UPDATE: This 1912 Harley-Davidson Model 8 motorcycle, so adroitly profiled by Jeff Bennett in April 2024, has cropped up for sale here on craigslist, with a $75,000 price tag. Thanks to Nevadahalftrack for spotting the ad for us! The seller has still not attempted to start it. Meanwhile, we found this sale of a similar machine – though restored – at Mecum last year. It achieved a price of $77k. Do you think an original example, albeit a non-runner, should be valued the same as its restored sibling?
From April 13, 2024: Sometimes a vintage vehicle is more than an older form of transportation. Examining how the vehicle was built and operating it can provide a window into its time. This 1912 Harley-Davidson Model 8 for sale on eBay is an amazingly original motorcycle built in that fateful year that the Titanic sank. Wouldn’t you like to have a glimpse into what it was like to be a motorcyclist 112 years ago? If so, you had better talk to your bank. Bidding on this single-cylinder time machine is currently sitting at $52,100 with five days left to go in the auction. As intriguing as this motorcycle is, is the price out of line with the potential experience?
While everyone remembers the year 1912 as when the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage, there were other noteworthy happenings. This was the year that Woodrow Wilson was elected President of the United States. His policies would have far-reaching effects on both domestic and international history for decades to come. It was also the year that the Ottoman War broke out as a warm-up for World War I. Paramount Pictures was founded that year and Massachusetts became the first state to enact a minimum wage. Perhaps most remarkable was the eruption of Novarupta that happened in Alaska that year. It was labeled as the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. Have you ever even heard of Novarupta? Doesn’t it sound kind of important?
1912 was also right in the middle of the time when automobiles and motorcycles were just starting to be plentiful and reliable enough to start replacing horses as basic transportation. The proliferation of machining technology made it possible for manufacturers to spring up all over the place. There were numerous enterprises making automobiles and motorcycles, and it was sort of a “Wild West” economic atmosphere. The manufacturer may be there tomorrow if you need parts, or they may not be. It took consolidation through financial and market forces to thin the herd and set America up transportation-wise for the next century.
While Ford and General Motors get credit on the automobile side for driving out the weaker competitors and producing the cars America needed, the same could be said for Harley-Davidson and Indian on the motorcycle side of the equation. Harley-Davidson, founded in 1903, was gaining popularity and market share with their single-cylinder and V-twin motorcycles. As you can see from the photographs, Harleys were still very much designed and engineered more as powered bicycles than the true motorcycles they would become. This is evidenced by the pedal and chain arrangement used to get the motorcycle going until the leather belt can be engaged to enjoy the gentle propulsion made possible by the 30 cubic inch single-cylinder engine. Looking closely at the picture above also reveals the simple design of the engine and the relative precision of the casting and machine work done back then to make these reliable machines.
The seller tells us that this particular Model 8 is equipped with a rare battery ignition and belts out four horsepower. Before laughing, that is probably close to the power put out by the electric bicycles that seem to be proliferating everywhere today. Back in 1912 road conditions were a lot more rustic. Four horsepower provided sufficient thrills, and that small engine was frugal on the low-octane gasoline that was available at the time. Another argument for low horsepower would be the lack of efficient braking on motorcycles of this era. Motorcycle racing was very popular at this time, and those brave souls managed to race at breakneck speeds with no braking whatsoever in many cases.
Unfortunately, the engine does not currently run. We are told that the engine does turn over, but the owner hasn’t made any effort to return this motorcycle to operation. It still wears its original paint and striping. The patina on all of the metal parts indicates that this motorcycle is not a cobbled-up parts bike but one that is close to how it left the factory. Perhaps this goes a long way towards explaining why the price is so high.
In all, this is a highly desirable early Harley-Davidson that could surely be put back on the road with little time and effort. Riding it in an isolated area that isn’t overloaded with modern reminders is probably the closest you can get to going back in time to 1912. The sounds, sights, and feelings you would experience motoring down the road are irreplaceable and about as far as you can get from riding a modern Harley. Progress is nice, but living in the past, even for a brief time, has its merits as well.
I’m on my way, just a simple call to the credit union to line things up,,uh huh, uh huh, I am? Oh boy, apparently, I’m $52,000 short, and they won’t cover me. Must be tough trying to decide where to spend daddy’s money on.
Tires must be much more recent. Which is OK.
Never got near to one of these cycles. Were they as ‘tricky’ as crank-starting a car? Would you risk a shin if the engine caught quicker than your reflexes?
Actually more tricky. My grandfather use to me about riding his. It had a spark advance that had to be operated while riding it.
I love it, but way to expensive for me, I’d make it ridable, leave everything else as it is. And it would live in my living room, comming out once a week for a a ride through the neighbourhood.
I’m hearing you on that, a mate of mine, got divorced, retired and bought himself a Harley, but he went one step too far, he bought “skins” of fake tattoos, and I’m not going to mention he bought a “Hairdresser’s” Merc CLK.
Good catch, Michelle-must be why it caught my eye this time too.RE:your restoration vs originality question, this is so clean I’d prefer it to one completely restored-get it running and as Aussie Dave said ride it through the neighborhood on the weekends, but ride the restored one on the(except for this year) annual Cannonball https://motorcyclecannonball.com/
You’re on thin ice with a comment like that, at least to Harley riders. When I had my FXRT, I hung around with a lot of bikers, and to my surprise, they are really just regular folks, looking for attention. I think your helmet comment is a bit harsh, however, remember these are someones loved one, and sadly,( or luckily) many people have a 2nd chance at life due to the lack of safety measures taken by bikers. I too look at all 2 wheel riders now with a different attitude. While I always wore a helmet on a motorcycle, I didn’t on my bicycle, and learned my lesson on that. I see these people zipping along on their E-bikes, and think how foolish can you be, but until the gubment steps in to protect us, it still boils down to survival of the fittest.
I take one look at this bike and “cringe” when I see all of those uncovered belts just waiting to catch your pants leg in them! Will pass on this scary bike!
Only if you intend to ride this in a dress or bell bottoms.
So someone bought this about six months ago and it’s back on the market for probably $20K more? Well whatever. The bike is a museum piece according to the seller and I certainly agree. I doubt that it will ever get back on the road again. The risk of crashing this very expensive piece of history is one thing a prudent person probably won’t undertake. I would like to see it close up as I imagine a lot of people would. Just the pictures in the advertisement stir my imagination to what it must have been like to ride this 112 years ago. There was a 2016 TV mini-series called Harley and the Davidsons that was about how they started out and grew. I think it is still available for streaming. I enjoyed it. The riding of these early machines was not for the faint of heart. And racing them was that much more scary. I currently ride an e-bike. It tops out at about 22 mph. Plenty fast for me. And yes I wear a helmet. It ain’t leather like 1912 either lol. Thanks BF.
I’ve never owned a Harley, I don’t think I’ve ever even ridden one… at 70, I prefer Yamaha on the street and Suzuki on dirt. But you sound like you have a serious case of Harley envy, son. And I’ll bet you a shiny new nickle that you don’t laugh AT all those Harley riders.
so much better than a pristine freshly painted restoration Wouldn’t change a thing
It ran when parked.