 1926
Harley Davidson 21" Model B - Barn Find
Engine # B11802
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 $4100USD
including crating delivery worldwide
ex New Zealand Seller:
Greg Cooney
Okay first off, I'm not an expert on Harley Davidson's by any stretch of
the imagination, this is the first one I have owned, so forgive me if I'm
vague on the finer details, my expertise is with Indian Motorcycles -
Harleys arch rivals for many years! |
 This 1926 Harley
single, (of
'Peashooter' factory racing lineage) captivated me so with its original
patina and that it resembled the Indian Prince single, that I purchased it
about two years ago from a friend I was in the army with, it was his
deceased fathers for as long as he can remember. Since then I have
accumulated another 4 major indian projects that will occupy me for the next
100 years or so but I need the room now! - so sadly I must let this one go.
What's she like?, Well extremely sound, inside and out, a lot of
the original olive drab paint even remains on underside of the sheet metal.
Tanks are very solid and useable, still oily film inside, no rust, some
dents, original factory and dealer decals remain. see pictures.
Both wheels are good and true with tight spokes. Hubs and bearings
(including steering head) feel good and smooth, with no play. Very straight
unaltered frame, forks and handlebars. Gearbox feels positive and selects
all gears. It has a wonderful appearance, a look that exhumes character to
the extent it may be a shame to cosmetically restore it. Would like great up
on the wall in a bar or workshop. A light, non ferric, rustic look covers
everything but no pitting so would clean up easily. Front fender a little
rough at the rear bottom edge, otherwise all good except the primary cover
which is in the worst condition.
What's been done?. The son of the previous owner recalls the
engine being rebuilt within the last decade or less. It has good compression
(or did before I removed the head gasket and upset the cam timing!). So I
removed the head to inspect it, as from the exterior condition it seemed
unlikely, BUT as the pictures show, its all pristine in there with shiny
honed bore and no signs of starting since it was rebuilt. I suspect he
wanted to preserve the character of the machine, the selection of used crank
and drive pins, plus cages and roller bearings in the parts box indicate a
crank-up rebuild has been done. Also removed the timing cover, all cams,
lifters idlers and pinion gears are there and in good order also.
What's missing?. Apart from bits and pieces like the odd linkage and
bell crank, the obvious ones are lighting and electrics, tires,
battery box, coil, distributor cap, filler caps, fuel and oil lines, dash
cover, kicker return spring, floorboards, right side pedal brace and brake
pedal. Exhaust system. This stuff can all be got from ebay or places like
The Enthusiasts
click the smaller images for more detailed look... |
Additional
parts provided
There is a box of spare parts that also go with the machine, consists of
dash panel, cylinder (bad seats) with valves, a piston and conrod, three
additional conrods, one with piston, gearbox main shaft, engine and gearbox
sprockets, output gear, footboard brackets, speedo drive bracket?, battery
box strap, brake drum (useless), various linkages, nuts bolts and other
fasteners, used flywheel pins, roller cages, valve spring and more. Plus a
nice copy of a factory original handbook.
Consult the Nada Price Guide -
1926 Harley Single, Model B
Check twenties Harley parts for this machine on ebay here.
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here is a look at
what its potential is, also will help identify missing bits.
click the smaller images for more detailed look...
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