Hey guys, picked up the project yesterday. 1926 Harley Davidson Model B single cylinder 350cc

My dad saved it from the tip when he was 15 and used to ride it up and down his street and generally annoy the neighbours with it. That would have been in the mid 60's. In the early 70's he pulled it apart, because thats just what you do... The bike was stored under my grandparents house until the late 80's when it was transfered to my parents place where it sat again under the house until now. I've reassembled it to check for missing parts and so far its only missing a taillight lens!! Obviously it needs a full resto, it ran when it was parked but there is virtually no wiring left so I wont be trying to start it.

Here's a couple pics.

What a ripper,Fantasic project and worth a few dollars at the end

Very lucky Guy, Hope you post pics on the stages on rebuilding her.

Thanks guys I'm pretty excited about it.

Allde, I'll post pics as I get through it. No rush for me though.

Walka, it's nice to know your not starting off behind. They're certainly worth something restored but because of my family history, I plan on putting it in the lounge room! It'll be good to eventually ride it, I'm just super keen to have it on display, it's not the sort of thing that we usually see.

I haven't seen many of these so it'll be good to watch your progress. Interesting to see a front brake on a 26. Was it there when your dad got the bike? I imagine the same thing happened with a few pre-28s over the years. Or is it only the engine that is 26 and the other major components are 28-later? Just curious. And BTW, I have a 26-39 H-D parts catalog if I can be of help.

Eric

 

  

Hi Bilko,

That looks like a fantastic project, I would have been happy to get one of those myself. I have a 1942 WLA and have put a sidecar on her, but fun to ride either with or without the sidecar. I have also just acquired a 1928 Indian Scout.

Keep us up to date on the project.

Cheers

Hollywood

That’s true, the front brake wasn’t original until 1928 models. Your lever does look unusual and not like #4150-28 shown below in the parts catalog. I only have the catalog in hard copy but I’ll be happy to post any other part numbers and descriptions you need.

I don’t know if 1920s single-cylinders had a frame number. Some (all?) twin-cylinder frames had a number for 1917–27. For 1917–24 it was originally on a soldered-on strip on top of the frame between the seat post and the seat bar front mount but the strip is often missing. For 1925–27 the number was stamped on the top frame tube—for example, 25JE1234.

See if there’s anything on top of your frame but even if there is, and even if the frame was original to the engine, the frame number probably won’t match the engine serial number because apparently that’s how they did it in those days. It sounds like you know the engine serial number range for 1926 singles? If you’re not sure, I have info about that. Or is that info in your repair manual?

Eric

 

Thanks Eric, as I suspected that lever is in no way correct. The singles have the model and date cast into the crankcase. in this case 26B. The frame has no identifying marks on it at all

You're welcome. I was under the impression that the left case had casting number 2-26 for 1926 models and a few later years as well. 

Photos I have for 26 and 27 singles show no year designator in the serial number and I'm led to believe the way to tell a 26 from a 27 is by the sequence portion of the serial number. For 26 model singles (A, AA, B, BA), serial numbers began at 1000 and apparently ran into the 8000s. For 1927 models, serial numbers apparently started at 9000.

For 1928 models (B, BA), a year designator was stamped at the beginning---for example, 28B1234.

On your left case, does the casting number end with 26B? And is there a year designator in your serial number? Thanks.

Eric

 

Really? Huh. I cant see the casting number because the primary cover is on. Now that you mention it I could be wrong, it may have said 2-26. When I get a chance I'll remove it and check.

The engine number is B4xxx, so by your info that's a 26.

Bilko

Thanks. Yes, B4xxx would be a 26. The info regarding serial numbers starting at 1000 for 26 singles and at 9000 for 27 singles came from Harley researcher and author Herbert Wagner. Often I am sceptical about authors of H-D info but Herb is well known for being thorough with his research so I’m happy to go with his info on these serial numbers. I’ve also been in contact with Herb on another forum a few times about other Harley ID and I found his replies to be very good.

I have photos of 2-26 for 26, 27 and 28 and I posted a 26 model below. There’s also a lone 2 away to the left and some cases have a lone 1 in that area but I don’t know what those lone characters indicate.

Next is a chart with some 1920s info that may be of interest to you. It was posted on another forum a while ago.

Eric

Mate, this one is at the Harley Museum in Milwaukee - 1926 Model BA

Just thought it might help?

Don

Thanks Don,

That's a great example, just beautiful.

I'm struggling with the idea of painting mine in that shit green colour! I've seen a couple black ones and they look so much nicer!

Hi Bilko, I can't believe there is another model B Pup owner and renovator as I am doing (or trying to) the same bike a 350cc 21" side valve. At this stage I have had quite a lot outsourced such as cyl boring and seats cut, new piston and rings, head and barrel faced plus loads of other expensive jobs done...I am aout to pick up all the tinware that has been de-dented or repaired $1400 ughh! Need a replacement left side tank, mine is too far gone. Should get my reflector back from resilvering next week I hope. I also am seeking info on reassembling the gearbox as it was in bits when I got it. My left side crankcase is exactly as the above pic' 2-26 with the additional 2 placed by Speeding Big Twin. I have just received a book on the wiring diagrams for 1916-1939. Copied a spare parts manual and scanned it so it is easy to look up parts on my pc. Anyone know where I can source a clutch sprocket and rear wheel sprocket, mine are worn out and beyond economical repair. Cheers all. Gerry

Here's a few pics' of mine before I got it and before it was disassembled!!! Cheers Gerry

I have a couple of these old girls, I have spare parts, and after some myself . I'm in NZ. 1926 350 sidevalve, 1929 Ohv board tracker, 1929 model D 750 twin (built on same frame as singles and shares a lot of common parts

Hi there Kiwipeashooter, Wow you have some real jems there! I finally got the gearbox back together after some advice from a great fella here in Oz who also has the 26 350 sv, we have been exchanging advice and a few parts or sketches of parts. Anyone needs info' on gearbox assembly let me know and I'll do my best to pass on my limited knowledge. Still waiting for a set of tanks from Europe as can't find a good left hand one. Got the seats and leather tool box back about a month ago from the trimmer in a fawn colour (color) ;-) Once I have the tanks I can get things started with the painting (just got to be original colour if I can find the paint)

I think there are at least three other 26/27 350cc sv Harleys here in Adelaide Sth Oz. I believe they were imported here or sold here more so than in the States as over there they wanted the big twins.

Cheers fellas and don't forget I am still seeking the rear wheel sprocket as well as the clutch sprocket.

 

Hey Gerry, sorry mate I missed your original post.

My tanks are quite badly dented under the bog, I'm confident it is repairable by a skilled tradesman.

I haven't touched it in a while, I'm actually really enjoying looking at it in its current state of disrepair

Unfortunately I don't have any spares, if I come across some I'll let you know.