1918 Harley-Davidson Model F Motorcycle Combination

Registration no. SV 6533 Frame no. 18F 3231 Engine no. 19 T3 683

• Built to European specification and sold new in Paris
• Louis Vannod top-of-the-range Grand Luxe sidecar
• Numerous additional 'extras' and safety features
• Only four owners in 104 years

This Harley-Davidson motorcycle combination was purchased new by a Mr Cante, whose address is recorded on a brass badge attached to the front fork. He purchased the machine from the Harley-Davidson Agence Parisienne Exclusive dealership in Paris, France. This machine is an original civilian Harley-Davidson built to European specification; thus it has two brakes rather than the single (rear) stopper standard on American models. Both brakes operate on the rear wheel and the machine has two foot-brake pedals, conforming to the European regulations at that time.

In 1922 Mr Cante sent the Harley to sidecar manufacturer Louis Vannod, a company recognised as France's premier sidecar maker. The original Harley-Davidson sidecar was removed while the chassis, supplied with the machine in 1918, was retained. This striking looking sidecar is Louis Vannod's top-of-the-range Grand Luxe model and has several additional 'extras' and safety features:

• An extra brake on the sidecar wheel
• An electrical system featuring a 6-volt dynamo driven from the crankshaft
• Electric lighting set
• Unusual 'V' windscreen (a work of art)
• Brass handle for the passenger door
• Tool box boot
• Extra front chassis support
• Child's sprung seat fitted to the luggage rack
• A different carburettor (far superior to the original Schebler carburettor)
• Up-rated forks
• Stronger wheels and larger tyres

Mr Cante owned the Harley until WW2 when he gave it to a Mr Bouquet in Paris as a token of thanks for the latter having saved his son's life during the war. The current vendor purchased the machine some 40 years ago from Mr Alain Bouquet, grandson of the aforementioned Mr Bouquet senior. The vendor is only the Harley's fourth owner in 104 years! Restored in 1992, this magnificent Harley-Davidson motorcycle combination was last run this summer and is described by the vendor as in good condition. Unique in its specification, the machine comes with a dating certificate, a V5C document and its original French-language handbook, which must be extremely rare.
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