts. Loads of bits were nickel plated so in that case why would he have painted the kicker green if it should have been plated? The rebuild cost was an eye watering amount of money so it cant have been done for economic reasons, I believe it was painted because that was the original finish.

Here is an after picture:




Here is my bike before the work.

[MikeW]

I particularly like the dull nickel finish on the restored motor and transmission John. Were you tempted at all to try to preserve rather than restore your 20F, or was it past the point of no return as mine was?
Mike

[TechNoir]

Thanks Mike, The full answer is here:

http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...Harley-Model-F

The short answer is I have decided to leave it as it is, ride it and see how I feel about it before I apply any paint or plate.

John

[DanM]

I have 2 questions-

Who is doing the dull nickle? Is it the plating process or the base metal prep?

Any one have access to 1926 JD photos left and right side in the great clarity of those posted earlier? With all the investigation I did during resto, I'd like to keep improving. For example, I did not nickle the clutch pedal and brake pedal. I'd like to go back over the bike and upgrade it.

Thanks!

[MikeW]

Dan, I don't know if you have already been down this path but Yesterdays, the Dutch vintage motorcycles sales company, has a considerable archive of photos of J Model Harley-Davidsons that have been through their hands, at least a couple of which are 26 models which purport to be in original paint. Some photos are read-only and can't be downloaded for your own files. Some can be copied, though you will no doubt have to take care about copyright. An example of one of their photos, stated to be of a 61' 1926 machine, is attached.

Mike

Harley%20Davidson%201926%2026J-3.jpg

[MikeW]

And another one, from a series of photos of a bike for sale which I found when I googled "1926 Harley Davidson Images".

Mike

1926-harley-davidson-fd-1200-cc-un-restoredoriginal-motorcycle-7.jpg

[Steve Swan]

not to hijack this thread.... Bob Luland sent me these pics of original 26 (when i was fitting together my 27.) Bob said the clutch pedal on this 26JD is cad plated. to keep retail price as low as factory could, beginning early 20's, fewer and fewer parts were nickle plated. untouched factory pictures support a light colored pedal.

Luland.5.jpgLuland.7.jpgLuland.23.jpgLuland.12.jpgLuland.jpg

[Steve Swan]

Luland.16.jpgLuland.6.jpgLuland.19.jpgLuland.8.jpg1927_Harley-Davidson_Model_JD-sep1.jpg

[Steve Swan]

a factory picture and 3 pictures of my Dad on his new 27. he said and wrote down it was a 74 ci. i do not remember him calling it a JD. not to derail this thread, but i note what appears to be a Schebler Model H on his bike. my question is, "Were Model H carb fitted to a particular model or applicaton?" Sidecar ? Standard ? iron pistons ? alloy pistons ?

these pics make it pretty evident the clutch pedal is light colored, consistent with cad plating, not Parkerized or some other dark finish.

1926.jpgDad asleep on the road.jpgrotc lh.jpghhslh.jpg

on my Dad's bike, i also note the oil pipe going from tank pump to crankcase appears to not have a coil as usually seen.......