1912 Harley X8E at Anamosa Museum

A few months ago I rode from the East to the West Coast again, making another visit to the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, IA. They have a great selection of early machines, many in original paint and great for taking photos for restoration purposes.

http://www.nationalmcmuseum.org/

Here are some snaps of the 1912 X8E. It was a great year in Harley’s development; the year of the first ‘big twin’, the sloping rear frame, first year for chain drive and the Freewheel clutch is a real bonus.  Still with the super slim looks of the early bikes before the first ‘widening’ in 1913, and others later.

I rate this as their best ever model, followed by the 1914 two speed and then the Knucklehead.

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