1911 Harley-Davidson 7-A is a Rare Find

Rare

Above sits a magneto-equipped model 7-A in immaculate condition. Any functioning Harley-Davidson from this era is a rarity but, being a 1911 model, this bike has some special features.

Photos courtesy of Mecum

Updates

All Harley-Davidsons made in 1911 were updated. This meant that they gained a heavier frame and fork tubing, as well as a new chassis with a straight front downtube.

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Advanced Technology

The upgrades Harley-Davidson made to this model in 1911 meant that it was one of the most advanced motorcycles in the world at the time. This fact instantly makes the 1911 model 7-A stand out from the crowd. 

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Reliable

The 500cc single-cylinder single-speed powerplant used in the model 7-A was shockingly reliable for the time. Even by today's standards, this engine would raise a few eyebrows.

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Barn Find

This bike is the barn find all motorcycle enthusiasts dream of. Its owner found the engine 30 years ago inside a barn. Outside of the barn, he found the rolling chassis under an overhang: talk about luck!

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Corrosion

As with most barn finds, time had taken its toll on this machine. The lower portion of the wheels, the forks, and the frame were severely corroded. The new owner would have a lot of work on their hands in order to restore this machine to its former glory. 

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Repairs

All the corrosion meant that the owner needed to repair the frame, wheels, and chassis with new castings and tube frames. 

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Missing Parts

Corrosion wasn't the only issue, some of the original parts were simply missing: this included both of the bike's fenders and its toolbox. These parts were hand fabricated to museum-quality standards, resulting in a beautifully restored 1911 model 7-A. This gem was recently sold at auction for $68,200.

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For help with the service of your bike, check out the how-to section of HDForums.com.