Month: October 2019

One of the most interesting books I have read about the Motor Company is At The Creation by Herb Wagner. It’s a great read if you are into the older models and the history of Harley.

The company started in 1905 but claimed their 50th anniversary in 1954 (1904) and their 100th anniversary in 2003 (1903). They are pulling back a year every 50. There is plenty of discussion about this in the book and their very creative copy people where claiming even back in the teens that they were older than they really were. This was all part of the battle to claim that they were the oldest US manufacturer.

The reason I mention this is that as I start this next project, the 1914 model 10F, the first chapter in the 1914 catalogue reminds me of their claims that “the 1914 motorcycle is a direct result of more than twelve years of experience in the manufacture of high grade motorcycles”.

That’s the manufacture of, not thinking about or talking about. So more than 12 years takes them back to earlier than 1902! Is that maybe 1901, or 1900? Is that what we call ‘fake news’ now?

1914 was the first year of the new rear brake. It was on the opposite side to the drive chain (or belt) and replaced the old coaster style break which was inside the hub on 1913 and earlier models. It could still be operated by pedalling backwards, as on the earlier models, through an ingenious but cumbersome rod set up on the right side of the bike.

The rear brake that came with the 10F will need plenty of work. I had an actuating arm here already and the band will need to be relined. The bigger job is that the shell (BG230) will need to be metal spayed inside so I have enough material to make it work for the friction lining.

The shorter of the two rods came with the project but it was tired and needed a little work so I bought a complete set from Jethro Smith. They are complete, correct and very keenly priced. His work is always spot on.