What a blast it was today to ride my mostly original paint 1924 Harley JDCA around the neighborhood today. I have owned this bike for almost 20 years but with a frozen engine (bent valve) for more than half of that. About 10 years ago my pal and expert wrench Dale Walksler (of Wheels Through Time museum) tore into it and got her running. We followed it in the pages of American Iron Magazine - the world's best selling Harley magazine.
Since Dale got her running I don't think I have put more than 5 miles on her in total. When the AMA Hall of Fame (I am honored to be a member of it) asked me to bring the old Harley and lead the parade at their 85th anniversary celebration at Vintage Motorcycle Days the 3rd weekend in July I said yes.
Then I remembered I haven't really ridden it much and figured I'd better get it sorted out and running strong before I rode it out in public in front of thousands of spectators.
I dropped it off at a pals' shop last month and he went through the issues I pointed out and he found a few more I didn't notice. I picked it up 2 weeks ago and rode it around his neighborhood for a mile or two. It sure was fun but a handful to ride.
This morning I had some free time so I took it out for a ride. The big event is less than a week away and I wanted to boost my confidence in the 85 year old Harley-Davidson V-twin.
I pumped the tires up to about 35 pounds each, checked the oil and gas and it fired up on the third kick and idled down nicely. Along with my pal Dean (on his "modern" 1958 Harley Panhead) I carefully rode it around a big circle of about a half mile in the neighborhood. Each loop I increased the speed until I figure I got up to about 40 miles per hour on the short straightaways.
Now that my confidence was up Dean and I decided to ride into town - about a mile away and visit the car & bike fans that usually hang out at the local coffee shop. We rolled in and Dean told me the old Harley looked and sounded terrific but that it was smoking on the down shifts. I replied this is not so unusual as I believe it was still running the original rings and pistons and figured they were very well worn. besides, the smoke adds something to the old bike on the road.
One of the guys at the coffee shop walked over to admire it (he drove in with a stunning E Type Jaguar) and we chatted about the old bike. He was impressed that someone was actually riding the 85 year old Harley on the road (so was I!)
After we rode back I asked Dean if he wanted to try it out. Now Dean's experience on a Harley handshifter is limited to a pair of ride on my old 1948 Harley Panhead and neither lasted more than 5 miles. So this was a big deal. I must say Dean handled himself like a pro. He hopped right on asked a few questions about the clutch and hand shifter pattern. Then he depressed the foot clucth, slipped the tranny into first and off he went. I followed at a safe distance on his 1958 Panhead. He did a couple of loops around the neighborhood and rolled it back into my driveway with the world's largest smile.
He said this was one of the most exciting things he has ever done on a motorcycle and would remember this day forever. It made me feel wonderful that he enjoyed the bike so much and that he didn't do any damage to it the week before I need to showcase it at the AMA 85th Anniversary celebration in Mid-Ohio.
If anyone on this Harley forum is planning on being at Mid-Ohio next weekend for the AMA's 85th Anniversary celebration or for the Vintage Motorcycle Days event I hope you get a chance to check out my 1924 Harley and say hi to me.
Now that Dean and I have put another 5 miles or so on the bike I feel much more confident in riding it next weekend. Wish me luck as I will be leading dozens of newer and faster motorcycles around the world famous racetrack.
Rode My 1924 Harley JDCA Motorcycle Today 
Nice Jeep in the background, looks like the one Hawkeye and Trapper used to drive! 
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