LOT 151
Land Speed Racer 1915 Harley-Davidson Model F Twin Engine no. to be advised
Sold for US$7,475 inc. premium
Lot 151
Land Speed Racer, 1915 Harley-Davidson Model F Twin Engine no. to be advised
The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction|23 January 2020, 12:30 PST|Las Vegas, Caesar's Entertainment Studios
Land Speed Racer
1915 Harley-Davidson Model F Twin
Engine no. to be advised
1915 Harley-Davidson Model F Twin
Engine no. to be advised
· Neat bringing together of a Model 15 and Harley Hummer
· Thought to be a landspeed record bike, not a boardtracker
· The bike weighs only an incredible 140 pound
In 2013, Paul Ousey was at an AMCA (American Motorcycle Club of America) swap meet in Oley, Pennsylvania, with friends Dale Walksler and Buzz Kanter, when they spotted this bike. 'Close examination revealed it was a 1915 Harley motor mated to a Harley Hummer transmission, with a custom-made, rigid, racing frame, a Hummer front end, front and rear wheel hubs with 18-inch drop center rims. Fuel is carried in an aluminum JD-style tank with gas and oil compartments and domed cut outs in the right tank to accommodate the IOE (inlet over exhaust) motor.' 'There was 125A hairpin-mounted seat with custom embossed basket-weave leather work positioning the rider atop the frame, and a bobbed aluminum rear fender. A Linkert carburetor and magneto feed the powerplant, and dual chains transmit the power to the rear wheel. The chain guard and primary cover are drilled and cut to relieve weight' resulting in a machine weight of only 140 pounds. The bike uses a suicide clutch and hand shifter, and the foot pegs with rear brake and clutch levers are mounted low and far back on the frame for a laydown rider position.
The motor is bored and stroked (and so more than 61ci) and together with the frame configuration and pedal placement, these clues lead Ousey to believe it is set-up more as a Land Speed record-setter rather than a boardtrack racer.
But back to the Harley Hummer. What makes this race bike so interesting is that it is someone's 'brainchild'. One cannot build a bike like this without some considerable thought. How do you combine a 1915 1,000cc v-twin with a tiny 2-stroke 125? The Hummer has been called the 'paperboy's delight,' and what red-blooded American kid wouldn't want to toss the morning paper from the saddle of a flashy new Harley 125 S? Quite literally a 'spoil of war,' the 125cc two-stroke was originally a German DKW design appropriated by both BSA and Harley-Davidson following WW2.
'Why fight traffic or bus crowds?' asked Harley's 1956 advertisement. 'It's fun to whisk to work on a Harley-Davidson Hummer,' the ad continued, promising up to 100 miles per gallon. By 1956 the lightweight runabout had acquired telescopic forks, stylistic flares to the fenders and a big-bike headlight. If the gas tank shape looks familiar, we would see it again few years later on the Sportster series. The Hummer ran out in 1959!
What's on offer is a wholesome American custom marvel for your careful consideration.
· Thought to be a landspeed record bike, not a boardtracker
· The bike weighs only an incredible 140 pound
In 2013, Paul Ousey was at an AMCA (American Motorcycle Club of America) swap meet in Oley, Pennsylvania, with friends Dale Walksler and Buzz Kanter, when they spotted this bike. 'Close examination revealed it was a 1915 Harley motor mated to a Harley Hummer transmission, with a custom-made, rigid, racing frame, a Hummer front end, front and rear wheel hubs with 18-inch drop center rims. Fuel is carried in an aluminum JD-style tank with gas and oil compartments and domed cut outs in the right tank to accommodate the IOE (inlet over exhaust) motor.' 'There was 125A hairpin-mounted seat with custom embossed basket-weave leather work positioning the rider atop the frame, and a bobbed aluminum rear fender. A Linkert carburetor and magneto feed the powerplant, and dual chains transmit the power to the rear wheel. The chain guard and primary cover are drilled and cut to relieve weight' resulting in a machine weight of only 140 pounds. The bike uses a suicide clutch and hand shifter, and the foot pegs with rear brake and clutch levers are mounted low and far back on the frame for a laydown rider position.
The motor is bored and stroked (and so more than 61ci) and together with the frame configuration and pedal placement, these clues lead Ousey to believe it is set-up more as a Land Speed record-setter rather than a boardtrack racer.
But back to the Harley Hummer. What makes this race bike so interesting is that it is someone's 'brainchild'. One cannot build a bike like this without some considerable thought. How do you combine a 1915 1,000cc v-twin with a tiny 2-stroke 125? The Hummer has been called the 'paperboy's delight,' and what red-blooded American kid wouldn't want to toss the morning paper from the saddle of a flashy new Harley 125 S? Quite literally a 'spoil of war,' the 125cc two-stroke was originally a German DKW design appropriated by both BSA and Harley-Davidson following WW2.
'Why fight traffic or bus crowds?' asked Harley's 1956 advertisement. 'It's fun to whisk to work on a Harley-Davidson Hummer,' the ad continued, promising up to 100 miles per gallon. By 1956 the lightweight runabout had acquired telescopic forks, stylistic flares to the fenders and a big-bike headlight. If the gas tank shape looks familiar, we would see it again few years later on the Sportster series. The Hummer ran out in 1959!
What's on offer is a wholesome American custom marvel for your careful consideration.
Footnotes
Offered on Bill of Sale. 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.
Saleroom notices
There is no engine number visible.
Additional information
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