strap tank harley pops up at Oley!

[silentgreyfello]

Heard from a guy that was there that a cobbled-together homemade motorbike with a strap-tank motor in it showed up at Oley. Rumor has it that it layed there for 4 hours before a guy from Florida knew what it was and bought it for 6k! Apparently the Harley-Davidson on the cases was ground off. I would love to see some photos if anyone has some.

[c.o.]

Oh, photos would be cool! Hopefully Rob and Lucy made it to Oley!!!

[LouieMCman]

I heard through the grapevine that it's Dale Axlerods from FL. Damn this internet thing is great.........

[exeric]

When I first read Silentgreyfellow's post, I thought of either Dale Axelrod, or Dave Clemons. Whenever I see them at a car, tractor, or bike meet here in Florida, I figure the good stuff is gone.

[silentgreyfello]

Dale got it. Good for him! Someone said 1906. PHOTOS ANYONE?

[EricOlson]

I think Matt Olsen may have some pictures of it over at his sight. http://oldbikesinsd.blogspot.com/

[c.o.]

Thanks for scaring that up Eric. Mmmm... eight bolt.

[jurassic]

It was a really good time. I think finding 1823 probably made the meet. As far as I know there were only 12 eight bolt motors known to exist, and now there's 13. My list showed that the earliest VIN number of known eight bolt engines was 1835, so this 1823 engine is now the earliest known eight bolt, and also the earliest known harley VIN number because six bolt engines dont have VIN numbers. Its also interesting to note that the 1823 engine had the VIN number stamped in 5 different places on the outside of the engine, which is like other eight bolts. So the question is , when did the first eight bolts come out of the factory? If we can figure that out then we will know what year this engine is.

[silentgreyfello]

Lonnie, with the number 1823, can it be assumed it is still 1907, or are you thinking late '06? It seems to me that the logical point from one model year to the next 1906-7 would be the break point of 6 bolt to 8, and also the introduction of the ealry sager fork. Perhaps the numbering started in 1907 with 1800? It is kind of odd that it would start anywhere near that number, though, when the total production prior to 1907 was well under 100 units from the beginning, even by HD's often embellished count. The other oddity is why they would grind off the "Harley-Davidson Milwaukee" from the cases. Is it possible that Harley also sold motors for others to build motorbikes? I know the Comet motor in JP's bike is very similar, but not exact.

[c.o.]

I believe early on H-D sold engines for whatever application you wanted to use them for. I just don't know for sure how long they did this though. The lack of lettering has me a little puzzled. I guess it's time to hit the books!!! Man, that was a great find. It just goes to show that there could be more stuff that has yet to be uncovered.