early transmission identification

[lazlobassett]

I have had this trans knocking about for years and decided to have a look and figure out what exactly it is.
I'm hoping someone here can help. on the bottom it has M 13 cast into it, 35-17 stamped and F17817 stamped on the side of the case. Sure appreciate the help!

Matt

[Robert Luland]

1917 Harley J

[lazlobassett]

Thank you Robert. Yesterday I came across a 1926 J motor, which came home with me, that is what got me looking at the trans. Have you a reccomendation on a good reference book for these bikes? I know about nothing about the earlier bikes and suddenly feel the need to learn

[Robert Luland]

Matt, start by joining the JD Yahoo chat forum here: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/harleyjd/
You will find tons of useful data and photos. Manuals are temporally starting to dry up since Antique Supply went under but boon shows most of them on his site. Weather he’s got them or not is a different story. The printing presses will start again because the demand is there. Bob L

[exeric]

Matt, you're not going to find much information on J era Harleys but a good reference book is Jerry Hatfield's 'Inside Harley Davidson'. Mark Masa has talked about doing a book on J's, and I hope he does as he is very knowledgeable on that era.

[MMasa]

Matt, you're not going to find much information on J era Harleys but a good reference book is Jerry Hatfield's 'Inside Harley Davidson'. Mark Masa has talked about doing a book on J's, and I hope he does as he is very knowledgeable on that era.

Thanks for the plug Eric.
Yes, I'm working on that book but in the mean time, feel free to ask any question.
Mark Masa

[lazlobassett]

I sure appreciate the help here. I got a copy of the Hatfield book from a friend this afternoon, I saw where the transmission was widend in 1925 by 5/8" which I guess means my '17 trans won't work?

i kinda think I'd like to build one, not necessarily all totally correct but some thing that can be ridden and works, that being said, I see what is advertised as a '29 or '28 frame on the Bay http://www.ebay.com/itm/290741098453...84.m1423.l2649 is the link. Would that work? Also listed are tanks from replicant, might be a good buy too?

Thanks more!

Matt

[rwm]

no that frame will not work. your best bet is not to build a bike around a tranny. buy a more complete bike. and rebuild it or re condition it. i know in today's time it can be real hard to pull $5,000 -7,500 out of your pocket for a project bike to tinker with. i wrestled with the thought of a part here and a part there. all that does is get you in the hole real fast $100 at a time. go to the swap meets and talk to guys. see has something for sale. you may not see all they have ask if they have more.with the price of gas and the risk of damage to the bikes a lot of vendors don't bring projects with them. the frame for sale has a cast piece that sits below the motor. your tranny is for a frame that has just the frame tube below the motor. you can contact the guy selling the frame you see. he just may have a few project bikes to un load. or he may just see this post and tell you here.

[lazlobassett]

test? i made 2 responses that don't seem to show up

[23JDCA 808]

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