Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
29th Mar, 2023 12:00
c. 1916 Harley Davidson 16F
Beautifully presented 106 year old Harley
Estimate
£33, 000 - £37, 000
Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: Not visible
Engine No: 5895
CC: 989
MOT: Exempt
Authentically restored Harley now over 106 years old
C. 1916 3 speed magneto model fitted with Carbide lights
Unfortunately no documents have been found with the bike
Harley Davidson was established in Milwaukee in 1903 by boyhood friends William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson and has gone on to become one of the world's most iconic and longest-running motorcycle manufacturers. Harley epitomise large-capacity cruisers that many have tried to copy but have never managed to match Harley's image and prestige. In February of 1907 they displayed a prototype model at the Chicago Automobile Show with a 45-degree 880cc V-twin engine, not many V-twins were built between 1907 and 1910 but by 1913, as the capacity gradually increased, the majority of bikes produced were V-twin models. The company's biggest step forward, in the early part of the last century, was the introduction of a 3-speed gearbox in 1915, that stayed in production until 1936. In 1916 Harley moved away from its traditional Pale Blue and Grey colour schemes and started finishing its bikes in Olive Green.
This stunning looking model is from a deceased estate, so unfortunately not much is known of its history, displayed and dry stored for many years it will need recommissioning before use. It wears the number plate 'NA 7554', that would have been issued in the Manchester area between 1913 and 1919, whilst it matches the age of the bike no paperwork has been found to back this up. It appears to be a 1916 16F model with its kickstarter, 3 speed gearbox, magneto and carbide lights and has been authentically restored at some stage in its life, even down to the tyre pump attached to the rear carrier. This is a rare part of motorcycling history and once recommissioned would make a fantastic bike for either display or use at veteran and vintage events.
