Beschreibung:

The year 1909 marked the appearance of Harley-Davidson’s first v-twin, though it was not until the adoption of mechanically operated inlet valves in 1911 (replacing the ‘atmospheric’ type inherited from the single) that production really took off. Known by the sobriquet ‘pocket valve’, this inlet-over-exhaust engine - built in 61 and 74cu in capacities - would remain in production for the next 20 years. The need to make better use of the engine’s power characteristics, particularly for sidecar pulling, prompted the introduction of a two-speed rear hub for 1914, by which time chain drive and a proper clutch had been adopted. Later that same year a conventional, three-speed, sliding-gear transmission with ‘step starter’ was introduced on the top-of-the-range version of the twin which, with full electrical equipment, was listed from now on as the Model J. The Harley-Davidson v-twin offered here is an example of the three-speed, magneto-equipped Model F, which when new was priced at $30 less than the Model J. Purchased in 2005 from an antiques dealer in Derbyshire, the machine belongs to and has been fully restored by Black Bear Harley-Davidson, one of the UK’s leading authorized dealers. Carried out in their fully equipped workshops by qualified Harley-Davidson technicians, the work included frame strip and repair; fork re-bushing; complete engine and gearbox rebuild/recondition; rear brake re-engineer; seat recondition; new nickel plated exhausts; new bespoke handlebars, etc. The motorcycle has been painted by Keith Baker of Classic Cycleworks using paint and processes in keeping with its era. It is not known when it was converted to ‘board track racer’ specification. Presented in 1st class running condition, the machine is offered with sundry invoices, current MoT/tax and Swansea V5C registration document.