The Old Sage: "My" First Bike

Several fellows have asked me, "What was your first antique motorcycle?"

That's the way it all started. While on a "junking trip" in Oklahoma, my brother-in-law and I were asked if we would be interested in a complete motorcycle? The man said there was one in the "round-top" barn that we could see near the horizon. After several miles of driving, we finally turned into the driveway of the farmhouse we had seen. The widow lady who answered our knocking said that, "yes, she had the old machine that belonged to her husband, but it was in bad shape." We looked at it, and tried to buy it, but it was not for sale at that time. The machine was a 1914 Harley twin cylinder, single speed. The engine was out and the engine number checked out to actually be a 1913. While visiting with the widow, she mentioned that her son was in my home town looking for a job. I obtained his number, gave him a call when I returned home and ended up giving him a job.

About a month later I was able to buy the Harley and take it home. The son only worked for us for about a year, but his cousin whom he recommended, worked for us nearly 10 years.

The Harley was eventually completely restored, mostly by making the necessary engine parts it needed, repainted correctly, and ridden by me for several years. I made a place for my youngest son to ride over the rear fender. We ventured down to the edge of Oklahoma several times, but never did ride it up to the farmhouse where we found it. I have not ridden it for several years now. I felt that it needed a new crank pin. While looking thru a V-Twin catalog a few years back, I found one listed. I sent for it immediately and have had it on the shelf all this time. We have enjoyed immensely having this Harley in our possession and at this time have owned it for 45 of its 95 year life. That's it for now, see you later. Ride safe.

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