SPRUNG - Harley-Davidson® Springer Enthusiast

HD tidbits from 1918

Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: Bruce Bryner <BBry...@iusb.edu>
Date: 1999/03/07
Subject: HD tidbits from '18

HD tidbits from '18

The 35ci motor and models will be discontinued after this year.
They would see high tension Berling-brand magneto ignitions this year.

Several specialty models were offered that were variations of the F and
J models. You could select between those that had "A", "B" or "500"
designated motors and between those with magneto vs. electrical systems. The model FFA offered 3.5" stroke w/aluminum pistons, while the FCAB model offered 4" stroke w/aluminum pistons. (The other variant model numbers where FA, JA, FB, JB, FCA, FF, & JF).

F-Head Main models, (production #'s):

18-B 35ci-Single, (19), $235

18-C 35ci-Single, 3 speed, (251), $260

18-E 61ci-V-Twin, 1 speed, (5), $275

18-F 61ci-V-Twin, 3 speed, (11,764), $290

18-J 61ci-V-Twin, 3 speed, electrical, (6,571), $320

18-R Roadster Racer, 61ci, (3)

18-FUS 'Presto Lite Equipped Government Use only', 61ci, (8,095)

Sidecars & Chassis:
18-LC - right side chassis
L-18-L- left hand sidecar
18-L - right sidecar
18-LCL- left side chassis
18-M - commercial
18-N - commercial, rural free delivery
18-Q - 2 passenger chassis, 56" tread
18-QA - closed commercial, 56" tread
18-QB - open commercial, 56" tread
18-QD - 2 compartment parcel, 56" tread
18-QL - right hand 2 passenger
18-QC3- 3 stake platform parcel, 56" tread
18-QC4- 4 stake platform parcel, 56" tread

Options: tank transfers w/red or gold centers, tank lettering gold w/red
outline or red w/gold outline. Acetylene lighting, 26" wheels, "fast
motor", sidecar motor, Schebler Deluxe carb, flat front mudguard, hand
painting of logos/names/info, Troxel saddles, Firestone/Goodyear tires,
foot/hand clutch, hand operated rear brake.

Paint: Olive green w/Pullman Coach Green broad striping edged in gold
pinstripes w/black center pinstripe.

E,F,J changes:
Model 235 Remy generator, oil hole cover, and the following revised
items: relief pipe clamp, front chain guard, clutch bearings manually
oiled, upper/lower exhaust valve covers, magneto gear, generator drive
case/intermediate gear/drive gear/gear stud/stud collar/control rod,
clutch hub shell and sprocket, foot clutch lever rod.

MoCo minutes:
-HD borrows $3 million for new factory addition.
-Approximately 1,000 dealers nationwide now.

Racing:
HD wins 300-mile Dodge City Race.

Story time:
On 11-8-1918, Corparal Roy Holtz was ordered by a captain, (name unknown), to give him a ride in the sidecar of Corp. Holtz's Harley. As they traveled onward, Holtz would suggest that they were headed in the wrong direction, but the captain disagreed. They ended up lost. They stopped at a barn to ask directions, but it turned out to be a German headquarters, deep behind enemy lines. As the story goes, Holtz could speak fluent German, and whether looking for induced info, or simply because the war was about to end, the Bavarian division treated Holtz to drinks. [I think it was more like, "Hey! Nice bike. Beer?]. Anyway, on November 11th, (Armistice day - the war ends), they were released. Amoungst the background of retreating German military, a civilian took a picture of Holtz on his Harley, (heading the opposite direction), with goggles sitting on top of his head, and a spare tire across the sidecar, (the whereabouts of the captain at this stage is still a mystery). The picture was eventually sent to HD depicting "The first Yank to enter Germany". The picture was published in 1943 in 'The Enthusiast'. Soon after, Holtz turned up on Juneau Avenue to get a copy of the picture, and tell his story.

***tidbits taken from various sources.

Bruce
The Journey IS the Reward.

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