classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => American Bikes => Topic started by: mr.mennens on October 15, 2008, 01:39:38 PM

Title: Harley Davidson 1923J Fully restored
Post by: mr.mennens on October 15, 2008, 01:39:38 PM

Hi guys,

i have a question...
what do you guys think of this bike:

Harley Davidson 1923J
The bike was bought in 1923 by mr. Jacob van der Lely, a car mechanic, living in Maasland (The Netherlands).

During the war, the bike has been disassembled and the parts were hidden on the attic of a farm in Maasland to prevent it from being apprehended by the Germans.

Mr. v.d. Lely was at that time a car mechanic at the transportation company fa. Van den Akker and sons. Mr. v.d. Lely sold the bike to me in 1957.

The transportation company does no longer exist and mr. v.d. Lely passed away in 1962.

Specifications:

Make: Harley Davidson
Year of assembly: 1923
Type: 23 J, Pocket-Valve
Cylinders: 2
Displacement: 1.000 cubic cm (36 cubic inch)
Identification number: 15795 (on the carter bottom left)
Transmission: manual, 3 gears
Wheelbasis: 59"(149.9 cm)
Wheels: (heel)tires 27" x 3 ½" (68.6 x 8.9 cm)
Brakes: No brake on front wheel (was an option at that time), double drum brakes on the rear wheel (internal and external on the drum).

Motorcycle has been disassembled and restored, repainted and reassembled to make it running again. Painted in original colors. All parts are original.
(http://www.taboe-goirle.nl/space/HD5.jpg)
(http://www.taboe-goirle.nl/space/HD9.jpg)

i hope you guys will give me some feedback on this!
is it sellable, where should i look, and what can i expect?

grtz
Mr.Mennens

Title: Re: Harley Davidson 1923J Fully restored
Post by: Martin_UK on October 16, 2008, 08:00:24 PM

Hello,

Yes it is sellable try www.yesterdays.nl as they will give you a dealer's valuation and may be interested in buying it. Ebay has these early 20's HD's on from time to time with values ranging from $15-25,000 US for concours examples.

By the way the front brake wasn't optional in 1923 and was only introduced on HD's in 1928 and the cubic capacity is really 61 cubic inches not 36.

Regards,

Martin

Title: Re: Harley Davidson 1923J Fully restored
Post by: mr.mennens on October 17, 2008, 12:35:56 PM

Thanks for your reply!!
It seems I made a calculating fault .. thnx for noticing.

I also checked out yesterdays.nl, nice site!

Title: Re: Harley Davidson 1923J Fully restored
Post by: Buzz Kanter on December 20, 2009, 05:38:36 PM

Other than the head light it looks very correct and good. I have an original paint 1924 Harley JD and can tell you what great riding machines they are.

Lots of photos of it on the Classic American Iron site at www.caimag.com