Harley-Davidson sits with Ford, Coca-Cola, Apple, and a handful of other companies among the most recognized American brands. It took Harley a long time to get to that position, 121 long years. They got there by offering well-built motorcycles that were evolutionary rather than revolutionary. For example, this 1921 Harley-Davidson JD motorcycle for sale on eBay in Oceanside, California is the perfect picture of an early twenties Harley. Looking at the picture of this motorcycle you can see both Harley’s past in the shape of the gas tank and Harley’s future in the new 1921 JD engine. This barn find relic is, amazingly, a running and driving example that is either awaiting restoration or a new owner to find all the missing pieces and reassemble them. Would you like a vintage Harley to ride and enjoy? Is the current bid of $19,000 market correct for this motorcycle? If not, what do you think it should sell for?
We are going to need some help from the Barn Finds community on this one. According to the seller, this is a 1921 Harley-Davidson JD Model F. In doing research for the article, I have found some sources claiming that the JD was an engine introduced in 1921. Another source said that it was new for 1922. All of the sources said that the JD displaced 74 cubic inches. To add to the mystery, the seller states that it is also a Model F. Once again, internet sources say that a Model F displaced 61 cubic inches. Can anyone tell us the correct make, model, and displacement of the engine for this particular Harley?
Once we get past the identification part, this motorcycle has a rather interesting story. The seller tells us that it came out of a long-term collection. While it looks like it has been sitting since “Silent” Calvin Coolidge last sat in the Oval Office, the seller was gutsy enough to try to crank it up. It is equipped with a magneto, so no battery is needed. The fuel system and points were cleaned, and the spark was found to be strong. A little gasoline was added, and this bike fired right up! While these are simple machines, it must have been a thrill to start something up that had been sitting so long. With a set of tubes and tires, the motorcycle triumphantly returned to the road, as you can see in this video. Notice that the V-twin sound of this bike isn’t that far off from the sound of a new Harley.
Once the seller’s fun was had, they did do some light cleaning of the motorcycle. The seller tells us that there appears to be original paint and a Harley logo underneath the grime. However, they were wise to be very gentle and stop before they went too far. While a motorcycle in this condition and of this has traditionally been restored to new condition, there is a large contingent of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts who don’t believe in anything other than cleaning a bike like this and restoring it to operation. Scrubbing on the gas tank of a motorcycle like this could easily wear off any logos on the tank. It needs to be cleaned up by a professional who is skilled at bringing out the original finish without doing any damage.
There are a few missing pieces here and there, such as the headlight. There are pictures out there on the internet of these motorcycles with acetylene lights and those with battery-powered headlights. Once again, if anyone can tell us which one is called for in this case, please let us know in the comments. Regardless of which headlight is correct, the good news is that the vintage motorcycle community is filled with folks who work together to trade and sell parts to assist each other in completing restorations and refurbishments. They also like to get these old motorcycles back on the road too. Whoever buys this Harley needs to sign up with the Antique Motorcycle Club of America if they are not already a member.
In all, this is an awesome relic of the early twenties that still has a lot of life left in it. Hopefully, it ends up in the hands of someone who will enjoy it and ride it often.
The venerable JD. Yep, take this one an park it on my driveway. I’ll go out and gather up the pieces to make it whole once again. Sorry, but if it was in my collection it would come down to the bare bones and get restored to rider quality. I don’t care what anyone says, Rust is rust, and it’s metal deterioration. It’s going to be around a lot longer than I will so I will endeavor to fix it up so it’s ready for the next caretaker.
It’s too bad that these bikes are so far out of my budget that I can’t even fathom taking this one home.
It seems to me that the “F” designation is for a 61 CID. I met a couple of dedicated JD riders from CA who could tell you every last detail but if they were still around they would be in their 100s.
I met them in Sturgis, back in ’81. They rode a couple of JDs with sidecars, the frames of which were set up to allow the outside wheels to lean in a curve, making the twisty roads a lot more negotiable. I’ve got a couple of pics somewhere but unfortunately cannot find them at this time. I know that Easyriders had pics of them when they did the Sturgis run back then. I’m at a loss as to finding that issue as well.
Stuff put away to make room for kids and grandkids. Need to get reorganized. It’s going to be interesting to see the looks on my daughter’s face when the grandsons start looking at those old magazines…
Probably Flxible sidecars. An interesting story, including the spelling.
I was there too in ’81! I have pictures of those three (?) guys and their leaning sidecars. I camped in City Park, the last year that they let you camp there, Fish & Fry Campground after that.
How did we ever ride Shovelheads all that way? I still ride my ’79 FXEF, just not as far anymore.
Hi DR. Those guys were former ‘Booze Fighters.’ I remember the one guy’s name but the other one completely slips me. Too bad, my memory is like a rabbit’s tail: short and fuzzy.
Sturgis, back in the days before everything went stupid. Riding in all sunburnt and bug-splattered. Turn the corner and there’s Main, four city blocks with a row of bikes down each side and two rows down the middle. Go there today and you got a bunch of sidewalk commandos, along with the glorified versions (the ones who can afford the latest riding creations), clad in their shiny leathers and starched bandanas, backing their flawless bikes out of the climate-controlled trailers. Trying to look and sound tough but couldn’t fight their way out of a wet paper sack.
City Park? Had buddies that stayed there but it was too loud for the rest of us. We always stayed at the “Covered Wagon Resort” further south along I-90. They had showers and a place to eat.
Oh, the memories: Gunner’s Lounge, the Nite Owl, Buffalo Chip Picnic. The Races; Races? I came there to party.
Shovelhead? Completely circumvented the Continental US on mine. Still had some Wisconsin road construction mud on the cylinders when my brains fell out and I sold it. A few trips to Sturgis on that. Back in the days when the beer was cold…
I was also there in ‘81. Went a few more times but 1990 was the last I think.
Geomechs, might those two guys have been Lance Tidwell and John Cameron?
Hi stu. Yes, that sounds like them. They had been on those bikes for several years, not to mention all the miles they had ridden on other ones…
Geomechs, yes those two were very famous in their day. Here are a few things I think I remember: Those guys were into all kinds of things. John Cameron had a 1920 something AutoCar he worked as a dump truck in Southern California when it was a late model truck. Wheels of Time (the ATHS magazine) once did an article on him and the truck. He’d done countless upgrades over the years such as balloon tires, repowered, etc. We ran into his son (living in Arizona at the time) showing that actual truck at an ATHS meet in Colorado Springs about 2008 or 2009. John’s grandson Todd now has the truck and it’s back in SoCal as far as I know.
Todd Cameron is an active member of the AMCA and won the 2023 Motorcycle Cannonball on a 1909 Indian single. He and my son know each other and it’s quite likely the bike you saw in 1981 Sturgis is STILL in the family.
I’m pretty sure either Lance or John was at Steve McQeen’s estate auction at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas in November 1984. I was aware at the time they were legends but was a little too shy to start a conversation. That time was a reference point for me right up there with once being at a buffet in Wendover during Speed Week and seeing Ed Iskendarian holding court in a dark corner as a small table full of gear heads hung on his words.
Yes, history is being made every day. There are people very good at what they do all around us. We have to be humble enough to watch, listen, and learn—rather than trying to impress others with what we know.
Those who complain about the young people and lack of ones interested in this or that aren’t really being fair. We Baby Boomers are the big bulge in the pipeline and there just aren’t as many people (period) behind us. There are new generations already surpassing us in so many ways. Many are interested in some of the same things we are. It’s up to us to encourage them, give them more to work with. We still have something they don’t have and can’t buy: perspective.
Take care my friend. I always enjoy your postings.
Stu
Stu, if I didn’t learn anything else in this life, it was to pay attention to others, especially those who were older than myself. Our ranch headquarters was just on the west side of the old hometown. There was a gravel quarry just west of us. One contractor was out there regularly and he drove his truck past our place many times a day. You could almost set your watch by him at 10:00AM or 3:00PM because he was a regular at the local coffeeshop. I was always tinkering with something in the shop and when the hauler (Toode, was his handle) drove by at those times, he would stop and motion for me to get in. I was 14 when he introduced me to Coffee Row, and 56+ years later I’m still a part of it, although I’m a few more miles away. During lunch break or spare periods in school, while most of my friends were over at the arcade, I was at the coffeeshop listening to the stories.
I’m glad I listened to, and got to know some of those old guys. They’re all gone now, replaced by my generation, and being infiltrated by the next (2) generations (and counting). I managed to remember some of the stories which I managed to write down and share on my blogspot. One day I hope someone will remember our stories, write them down and share them…
Geo, where is your blogspot?
Hello again, Stu. Try “gearheadsncoffeestains.blogspot.com.”
My first trip to Sturgis was 1982 and had my heart set to stay in city park and found it closed, ended up at this place called Buffalo Chip, it offered an outhouse and a chip board cold water shower. There was a JD with a side car on the main street ridden by a man of about 85 wearing a cow hat and I do remember the plate was from a couple of states away, it ran well, no oil smoke and started with 1 kick. As a 24 year old I don’t know which impressed me more the bike or the rider. Who would have believed after more than 100 years this bike is still running.
Also there were 5000 people in Sturgis that year.
American Pickers
Awesome piece of history. I love the concave reliefs in the tank for the external pushrods. I can’t find the brake!
Thats because they didn’t come with a front brake until later in HD’s history
I’ve been looking (and looking) at that headlight and can’t see where a wire or a tube would go.
I’m absoultely no expert on these but with the knob and lever on top of it I wonder if it could be a horn.
Anybody know?
I found a couple of references online and it looks like the headlight is missing and someone added on a horn in its place. I guess it could have come that way new but I’m no expert either so I have no idea. Here’s a link to one with the headlight:
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1673216
Having a 1918 fully restored when I look back at what I did I would never would have done it I would have kept the patina much more value in the history and I’m not talking monetary value here. What you see on there is a horn which works with a lever on the top which you would push down. That machine never would have had electric lights they run off magnetos it would have been a calcium chloride light. With a tank full of calcium chloride on the handlebars and a flame in your headlight can imagine going down the road back in the day at a whopping 15 25 miles an hour if you dared at night giving what the roads were.
My wife says I can buy it as long as I buy a matching one for her.
Love this bike. I with I could buy this bike.Leave history alone. Its perfect the way this bike is .
Love that drive-by video.
Contact Mike Wolf of American Pickers, he’ll know what to do with it!
Sure, sell it wholesale or less and let him make the money. No thank you. Here’s plenty of resources to help you
Mike Wolfe sold off a lot of his motorcycle collection about a year ago.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/columnists/courtney-crowder/2023/01/09/american-pickers-star-mike-wolfe-sell-antique-motorcycles-mecum-auctions/69786136007/
This bike sold at Mecum on January 16, 2024, so I guess we’re looking at a flip.
SteveRM, If you zoom in on the best head on shot of the “headlight”, there a nut or bolt head in the center of what would be the “lens”. I think you’re right, this is a horn, or perhaps a partially disassembled Calcium Carbide headlight? Very interesting.
justpaul Another thing I noticed is the way it bolts together around the center like it’s holding a diaphram for a horn.
So Admin.. I need some clarity.. if someone is a paid member they can post pics (which I knew), but are they also the only ones allowed to post links? I’ve put in a few links in prior days and weeks and my messages mysteriously disappear afterward.