Earliest Surviving Crime Fighter: 1909 HD Single 5C
Two-wheel crime fighter was sold new to the La Crosse Police Department.
Community Service
This original condition 1909 HD Model 5C is one of the earliest known police motorcycles in existence. The early two-wheel crime fighter was sold new to Wisconsin's La Crosse Police Department in 1909, where it served the force and community for many years. The motorcycle is now part of John Parham's collection, housed at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa.
Photos courtesy of American Iron.
Ride Quality
By 1909, the Motor Company was growing rapidly, and so were their designs. A much-improved three-sided gas tank replaced the old strap tank configuration. Ride quality was improved with beefier front forks, and the frame was stiffened with the addition of a second top bar. A magneto ignition was offered on standard models, and the metal toolbox made its first appearance.
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Better Suited
Harley-Davidson offered four versions of the single-cylinder machine back in 1909. The main difference between models was the wheel diameter and ignition system. The larger wheels were better suited for navigating the many rough roads of the day. This Model 5C was fitted with twenty-six-inch wheels. Starting in 1909, the throttle and spark advance control cables were routed through the handlebar, rather than the previous external bellcrank-type assembly.
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Belt Drive
The Model 5C had a 30 cubic-inch motor that produced just 4 horsepower. A leather primary belt did the job of transmitting engine revolutions to the rear wheel. Activated by a lever on the left side of the gas tank, the clutch was also controlled by a belt. The rear brake was a coaster brake design, similar to how a contemporary bicycle brake works.
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On Display
There is no recorded date, but the La Crosse Police Department Model 5C was eventually released from service and sold. It went through a number of owners until it was disassembled, boxed up and stored for decades. At some point, it was rediscovered, reassembled and donated to the La Crosse Historical Society. With no room for the veteran machine, it went on display at a local Harley-Davidson dealership.
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Unique Machine
Many would-be owners came forward with offers, but the Model 5C model was not for sale. This changed when the La Crosse Historical Society was in need of funds to restore a local landmark building. It was at this point when John Parham stepped in as the next caretaker of this unique machine. The La Crosse police bike is a beautifully preserved machine in faded Renault Gray with Carmine Pinstriping.
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Police Duty
In 2010, Parham was invited to display the police bike at the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Far from a beauty contest entry, Harley-Davidson was quickly earning a reputation in the early-1900s for building tough and reliable machines. The year before the La Crosse PD took delivery, the Motor Company had sold the first-ever motorcycle equipped for police duty to the Michigan Police Department.
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History Chapter
The La Crosse police bike is a time capsule from the dawn of motorcycling. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, John Parham is a more recent chapter in that history. Parham founded J&P Cycles in 1979 and worked tirelessly to establish the National Motorcycle Museum. John Parham passed away in 2012. He left behind a legacy of commitment to motorcycling and the preservation of its history.
>>Join the conversation about the classic 5C motorbike right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
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