1912 Harley-Davidson Model 8A Single Engine no. E4848B

1912 Harley-Davidson Model 8A SingleEngine no. E4848B
• Two-time entrant in the modern Cannonball across America events• An easy entry into '19teens' motorcyclingHarley-Davidson has been a very fortunate company. The founders had determination but more importantly, every advancement of their fledgling motorcycle company was based upon logic. Each year saw an evolutionary change in their product and not a wholesale overhaul. Decisions made sense and the motorcycle business prospered. The first production motorcycle was the successful 28.6ci F-head single with an atmospheric intake valve that propelled Harley-Davidson into the history books. This basic 3-1/2 horsepower engine design remained through 1908. The following year, displacement was upped to 30.16ci with this configuration lasting through the 1912 model year. Magneto ignition became optional in 1909 requiring a different engine case to support the ignition device. The motorcycles were beginning to lose their 'antique' look when the gas tanks were elongated to cover the frame opening. In 1910, a belt idler was introduced, something the company probably wished they had for their plagued 1909 twin. The 1912 model year brought about many changes. A new frame lowered the seat height and improved the looks of the motorcycle plus a new Troxel saddle was mounted on a sprung seat post. The roller chain was made simpler to adjust with a new eccentric pedal crank adjuster, allowing the leather drive belt to remain undisturbed. Up front the Sager-Cushion spring fork still took the jolts out of the road as they had done since their incorporation in 1907, and the front fender received a valance to keep both bike and rider mud free. A Free Wheel rear hub clutch became available which allowed the rider to engage a clutch for smooth lurch-free starts rather than pedaling down the road while tightening the drive belt. Finally, the oil tank was moved to under the saddle. This was also the final year of the 30.16ci engine, evolving the next year into a larger motor with mechanical intake valves. Price when new was $235. This Silent Grey Fellow was built by Dave Kapton of Lodi, California starting in 2008 and finishing in 2010, and then ridden by him in the 2010 Pre-1916 Cannonball Run which started in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and finished on the Santa Monica Pier, California. He completed about 60 percent of the 3,300 miles. In 2015 the bike was purchased by the vendor who entered the 1916 Motorcycle Cannonball. He ran about 20 percent of the distance because of the atmospheric intake valve being defeated by the very steep hills. He notes that the bike can easily be converted to a mechanical intake vale system, the parts for which are included with the bike. The bike remains with its Cannonball patina, and comes with a spare engine, a repro Eclipse clutch, a rebuilt magneto, spare belts, and a pair of 21-inch wheels with brakes.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.