by Buzz Kanter, Editor-in-Chief
What’s the oldest motorcycle you have ever seen? How about the oldest you have ever ridden? I’ve owned a lot of motorcycles since that first minibike my brothers and I got in 1971. I could only afford one used bike at a time and I’d buy, fix up, and ride each until I could trade up for something better or newer. I was interested in Harleys, but they cost more than I could afford. So I had to be content with riding friends’ Harleys when I could.
Fortunately that all changed in the late 1980s, when I was lucky enough to find a couple of ancient Harley JD V-twins for sale. One machine was a very rough and incorrect 1929, the other a fairly correct-looking 1924 model. Neither ran, and the 1924’s engine was frozen. These were the first and second Harleys I ever bought. Sensing it was the right thing to do, I cleaned them and left the original paint 1924 alone as a display in our offices for a number of years. The 1929 Harley JDH “Two-Cam” had been obviously repainted and modified. I was lucky to have the late Mike Smith redo the engine and transmission, and my pal “Wild” Bill Eggers did the rest of the project. This rare and stunning bike now sits in my office where I can admire it every day. The 1924 is another story. After sitting in my magazine offices with the stuck engine, my pal Dale Walksler (from Wheels Through Time) offered to get it running, which he did in 2004 for its 80th birthday. After I got it back in running condition, I was nervous about riding a motorcycle so old.
Compared to my Panheads, which I ride a lot, this 1924 Harley JDCA looks and feels like a basic bicycle with an engine strapped on. The frame and forks are fragile, the old clincher wheels have a reputation of flinging off the skinny tires, and Harley did not offer front brakes in 1924. Besides, I found the bend of the handlebars more like a wheelbarrow than a motorcycle, and very difficult to steer with. In the five years since Dale replaced the bent valve and got it running, I doubt that I’ve put 10 miles on this old Harley. All that changed a few months ago. I was invited to ride this bike at the front of the parade around the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course to celebrate the AMA’s 85th anniversary during the Vintage Motorcycle Days event to support the AMA Hall of Fame. As a member of the AMA Hall of Fame, I was honored to ride a motorcycle from the year the AMA was founded, so I knew I had to make sure the motorcycle was up to the task, and that I was, too.
I dug into the history books and online resources to research my 1924 Harley JDCA, as I wanted it to be as correct and dependable as possible. In my research I discovered, among other things, that my Harley had an old Indian Linkert carburetor with aftermarket air cleaner, and a newer Harley VL primary cover. I found the correct Schebler carburetor at an Antique Motorcycle Club of America swap meet, and a correct 1924 primary cover online. Tom Faber of Faber Cycle told me how to bend the original handlebars on the bike, so they would be more comfortable for me. About two months before the event, I brought the bike and parts to my friend Dave Fusiak’s Flat Out Vintage Motorcycles shop. Dave said he didn’t usually work on motorcycles that new, but would see what he could do. A few weeks later Dave called to say the motorcycle was finished, and I should come over and ride with him around the neighborhood. And that’s what we did, Dave on his original paint 1917 Harley J, me on the original paint 1924 JDCA. The ’24 handled and ran great, and I figured I was ready for the AMA event a few weeks later.
Pulling into the AMA event in the American Iron Magazine truck with my old Harley in the back, I felt like a million bucks. It seems everyone there wanted to know the same things: How old is it? (1924.) What’s it worth? (Don’t really know or care.) Is it for sale? (No.), and How’d you get it? (I bought it more than 15 years ago.) I was delighted with how many people enjoyed seeing the 85-year old motorcycle and how surprised most of them were when I’d fire it up, often on the first kick, and ride it around on the pavement, the dirt and gravel, and eventually on the racetrack. Many assumed it was there as a static display piece. Over the three-day AMA weekend, I’m guessing I put at least 30 miles on that old Harley and discovered how much I enjoy riding it. I have to wonder what took me so long. After all, I’ve owned it for more than 15 years and am finally really appreciating it for what it is — a wonderful old machine. I’ve posted a number of photos and videos of the bike at
www.CAIMag.com if you’re interested in learning more about it, or other classic American motorcycles.
Ride safe, ride smart, have fun.
Nov. 09 - Discovering My 1924 Harley JD 
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