OT Need help to ID classic motorcycle w/pic

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EJ70

Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

Found a photo of my Grandfather on his motorcycle. The picture is very old. I was wondering if anybody could ID his bike. Growing up I always heard what a dare devil he was. It was nice to finally find a picture of him with it. Thanks for any help.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

Think it's a old hd. late 30s early 40s maybe

 

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Frank 41

Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

I don't know but I have a neighbor that could tell you in a heart beat. I would guess it would be an Indian.

 

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RayP(MI)

Well-known Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

Looks a lot like the photo I have of my dad and his Harley Davidson. Wish I could post it. Would have been taken in the early "20s.

 

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the flying belgian

Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

Looks Harley to me.

 

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BillOHIO

Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

My Uncle rode Indian Cycles. Can't see writing on tank clear enough but I am also leaning towards Indian ? Any more pictures ?

Take me a day or so to try to find picture of Uncle on cycle. Can't ask him as he has been gone for years.

Bill

 

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tiresntracks

Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

Looks like an old Harley flathead to me, gearshift on the tank, suicide clutch. If you look close, I think that you can even see the word Davidson on the tank.
Its cool to find old pictures like that. I have an old picture of my grandfather and his brothers with their horses. They look like the James gang! Harley hadn't even started making motorcycles yet when he was born.

 

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Tom in NE

Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

A co-worker has this mid 40's police Harley...it looks real similar. He rides it to work on rare occasions. Notice where the shifter is located on these old Harleys...up to the side of the gas tank.
Tom

 

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AScheele

Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

looks like a harley to me. Anyone else notice the rifle laying on the ground in front of him?

 

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old-9

Well-known Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

Harley 45 google for pics.
joe

 

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Mark - IN.

Well-known Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

One thing is for sure. Both Harleys and Indians used Linkert carburators, but that snorkel is Harley's. Looks to be a WL, but can't see the jugs or heads.

Mark

 

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tiresntracks

Member

• Dec 29, 2013

• #1

No doubt that one's a Harley. Look at the puddle of oil under it!
Seriously, that's a really really nice bike.

 

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JerryS

Well-known Member

• Dec 30, 2013

• #1

The first motorcycle I ever rode was a Harley very similar to this one, with the side shifter and the suicide clutch. As I recall instead of springs or shocks on the front, it had large rubber bands that looked sorta like fanbelts.

 

OP

OP

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EJ70

Member

• Dec 30, 2013

• #1

Thank you guys for all the information and comments. I will do some more research on the net now that I know which make/model to look for. Good pick up on the rifle laying on the ground. Bikes weren't his only interest.

 

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larryanderson

Well-known Member

• Dec 30, 2013

• #1

Theres a reality show called Whats In The Barn that features old rare bikes.I think I can read Harley Davidson on tank those were common in 30s and 40s.Indians were the other popular bike but it looks to have two words.You would be surprised at what some of the old bikes sell for.

 

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

• Dec 30, 2013

• #1

My brother had an Indian Chief with 3 speed shifter on tank and clutch on left floor board, like pic. Indian made a smaller scout. I think the chief was a 74 and scout was a 45 cubic inch motor, both were flat heads. I'm leaning towards a scout and because there is only one word on tank, Indian.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Dec 30, 2013

• #1

It's a Harley-Davidson model "VL" and it is probably a 1933, no newer than '34 for sure.

 

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dr sportster

Well-known Member

• Dec 30, 2013

• #1

It is Harley everything except the primary cover looks odd.Tell him not to lay his rifle on the ground like that.

 

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Tom in NE

Member

• Dec 30, 2013

• #1

Hey. It's not dripping oil....it's marking it's spot. (grin)