1912 8D Build
While the 8XE is away with the paint and plating people, I thought I should do a check on the parts I have collected for the 8D. Most are correct original parts, but some not.
I got the motor after being approached by a guy at the start of the Pioneer Run in 2016. He told me that the Harley Davidson Club of Great Britain had identified it as a 1911 based on its VIN. Well the numbers are all good but AB denotes 1912 not 1911. I have worked hard to determine the differences between the 1911 and the early 1912 motors (50ci) but can not find any differences until the changes later in the year which became the E model (61ci). It has the wider 2″ belt and an open magneto.
The right hand tanks is correct for 1912 and came from the Veterama Swap Meet in Mannheim. The other tank is also a right hand and but from a single cylinder model. I am hoping I can use the incorrect part to fashion a left hand replacement part, hopefully keeping the name decal section.
The fenders are also original pieces and also came from Germany. They are correct parts but may need a little massaging.
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These great forks came from Dewey at Early Harley. They are reproductions but look the part perfectly and fit great. I have original top covers and original rockers so when the patina is sorted they will enhance the overall look. The internals are a mix of original and repop. The Alemite grease fittings are the later 1914 type, I need to do a trade – anyone?
This original oil tank and tool box came complete with all the fittings when I got the motor. It’s a lovely part and the matching door is also original; it came from Dewey again.
The original rear stand came of a 1914 I had some years ago.
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This lovely frame also came from Dewey Rice. It hasn’t been drilled for the motor yet and one or two other jobs will need attending when it is matched to the rest of the bike. It’s been rusting away over the last few months and will need some oiling to match the original parts being used.
I went to the Davenport meet a couple of years ago to collect these repo bars that Tom Faber had made for me. They are lovely. But before I had even collected them I found these original bars complete with spirals, internals and cables. What a find! The new bars join my pile of parts for sale…later.
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This original rear hub has been fully rebuilt and came from Mike at Antique bike in Sweden. He has also supplied the rear rim. The two belt sheaves shown will be cut and welded together to create the wider 2″ version I need. I will have the spares sides if anyone needs them although the remaining narrower pieces will need a section welding in between them, a slightly more difficult job.
Original seat posts, pedals and other small parts collected over time.
The exhaust is all original apart from one end section. Some nice linkages and pipes.
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I’ve started a few jobs on the older 12 (8D) because I am still waiting for various items that are stopping me from starting the 8XE. It will be a side project until I get the other assorted bits back.
I got this great frame from Dewey Rice. It comes complete with the the top motor mount that will need attaching later. First job though was to drill holes for the lower mounts. We laid the frame on wooden blocks and supported the motor front side with blocks to keep it parallel to the down tubes. The top holes were drilled first (slightly undersized just in case) and then the motor re-fitted. That done we set about the lower two holes. Straight forward and simple. The bolts shown are just some we had on the shelf. We will look at the top mount in the future.
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The forks also came from Dewey Rice at Antique Harley. They have a great shape and profile and with a little more work in the rust department will match the frame well.
The internals came from Comp Dist and I have a nice set of original rockers and top caps. The grease (Alemite) fittings are 1914 on but they will suffice for the time being.
December 2022
I am still waiting for the first of the 10F parts to be returned from the polisher and plater. It’s been that long that I decided to put the 8D back on the bench and continue there.
The 8D is mostly all there but many of the parts need attention or repair. All the parts are slowly being built together to determine what next needs to be done. I have fitted the reproduction left side gas tank now and the next job will be the handlebars and their internals.
