Front Fender Valance comparison.

Here are some close ups of the fender valances.  I hope they show the quality and accuracy of the work.  They take a long time to make but it is best to get them correct.

The OTHER valances were bought from a ‘specialist’ in teens machines but after buying a pair for my own restoration I decided they were not good enough. You should consider the rib (groove), its definition and position, the distance between the rib and the edge of the fender, and the way the rib ends as well as the overall appearance of the parts.

 

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Front Fender Valance detail

This is the latest batch of front fender valances which are now available.  They are made from a pattern taken from an original front fender and then matched to those from another machine to check for authenticity and accuracy. The grooves have clear precise definition and are located uniformly in relation to the valance edge.

They will fit the original HD fenders if you need to make a repair.  They will also fit my own replacement fenders and any others that are made to the same pattern of original factory fenders.

I have matched them to other, less accurate copy fenders and they will fit but need a little massaging. (The common replacement fender on the market is based on a 1916 fender and then cut down to width for the 1914-15 application and then cut down again for the 1910-13 application).  Because the profile on the cut down ’16 fenders is wrong (they look too flat) these valances protrude slightly but they can be made to work.

Fitment; These fenders are ready to bolt on. First fit them with clamps to check that all is in order (straight fenders are best). Then starting at the bottom, drill one hole through the fender hole and into the valance. Secure with a temporary bolt and nut and then drill though hole two, working up the fender; secure and continue.

Do NOT drill through the bottom hole first and then move direct to the top hole. Remember you must account for the curvature of the fender.  These valances are flat but have been laser cut to match the original part. Use clamps to make the job easier. After you have secured the valance in place with temporary bolts you can then think about final adjustments and making the slot for the brace mount. Then you can fix them permanently.

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BK263 Belt Guard detail

I have just finished this latest batch of belt guards.  They are a very close copy of the original item and fit perfectly to both of the original rear fenders on my ’12 and ’13.  I will post the fitment of one of these parts to an original fender.

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Lincolnshire lanes

I’ve not been riding for the last couple of months due to foot surgery, so now the cast is off I can get out again.  I took the chopper out for a blast; great to be rolling again, especially now we’ve got some decent weather.  Period chopper with 1956 frame and motor with all the right parts.

The up-side of not riding though is that I’ve almost finished the next batch of fender valances and belt guards.  I’ll list them for sale when they’re done.

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Gold Star finished

This is the little DBD34 Gold Star we got from Buzz.  She needed a fair bit of work but is finished now and runs great.  You can get everything you need to keep these little bikes on the road forever.  I’m very pleased with how she turned out.

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1912 X8E on eBay

Lovely 1912 HD X8E; twin cylinder, chain drive with Freewheel clutch, fully restored.

Comes with a Buy-it-now price of $169k.  It sounds like a lot of $$$ but the last one went for $212k at the EJ Cole Auction earlier this year so maybe its a bargain.  The Cole bike was restored but largely original, while this one appears to have some of the larger items re-produced.  That’s not a bad thing though, we need to keep these masterpieces running.

It’s a wonderful bike.

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1911 single 7A at Anamosa

1911 model 7A belt drive single at Anamosa museum.  It’s a great place to visit if you need specific restoration or reference information.  For this particular model they had a very good restored version and an original paint survivor.

 

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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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