1920's Harley Davidson, what model is it?

[robertg304]

This is the only photo we have of my grandfathers Harley Davidson, which he bought new in Holland, we think sometime around 1924-1925.
It also had a side car.
Any ideas of figuring out what model it was, would be great.
Unfortunately, it was considered junk in the late 1940's and was sold 

[R]

Unfortunately, I don't think that is a 20s Harley of any model.
There is not a single feature which matches up ?
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/59/a7/91/59a79124f2c308f8aa569a84f3427dff.jpg

It looks to me to be more like something English, possibly with a (smaller ?) JAP sidevalve engine.
You can see the 'fircones' above the side valves.
Something like perhaps a Zenith, although there are numerous similar looking bikes of the era.
Forks and tank shape are similar too. (?)  Front mudguard is different though.
https://www.yesterdays.nl/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Zenith-1924-350-JAP-1.jpg
This may be a year or 2 too early to match your bike though, design features moved on rapidly back then.

[robertg304]

thanks for the reply.  Apparently it was a brownish color

[cardan]

Hi Robert,

Not many brown motorcycles in the 1920s - but it was the stock colour for New Hudson. Your grandfather's bike is probably a 1924 model, 350cc "Tourist". I've attached the only photo I could find of the left side of a similar model - from 1923 - which has a slightly different rear carrier. The 1924 is a better match. The distinguishing features are the gently sloping top frame rail, heel brake pedal, angled spark pug at the top rear of the cylinder, and foot boards swept up at the front. There was a similar 500cc model, but I don't think this is it.

In the period New Hudson offered a sidecar for their 350: not something we'd think of doing these days. But nice and flat in Holland!

Cheers

Leon

[R]

Well spotted that man. !
My knowledge of brown motorcycles would fit on the back
of a postage stamp, with room to spare.

This pic could be close to that year/model even ?
Footpegs rather than footboards though.
New Hudson made their own engines, it would seem.

[cardan]

My knowledge of brown motorcycles would fit on the back
of a postage stamp, with room to spare.

It's ok: my knowledge of brown motorcycles goes New Hudson, James, NUT, mmm....

Leon

[mini-me]

Brown bros the motor factors sold bikes under their own name, strangely, Brown.