Highlights

One of the most popular pre-Flathead Harley-Davidsons
Not ridden since being totally restored
Part of an important collection of historic motorcycles since 2017
Eligible for the VMCC Banbury Run

The Appeal

Romantic types tend to talk about Harley-Davidsons as a two-wheeled embodiment of the American Dream, a key to the open road and the freedom that goes with it. Such talk brings to mind images of big Electra Glides dripping with chrome being ridden from town to town by ‘Wild One’ characters with no particular destination, but the relative importance of the Model J was far greater. Where the Electra Glides et al symbolised the freedom of the road, it was the Model J which, for many people, actually made it a reality for the first time.

The 1000cc, F-head, V-twin Model J was introduced in 1915 and remained in production until 1929, introducing thousands of people in America and around the world to personal mechanised transport whereas previously, if they were lucky, they knew no other weans of movement besides horses or their own foot-power. If, as an American struck with wanderlust, you couldn’t afford a Model T Ford, Harley-Davidson had you covered.

Today, quite a number of Model Js survive and parts are well catered-for in America, although they are unsurprisingly much rarer than later models. They have a charm of their own – a simple, functional, rugged charm which is diluted a bit in the bulkier Harleys of the 1930s onwards – and we’d be very glad to make space for this in our garage.

Having been meticulously restored from a total wreck, this Harley-Davidson now looks lovely and we’d be itching to put the first few miles on it. Can you believe that, since restoration, it hasn’t been on the road? After completion, it was sold into a private collection where it has spent the past six years on static display. It deserves to be seen and appreciated, so we’d strongly encourage you to place a bid or two and then head to some motorcycle rallies this summer, where any Harley-Davidson is sure to be very well-received.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in Fife in March 1923
Earliest history is from 1974, when the Harley was owned by Mr. Iain Huddleston of Blairgowrie, Perthshire
Purchased by the previous vendor sometime in the 2000s in a deplorable state, dismantled and covered with dirt and rust, and then painstakingly restored to as-new condition
Purchased by the vendor in 2017 and placed on static display in his collection of historic motorcycles
Sold with the current V5, the logbook from 1974 and a few ‘before’ and ‘during’ photographs from the restoration

The Condition

Outstanding paintwork
Seat and other leather-covered parts in like-new condition
Some light patina acquired while in storage

If you’ve been looking admiringly at the photographs of this bike, you can rest assured that your eyes do not deceive you; it really is as good as it looks. The restorer was obviously experienced and knew exactly what they were doing, because the finished product looked just as it might have done when leaving the Harley-Davidson factory in 1923. The paint was and still is exceptionally good, and everything has been done with an eye for detail and correctness.

Unfortunately, the vendor does advised that while in storage, damp seems to have affected the engine and some of the unpainted components. The result is by no means problematic – a bit of patina can be a very nice thing – but if you want a concours bike then you may just have to spend a few evenings renovating it.

That slight patination aside, the Harley-Davidson is still very close to perfect. The seat appears as if still brand-new and the leather-covered cables look equally fresh.

The Mechanics

Believed to have received a full mechanical restoration
Not ridden since the restoration
May need some light recommissioning

This bike might be 100 years old, and if you’re not familiar with 1920s motorcycling technology you might have to take some time to acquaint yourself, but if you intend to get out on the road with this bike then you needn’t let its age deter you. The 989cc V-twin is a big, powerful lump and the Harley ought to keep pace with modern traffic without breaking a sweat.

While we haven’t had an opportunity to see the bike run, we expect it to be in extremely good shape mechanically because it obviously received extensive restoration of the various mechanical parts and we can only suppose that the work was done to the same exacting standard which is so much in evidence on the cosmetic side.

The remarkable thing, really, is that since the restoration was completed the bike has not been used on the road, which obviously means that the mechanicals should not have suffered the slightest wear and tear, although it does also mean that the engine may still need to be run in.

From wheeling the bike around, we believe the rear brake to be in good working order. The front wheel, of course, is unbraked.

The Summary

This is a beautifully restored example of the bike which arguably made Harley-Davidson’s name. Very rarely seen in Britain, it has a character all of its own, being much bigger than most contemporary British bikes, and will be sure to generate lots of interest at rallies.

Having been restored from a wreck and then kept in a private collection, this is still very much an ‘unseen’ bike, so we feel it’s high time it was enjoyed as part of the rally circuit. A spot of light recommissioning may be in order, which ought to be a pleasant, straightforward job for a few warm afternoons, and then you’ll be ready to enjoy Vintage motorcycling with a real head-turner.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.

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