Vintage Harley

[Greeny]

I am thinking about buying a late 30's or 40's Harley for the odd road trip, and as an investment. Any experts on here have any advice as to which model to go for or avoid?
The budget is adequate.

[hedgefinder]

depends on your budget and what you are used to riding....
remember 30s and 40s bikes are all hand shift foot clutch bikes.

[hedgefinder]

personally I would be going for a late 27-29 JD
or a Late 35-36 VLD/VLH.
The prices have risen considerably in the last 5 years or so.. but still have plenty of room to rise considerably further...
I am looking for one myslef as it happens lol..
I am interested in any JD or VL model as I have a load of engine cases so could build one into whatever model I wanted.

Edited by hedgefinder on Sunday 22 March 12:25

[Greeny]

Thanks for that. I have seen a nice restored 38 750 flat head, asking price 15k.
I think this is a bit over priced, do you have an idea of values?

[casbar]

Why don't you try asking on a Harley forum, where there are actually owners. Try the HDRCGB, a lot of our members have vintage Harley, there is also a vintage meet and section. There are some really knowledgable people on there.

[hedgefinder]

Greeny said:

Thanks for that. I have seen a nice restored 38 750 flat head, asking price 15k.
I think this is a bit over priced, do you have an idea of values?

750s are far less desirable than big solo twins..... go for a big twin, my advice... lots of 750s are well overpriced especially WLC/WLA civilianised models..although a prewar model would be more interesting, its still no substitue for a big twin. Ealry harleys dont have frame numbers but they do have year specific enghine numbers and trhe engine case halves are numbered in pairs...so go always look for a nice clear factory stamped engine number and matching belly case numbers - always pay attention to the engine number boss on the case and be confident that it hasnt been filed down and restamped. Matching numbers massively effect the value to any serious "collector".
It is more difficult with Indians as they have engine and frame numbers which again were matched.... a hell of a lot of restamping goes on - especially in the USA where "restored bikes" that werent previous number matching bikes prerestoration always seem to end up "numbers matching" afterwards.

[hedgefinder]

also worth mentioning on bikes from trhe era mentioned is to check the headstock/neck of the frames for any previous mods as a lot of bikes with springer front ends suffered the fate of being choppered and raked etc when they were cheap used bikes a decade or more on.

[Greeny]

Useful replies guys, thank you. I have joined a Harley forum , but no replies as yet, as usual PH comes up trumps

Edited by Greeny on Sunday 22 March 14:08

[hedgefinder]

in all honesty you will probably get 101 people with massively over priced WLA and WLC models civilianised and covered in chrome trying to sell them to you ..

If you are interested in a small twin there has been a restored DL on ebay for months now for £12500...which I personally thought was a tad optomistic... with 1200cc Jds only a few thousand more and likely to rise in value quicker...

[casbar]

Greeny said:

Useful replies guys, thank you. I have joined a Harley forum , but no replies as yet, as usual PH comes up trumps

Edited by Greeny on Sunday 22 March 14:08

Like I said, try the Harley Davidson Riders Club GB. I have just looked and can't see a post from you, so not sure which forum you have joined. You can post on ours as a guest, but its polite to introduce yourself before you start asking tech questions. There is a thread ongoing at the moment where a chap is restoring a 45

[hedgefinder]

I can see it, just above the 45 restoration thread....

[hedgefinder]

stating that the budget is "adequate " isnt really helping matters...
an early knucklehead will be substantially more expensive than a WLA, or any 45, as will any VL or JD.

[hedgefinder]

A better bet would be to try the Antique Motorcyle Club of America and become a member, usually a few vintage bikes for sale on their members forum now and again.

[aeropilot]

hedgefinder said:

stating that the budget is "adequate " isnt really helping matters...
an early knucklehead will be substantially more expensive than a WLA, or any 45, as will any VL or JD.

[Willhire89]

Can I suggest you speak to these guys:

http://www.yesterdays.nl/harleydavidson-m-22.html?...

They are really helpful and will do a deal plus of course the Euro is weak.

I have no other connection other than being a very happy customer

[srob]

Willhire89 said:

Can I suggest you speak to these guys:

http://www.yesterdays.nl/harleydavidson-m-22.html?...

They are really helpful and will do a deal plus of course the Euro is weak.

I have no other connection other than being a very happy customer

I'd second the above, the Montgomery came from these guys and they really are top chaps and have some incredible machinery.

[Greeny]

Well this is what I have got. 1947 1200 UL.
Modified a bit, but original parts also came with the bike, so I can return it to standard if and when. I know the history of the bike, and the past 3 owners, so feel happy with it.
Not every ones cup of tea maybe, but I love it
Thanks again for the advice guys

Edited by Greeny on Friday 27th March 12:00

[aeropilot]

Greeny said:

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn462/greeny290...
Well this is what I have got. 1947 1200 UL.
Modified a bit, but original parts also came with the bike, so I can return it to standard if and when. I know the history of the bike, and the past 3 owners, so feel happy with it.
Not every ones cup of tea maybe, but I love it

Definitely my cup of tea

And a UL as well - very nice - very jealous
(I'd prefer less chrome, but that's me really knit-picking tbh )

[Hooli]

I'd prefer a narrower front wheel, but it's damn lovely that