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"The 1914 models would be fitted with a variety of new hardware and improvements, and would set a new standard for the two-wheeled marketplace." Doug Mitchell, Standard Catalog of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.

Boyhood friends William S Harley and Arthur Davidson began experimenting with powered transport in the early 1900s, producing their first complete production motorcycle around 1903. Little more than a motorised bicycle, the first prototype Harley-Davidson had proved fragile, prompting a major redesign and the establishment of a reputation for ruggedness that endures to this day.

Like many of their contemporaries, Harley-Davidson laid out their engine along De Dion lines. A single-cylinder four-stroke displacing 24.74ci (405cc), the latter remained in production essentially unchanged until superseded by a 30.16ci (494cc) version in 1909. Of greater significance was the appearance that same year of the firm's first v-twin, though this would turn out to be a failure and was dropped at the year's end. The twin returned for 1911 in redesigned form boasting mechanically operated inlet valves (replacing the 'atmospheric' type inherited from the single), and production really took off. Known by the sobriquet 'pocket valve', this 'F-head' (inlet-over-exhaust) engine - built in 61ci and 74ci capacities (1,000cc and 1,200cc respectively) - would remain in production for the next 20 years.

The Harley single's transmission arrangements - direct drive by means of a leather belt - were continued at first on the twin, but the need to make better use of the engine's power characteristics, particularly for sidecar pulling, prompted the introduction of a two-speed rear hub for 1914, by which time chain drive and a proper clutch had been adopted. Later that same year a conventional, three-speed, sliding-gear transmission with 'step starter' was introduced on the top-of-the-range version of the twin which, with full electrical equipment, was listed from now on as the Model J. These innovations transformed the Harley-Davidson twin from a machine requiring specialist skill into a practical and more user-friendly motorcycle capable of coping with traffic, ascending hills, and pulling a sidecar. Periodically revised and up-dated, the Harley-Davidson F-head twin had gained a front brake, stronger fork and pumped lubrication by the time production ceased in 1929.

Likely manufactured in late 1913, this Model 10 has been registered in the Netherlands since 31st October 1994 and is offered from a private collection in Amsterdam. Attached, is a single-seat 'Dutch Shoe' sidecar made under contract for Harley-Davidson by the Rogers Company of Chicago. Rogers was a major supplier of sidecars to Harley-Davidson, who purchased 2,500 units from them in 1914 and 5,000 in 1915. Rogers also sold sidecars to other American manufacturers including Ace, Excelsior, Indian and Henderson, and its closure and sale late in 1925 would force Harley-Davidson to manufacture its own sidecars. This Harley's torpedo sidecar body in Renault Grey features 'Rogers' script in gold and is trimmed with black buttoned-leather upholstery.

The motorcycle appears to be an older restoration that has stood the test of time (the engine turns over with compression). According to our vendor, the Harley has been used by his family for more than 30 years. Notable features include a Hand Klaxonet horn; large acetylene headlamp and generator; Jones speedometer (in kilometres); and a Mansfield Paramount clock.

Accompanying documentation includes a Netherlands registration certificate (RDW) and vrijwaringsbewijs (indemnity certificate). It should be noted that Harley-Davidson only began stamping numbers on frames in the 1960s. Matching the engine, this example's frame number was almost certainly stamped by a past owner to satisfy licensing, sale, insurance or customs requirements.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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