the first Harley's

[jurassic]

[jurassic]

i remember a while back earl had said that he thought that the bike in this picture {taken around 1918} was the same bike that harley now has.the one they call the 1903 first model.it seems likely,as the factory was actively seeking out these early bikes.if so ,then it would appear that the bike was not actually a pieced together hodgepodge.but started out as a pretty nice example of an early 6 bolt bike.

[jurassic]

[jurassic]

the picture above is a picture of the lobby bike taken in 1963. if this is the same bike as in the 1918 pic,then it has seen alot of "restoration",and looks like it was generally mistreated.and someone took away her tires too! i've spent hours looking at the 2 pictures and it does appear to be the same bike.is there any photos of this bike between the years of 1918 and 1963?

[Tommo]

Lonnie,
I've got a framed photo of the museum bikes that was taken ,as far as I know, in 1951.
It was sent to Dad by Bill Ottaway and I have the letter that came with it that is dated 15th June 1951
It shows what I am sure is the same bike at the head of the line and it has a 1904 date on the front number plate.
If you like I can have it taken out of the frame and copied for you. Lets know if you want me to do that.

[jurassic]

hi tommo,i'd love to see the picture,can you post it? thanks ,lonnie