1915 Harley-Davidson Model J Goes Coast to Coast
Daily Slideshow: At over a century old, this 1915 Harley-Davidson Model J is as good as new.
Mile-Maker
This 1915 Harley-Davidson Model J competed in the inaugural Motorcycle Cannonball in 2010. A coast to coast endurance run for pre-1916 motorcycles, the 2010 route started in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and ended in Santa Monica, California. The Model J went the full 3,294 miles in sixteen days — all without a breakdown.
Photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
Road Worthy
Lonnie Isam Jr., founded the Motorcycle Cannonball with one intention — to keep antique machines out of museums and on the road. The Cannonball is a grueling endurance race that pits riders and machines against the clock. Out of the forty-five machines that set off from the east coast, only ten made it to California under their own power.
Race Machine
Introduced in 1911, the F-head was one of Harley-Davidson's first V-Twin engines. Proving to be a resilient design, the motor was manufactured until 1929. This particular Model J features new connecting rods, valves, and Truitt and Osborn flywheels in matching crankcases. Mounted on the right-hand side is a DLX20 1.25-inch carburetor with an air horn and an M racing intake manifold.
Modern Shift
Harley-Davidson touted over a third more power for the 1915 F-head — along with twenty-nine other refinements. The most notable advancement was the introduction of a three-speed gearbox and primary case clutch. This setup pushed Harley-Davidson into the modern-era of motorcycling. The design proved so successful it was employed until 1936 when it was replaced by the Knucklehead's four-speed transmission.
Automatic Drip
Another innovation for 1915 was the automatic oil pump. Previous models required owners to set the oil flow by observing drops through a sight glass. The new, automatic pump, removed the anxiety of performing this critical procedure. The oil tank was now located along the top left frame rail and featured an auxiliary hand-pump should the rider want to splash even more oil over the bearings.
Light Upgrade
In 1915, Harley-Davidson replaced the acetylene-burning carbide lamps, with electric lighting systems. For added reliability, this Model J has also been upgraded with a Morris solid-state ZEV magneto. The headlight is an ultra-rare original 'jeweled' headlight that has been retrofitted with internal LED bulbs. The white box is a paper scroll map with a hand-crank advance knob — a 'contemporary' way-finding device.
Trek Prep
In preparation for cross-country travel, this Model J has received some unique enhancements. To help start the high-compression motor, a 1916 transmission complete with kick start pedal was fitted. Drop-center rims were installed, enabling the use of modern tires. For visibility, a rear brake light with an internal battery was added. Lastly, a 2.5-gallon aluminum auxiliary gas tank stretches out the Model J's range to 190 miles.
Build Quality
This age-worn Model J can go the distance. Including a perfect score at the 2010 Cannonball, it has competed in a number of other endurance runs, taking first place at both the 2013 Pewter Run and the 2013 Kickstart Classic. It is somewhat inconceivable, but a testament to the quality that this one-hundred-year-old antique motorcycle is still a dependable riding machine.
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