Starting the build on the 10F

The build has started on the 10F now. The frame needed the usual tidying up of the threads and the seat post needed to be cut free, the post cut and then re-welded (they all do) and that was about it.

The frame, forks and fenders are all original as is the rear stand and the front hub. The replacement seat post is old repop I think. The front wheel is a mock up with British spokes, original rebuilt hub and a repop rim and the fork rockers, seat bar and oil tank are all repop. I have some original rockers I will add later.

AT THE CREATION.

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 rear brake

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.

1914 Clutch parts.

There are plenty of clutch parts included in this project as well as a complete rear two speed hub. I think everything is here plus plenty of extras to trade. I love the Freewheel covers.

Next on the bench 1914 10F.

This is it; the two cylinder two speed. Time to start. The plan is to get together all the parts and then look at what we will need to search for. Most everything is there, there will be plenty of jobs that will need doing but it should be fairly straightforward again.

Gas tank preparation

Next on are the tanks. All the hardware is here so the first job will be to chase all the threads before anything is mounted to the bike. After that it will be the bars and control linkages.

Front end

The front end is now all together. We needed to adjust the springs in the forks but everything else was spot on. I have determined that the rear fender stays will need some more work before they can be considered completed but that will be done as part of the final snagging.

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