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Creating a 1916 Harley-Davidson from only an original engine

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Recreating a historic Harley-Davidson racing model without the original parts except the original engine. Believe it or not, it’s been 118 years since the foundations of the company we now know as Harley-Davidson were laid. Somehow, the company managed to get through two hot world wars, a cold, long one, and more near-death experiences that we care count. Such a long history means there are more models in the company’s past than in its present (and some, might argue, more than in the future). Some are so old it’s literally impossible to come across one, and people have to turn to all sorts of gimmicks to get their hands on a historic model. Like the guys behind this build did. Trying to bring back one of Harley’s historic racing models, a Swedish museum by the name of MC Collection got their hands on an original motorcycle engine from 1916 and built a bike around it, trying to capture the essence of what was once the Model 11K racer. The engine belonged to a Model F, and was slapped inside a full loop frame constructed (together with the forks) by former German road racing cyclist Christian Henn. The frame presents itself just like it did on the original Harley of more than a century ago, in the so-called keystone configuration, with stressed members and steel engine plates. This way of building racers gave them better handling but, perhaps equally as important, allowed for the cylinder to be removed with the powerplant still fitted on the bike, allowing for quick intervention during races, if they were required. This 1916 Harley was put together in Sweden more than a decade ago, and in the meantime it made it to the U.S. It was listed as for sale during […]

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Rare unused CZ Motorcycle at Mecum auction

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com This CZ Motorcycle Arrived in New York Decades Ago, Was Left Untouched Say you read these two words: Ceska zbrojovka. For an English speaker, they are tongue-twisting, and they probably don’t mean that much either. Except, perhaps, if you’re into firearms. Or motocross machines. That’s because the Czech company by that name makes products for both these worlds. As far as motorcycles go, people know the company best as CZ. Present mostly on the European market, the moniker reached American shores in the 1970s, forever changing how motocross racing was done. For instance, a racer by the name John DeSoto won the 1970 Elsinore GP on a CZ bike. That is just one of CZ’s achievements; the nameplate holds six Motocross Grand Prix World Championship titles (consecutive ones, won between 1964 and 1969), but is also responsible for impressive wins in enduro. Presently, finding a new CZ motorcycle is almost impossible, as they don’t make them anymore. One has to look long and hard just to come across such a two-wheeler with a few miles on it. But what if we told you the one you see before your eyes, although almost half a century old, is literally brand new? Over the years, we’ve come across machines that could have easily been described as virtually new, but this one is literally so. As in, the thing has never ever been ridden, and it still comes in the original factory crate it was shipped to the U.S. in. It is the complete package, with all the packing plastic and oiled paper, and even an original spare parts list. We stumbled upon this incredible piece of motoring history on the lot of motorcycles that are going under the hammer this week in Las Vegas. Sadly, we don’t

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Mecum motorcycle auction returns to Las Vegas

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from https://www.reviewjournal.com Mecum Auctions’ annual vintage and antique motorcycle auction will take place Wednesday though May 1 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, featuring an estimated 1,750 motorcycles. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the event is recognized as the largest global gathering of consignors, buyers and spectators who share a passion for the history, beauty and camaraderie invoked and inspired by vintage and antique motorcycles. Among the 13 collections currently consigned to the auction are a total of 386 consignments, of which 325 are offered at no reserve. Private collection highlights include 96 offerings from The Dick Ray Estate Collection—which includes BSAs, Nortons, Triumphs and many others at no reserve—and another 90 no-reserve offerings from The Stephenson Collection, including a historic 1929 Douglas SW5 Speed model. The J.C. Burgin Collection is another main attraction assemblage slated to sell in Las Vegas, and this group of approximately 50 motorcycles stands as one of the only collections in the world to contain at least one example of all 12 of Harley-Davidson’s famed Knucklehead series. From the 1936 Harley-Davidson EL and the ultra-rare 1943 Harley-Davidson E Model, all the way up through the 1947 Harley-Davidson FL, all 12 model years of the venerable Knucklehead are present and accounted for, all are in stunning condition and all will be offered at absolute no reserve. Another Harley-Davidson highlight among the Vegas auction lineup is a 1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank with an original engine bearing No. 1877. Already one of the most desirable Harley-Davidson models in existence, this example is one of the most correct and original of its kind and has a rich personal history that is well documented, including time on display in several museums and a feature in the book “Heroes of Harley-Davidson.” Included among the six high-quality motorcycles that make up The East

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Cut-Down 1926 Harley-Davidson JD

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Cut-Down 1926 Harley-Davidson JD Is a Throwback to Custom Bikes of a Century Ago Like with cars, ever since motorcycles were born, their stock appearance and performance were not enough for some owners. Attempts at giving machines, regardless of the number of wheels, new capabilities, have led over the years to the many custom shops we have around today, but also to a wide range of styles and visions. Back in the 1920s, motorcycles were already evolved enough to be taken racing. The novel sport naturally attracted lots of fans, including some that wanted to feel on the road at least part of the thrills riders felt on the track. As a result, modifications started being made, and they ultimately began to coalesce into different customization styles. In the U.S., one of the first such styles, considered by some to be the first widely-copied one, was the cut-down. That’s not to be confused with the term that stands for modified Italian scooters from the 1970s and 1980s. Taking inspiration from racing motorcycles, cut-down two-wheelers were made lighter by removing several elements, and visually unique by the elimination of the front fender and the modification of exhaust pipes and headlamps, for instance. These changes were largely performed on the Harley bikes of the age, especially those from the J family. And we have a taste of how they looked like in the 1926 JD model we have here. We found it on the lot of bikes going under the Mecum hammer next week in Las Vegas. It’s described as a “proper period custom with no radical changes to the chassis or engine,” but with all the enhancements one would expect from a cut-down model. We are not given any details on who is responsible for the

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Harley-Davidson XR750 from 1980 on Auction

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Back in 1969, the AMA Grand National Championship rules changed enough that the dominant force of the time, Harley-Davidson, had to come up with something new to replace the KR750 it was fielding back then. It ended up unleashing into the world what was to become the series’ most successful motorcycle in history. XR750 is how it’s called, and it was introduced in 1970 in both flat track and road racing variants. Several big names of the competition rode the model, and managed to earn it 28 of 37 AMA Grand National Championships ran from 1972 to 2008. Last time we heard anything about the XR750 at an official level was in 2019, when Harley decided to use the Jet Fire Orange, the competition colors deployed by the Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track team back in the day, across the company’s racing hardware. But despite this effort, nothing can match in appeal an original XR750. We managed to dig one up as it awaits a new buyer on Mecum’s Las Vegas sale at the end of the week. We’re not being told who was its rider back in the day, but that probably matters little for the ones eyeing to buy it. Sporting the native orange and black of its breed, the bike is ready for the track, it seems, and has even been fitted with new tires, ventilated hubs, rear sprocket and disc, and clean air filters. According to the seller, “track safety inspection looks ok to pass with springs and other updates.” The engine that powers it is the original 750cc unit, sporting the aluminum heads that replaced the iron ones in 1972, The motorcycle is presently part of the George Schott collection, but hopes are it will not be for long. There is

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California Highway Patrol Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead from 1937

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com The California Highway Patrol (CHP) might very well be the most famous American state law enforcement agency. A big reason for that is the “CHiPs” TV series that ran in the 1970s and 1980s and followed the adventures of two fictional CHP officers. Set up in 1929, the organization currently covers everything from highway patrol duties to guarding state officials. And an important element the CHP officers use in performing their duties are vehicles, most notably motorcycles. Presently, most of the two-wheelers serving with the CHP are Harley-Davidsons, with the Electra Glide forming the backbone of the several-hundreds strong fleet since 2013. But the law enforcement agency has always had an interesting love story with the Milwaukee company, and the Knucklehead we have here is proof of that. What you’re looking at is one of about 1,829 EL motorcycles Harley made in 1937. It was deployed since new with the CHP, and thanks to its current owner, who purchased it in 1994, it now looks pretty much as it did back in the day it served. The motorcycle lacks police-related hardware, such as a siren, a two-way radio speaker, and of course the red and blue flashers, but it has the right colors, badge, and the 61ci Knucklehead engine in the frame. The bike is presently part of a collection called John Bernard Estate, and was for a long time on display at various museums, including its present location, the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa. But hopes are it will not be so for long. It is going under the hammer at the hands of Mecum in Las Vegas at the end of the month. The two-wheeler is going with an original historical 1944 California pink slip, but no estimate on how much it

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Harley-Davidson XR750 from 1972 on auction

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com 1972 Harley-Davidson XR750 Evel Knievel Is Not Quite the Real Thing, Comes Close In 2020, Harley-Davidson celebrated the 50th anniversary of the XR750 in style by wrapping the entire racing hardware it fielded, including the team haulers, uniforms, and branded accessories, in the iconic Jet Fire Orange, the competition color used by the Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track team. But other hues are perhaps equally iconic for the model. The XR750 was introduced as a replacement for the KR750 in 1970, and quickly became the dominant force in the AMA Grand National Championships. In fact, the model is to date the most successful in the competition’s history, having won 28 championships between 1972 and 2008. The racing two-wheeler was ridden to success by the sport’s big names, including Jay Springsteen, Mark Brelsford, or Cal Rayborn. But an even more prominent name of the age is linked to it: Evel Knievel. One of the most famous stunt performers in history, Knievel rode the XR750 from 1970 to 1976. On the bike, he set a new world record by making it airborne and literally flying over 19 cars, a stunt that was filmed for his namesake 1971 movie. The record stood for 27 years when it was taken to 20 cars by Bubba Blackwell, also riding an XR750. Like all stuntmen, Knievel identified himself through several iconic elements, including the colors he used on his rides. And in charge of making his bikes and helmets stand out was his favorite painter, George Sedlak. The bike you see in the gallery above is not one directly linked to Knievel but is painted as a replica by Sedlak—after the stuntman retired, the painter began working on such projects on request. This one sports the colors red, white, and blue on

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This 1936 Harley-Davidson EL Was Once Featured on a Miller Beer Can

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Despite being rather old, Knucklehead motorcycles are still around in relatively large numbers, and a good chunk of them still come in excellent condition. It looks as though each and every one of them, either on display in a museum somewhere or up for grabs through whatever means, has something special and unique to offer. In the case of this here two-wheeler, that something special would be notoriety. Aside from the fact you’re looking at a first-year Knucklehead (according to Harley’s numbers, about 1,500 of them were made back in 1936), it was also the star of several high-profile events over the years. It was back in 2003 when the bike climbed the highest on the ladder to success. First, it was part of a massive Harley event in Milwaukee, meant to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary, and then its image was used on a Miller collectible beer can released that same year. The bike is presently part of the John Bernard Estate after being purchased back in 1989. It was restored by Dick Winger, a member of the board of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, and now the plan is to make use of all of these things to get as much money for it as possible during the Mecum Las Vegas auction at the end of the month. Click Here to See Auction Page. The EL is as original as they come, boasting the telltale red and black paint scheme and the 61ci engine sitting inside the frame—for reference, the engine number is 36EL1586. Most importantly, the two-wheeler has barely been used, as the seller claims there are just 40 miles of use on it, though that’s probably since the restoration was completed. The Knucklehead is selling with a title, but no

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Barn Find Hunter Uncovers Treasure Trove Of Vintage Motorcycles

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by Dustin Wheelen from https://www.rideapart.com Access to vintage motorcycles hasn’t been the same during the global pandemic. With museums shutdown and social distancing mandates in place, enthusiasts have relied on the internet to brush up on the classics. Of course, the story is much different if you’re fortunate enough to have a vintage motorcycle collection of your own. For the rest of us, the Barn Find Hunter video series scratches that itch with its latest installment. Presented on the Hagerty YouTube channel, the series lives up to its name. From uncovering a 1928 Ford Model A Roadster in the U.K. to doting over a Shelby GT500 in San Diego, California, host Tom Cotter focuses on classics of the four-wheeled variety. Luckily, the latest Barn Find Hunter episode is the first Barn Find Hunter dedicated to motorcycles, and it delivers the goods. Starting at the residence of Steve Davis, Cotter picks through cluttered garages and dusty storerooms to bring us a trove of rousing relics. Whether it’s Honda’s CT minimotos, Yamaha’s SC motocrossers, or a Hercules Wankel rotary bike, Davis’ collection consists of the motorcycling’s legends and oddities. The North Carolina-based collector didn’t stop with fully-built bikes either. Davis dedicates one full barn to discarded exhaust systems and a pile of cylinders and heads for ‘70s Japanese motorcycles. For some, the dusty, rusty, and bestrewn collection might border on hoarding. For others, the old bikes have aged to perfection. Regardless of your slant, Davis’s efforts are admirable, but they don’t include a Vincent Rapide or Velocette Venom. For that, Cotter travels to Davis’ neighbor. Simply referred to as Robin, the Briton also shows off his Norton Dominator and Tn original Triumph Bonneville. Unlike Davis’s expansive collection, Robin’s manageable stable is masterfully curated and maintained. But, which would you prefer for your

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BigIron Auctions to Host Classic Car and Motorcycle Auction

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Featuring Chevyland USA Inventory and Classic car curator Monte Hollertz vehicles and memorabilia on online auction block, closing May 6. BigIron Auctions announced today it is conducting an online auction featuring more than $1 million in classic cars and motorcycles, original Chevrolet parts and dealer memorabilia from the historic Chevyland USA car museum in Elm Creek, Neb. Monte Hollertz was a Nebraska farmer, turned classic car enthusiast who passed away in Jan. 2020. He began collecting different models of classic cars in the 1960s. Hollertz opened Chevyland USA in 1974 and took over as head curator in 1980. Chevyland USA housed more than 80 vintage vehicles from the early 1900s and newer. With more over 400 items, there is sure to be an item of interest for any car enthusiast or collector looking for items to add to their collection. Among the items included in the auction are: 1915 Chevrolet Baby Grand Touring H-4 4-Door 1922 Chevrolet 490 3Dr Sedan 1925 Chevrolet Superior Series K Roadster 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster 2Dr Coupe 1958 Chevrolet Impala Tri-Power 2DR Hardtop 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS 1969 Corvette Stingray Take a peek inside the museum to see some of items that will be sold during the auction. BigIron Auctions offer buyers an easy-to-use, secure, online platform in which to browse and bid on these classic cars and other items. There are never any buyer’s fees, the auctions are unreserved, and all equipment is lien-free. In addition, we provide complete transparency between the buyer and seller. To view the items included in the auction, please visit the BigIron Auctions site when the auction opens for bidding on April 15, 2021. The auction will close on May 6, 2021. NOTE: Interviews are also available for media who want to learn more about auction items or are interested

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