The late 1920s were significant era in the street motorcycle market. Profits were more and more aggressive for the downsizing customer base. Automobiles, especially the Model T and later on, the Model A, were the more desired form of transportation for the entire family of the day. Above loomed The Great Depression, that would have a devastating effect on not just the financial state on the whole, but on the motorbike business in particular.
Thus, the debut of the 29' HD 45" DL in 1928 (new models are normally launched the year prior) couldn't came at a worse time. What is impressive is the fact even with the deck so stacked against it, this Harley model could get by, succeed, and continue to be being made over the 1973 model year (its final form being the Servi-Car).
In Jerry Hatfield's great book "Inside Harley Davidson", he was thinking that the "Development of the Harley -Davidson 45" twin possibly began earlier than most thought. At that time, Indian was having great results with its Indian Scout model, and the 45 was an answer to that success. Manufacturing started in July of 1928. But by November, nearly all issues were well in hand, and Davidson would go on to build 6,222 that very first model year. Model Ds, model DLs (a hotter version of the D), and model DS (sidecar use) were all presented in the 1929 model year selection.
The featured bike owned by Jeff Cetnar, who actually ended up saving it from an old barn . It appears his good friend ran a road crew back in 2006 and wearing a Harley-Davidson T-shirt when a gardener stopped to inquire if he was considering an old Harley. He followed the gardener home, checked the bike, and passed the tip on to Jeff, who went right over and acquired it on Christmas Eve. The motorcycle was fragmented in lots of portions across the barn, and after he compiled all of them, took all of it home. As he assembled it together, it turned out to be about 90 percent complete. Not bad for a start line for a rebirth. As luck would have it, John Sells had just released a new handbook, The Restoration Guide for Your 1929-1936 45" Twin, which is the bible on repairing such types of motorcycles, and Jeff kept it at his side every step of the way.
Impressive as it could sound, He reconditioned the bike in only 5 months, working hard nights and weekends. Jeff was really so tired that, when he got it all pieced together, he shut his garage door and just didn't return for a few days. When he originally purchased the motorbike, still it had the license plate run on the street to it, a New York state plate dated 1948. So, to this day for 58 years, the bike came back on the street in better-than-new condition. The Harley gods are pleased!
Thus, the debut of the 29' HD 45" DL in 1928 (new models are normally launched the year prior) couldn't came at a worse time. What is impressive is the fact even with the deck so stacked against it, this Harley model could get by, succeed, and continue to be being made over the 1973 model year (its final form being the Servi-Car).
In Jerry Hatfield's great book "Inside Harley Davidson", he was thinking that the "Development of the Harley -Davidson 45" twin possibly began earlier than most thought. At that time, Indian was having great results with its Indian Scout model, and the 45 was an answer to that success. Manufacturing started in July of 1928. But by November, nearly all issues were well in hand, and Davidson would go on to build 6,222 that very first model year. Model Ds, model DLs (a hotter version of the D), and model DS (sidecar use) were all presented in the 1929 model year selection.
The featured bike owned by Jeff Cetnar, who actually ended up saving it from an old barn . It appears his good friend ran a road crew back in 2006 and wearing a Harley-Davidson T-shirt when a gardener stopped to inquire if he was considering an old Harley. He followed the gardener home, checked the bike, and passed the tip on to Jeff, who went right over and acquired it on Christmas Eve. The motorcycle was fragmented in lots of portions across the barn, and after he compiled all of them, took all of it home. As he assembled it together, it turned out to be about 90 percent complete. Not bad for a start line for a rebirth. As luck would have it, John Sells had just released a new handbook, The Restoration Guide for Your 1929-1936 45" Twin, which is the bible on repairing such types of motorcycles, and Jeff kept it at his side every step of the way.
Impressive as it could sound, He reconditioned the bike in only 5 months, working hard nights and weekends. Jeff was really so tired that, when he got it all pieced together, he shut his garage door and just didn't return for a few days. When he originally purchased the motorbike, still it had the license plate run on the street to it, a New York state plate dated 1948. So, to this day for 58 years, the bike came back on the street in better-than-new condition. The Harley gods are pleased!
About the Author:
For any specific motorcycle of any kind, it is inevitably really important to put on defensive gear such as motorcycle helmets, and motorbike apparel and motorcycle shoes. Make sure these products are built from superior quality materials to be sure you get a cozy and risk-free journey!
No comments:
Post a Comment