The Real Deal

[sportscarpat]

Hi Guys,
Last weekend was the annual Monterey Vintage Race Weekend here in California. This event is close to my house so I go every year. The last couple years they have added vintage motorcycle auctions to the number of events around town. I figured I would share some close-up shots of a 1928 Harley JD board track racer. I think 1928 was pretty late in BTR racing so the bikes were much more developed than the earlier bikes.

Here is a side view of the bike. If you look closely you'll notice it has no pedal crank, a rear band type brake, and a clutch.


PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION by Sportsman Flyer, on Flickr

Here is a close up shot of the rear brake.


PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION by Sportsman Flyer, on Flickr

This is a 3/4 rear view of the drive side. You can also see the seat is fully sprung. Pretty comfy by BTR standards.


PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION by Sportsman Flyer, on Flickr

Detail shot of the clutch.


PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION by Sportsman Flyer, on Flickr

One last shot of a genuine 1928 boardie and me sitting on it with a genuine smile on my face! I have said this before about these original machines, they do not look or feel fragile in person. They are definately big, solid machines.


PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION by Sportsman Flyer, on Flickr

 

[harry76]

That is freaking awesome. Ive never even seen one, little own sat on one.

 

[silverbear]

You look like a happy boy, Pat. Just had a strange image in my mind of a carousel with all board track racers instead of leaping tigers, ponies, etc. Have to be a forum member to get a ticket to ride. Get the gold ring and you can take your ride home with you. Ha! I wanna ticket!
SB

 

[harry76]

The bikes on the carousel would have to be mounted on a steep angle for authenticity, and maybe spin around a little faster...... now thats a ride id go on

 

[ChopperDave]

1928 would be dirt track rather than board track... Cool nonetheless

 

[SlickmisterN]

Nope, I thought 1928 was the last year of b.t. racing before the infamous crash that claimed the life of Ignaz Schwinn's closest and best rider. He was racing one of eight new OHC redesigns. The young protege was lapping 20-30mph faster than every other team until he lost control split his head open and died on the track in Ignaz's arms. All the bikes were ordered by Ignaz to be destroyed. It was this incident that prompted greater scrutiny of the motorsport and eventually its demise. Not sure if the timeline is 100% correct but I know it went something like that. In 1931 just 3 years later Ignaz shut down the Chicago factory entirely.

 

[flatblack]

Where's the pedals? Ha! That thing is ridiculously awesome!

 

[sportscarpat]

I wasn't sure of the timeline with board track racing while looking at the bike. It does have slicks so that would make dirt track racing difficult. What I did see was the sign on the bike stating it was a 1928 BTR. Either way the thing was very cool and I felt pretty lucky to be able to check it out so closely.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Here's one for you Pat, and fellow members and tribute board track racer / vintage motorized bicycle enthusiast's!

If you've ever wanted antique Circa 1900-1940's vintage original parts or a frame or engine from a Pre World War I or Post World War I era Board Track Racer or Flat Track Racer or Street / Road Version of these original machines look no more!

Here's the Link ENJOY:
GEORGE'S WORLD WIDE ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE TRADER

There are thousands of parts etc on the above website, maybe you'll find something Pat that you can re-design or re-manufacture for your line vintage / Board Track Racer's known as The Sportsman Flyer's, that you can offer to us vintage style motorized bicycle enthusiast's!

Here's a few Antique / Vintage Motorcycle show's / event's check one out in your area you may just find something you can use on your vintage style motorized bicycle build:

Here's the links:
The Antique Motorcycle Club of America - National Meets & Road Runs

The Rhinebeck Grand National Super Meet

Vintage Motorcycles, Antique Motorcyles, Classic Motorcycles, Will Stoner, Classic Events

Hanford Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

My Classic Motorcycle: Motorcycle Swap Meet Oley, PA

Here's a few video's sure to make you drool......
1912 Harley Davidson - YouTube

Indian Board Track Racer Motorcycle 1920 Vintage - YouTube

Excelsior 7 S.C. Board Track Racer start and run - YouTube

Harley Boardtrack Racer 1916 - YouTube

Wauseon 2008 Boardtracker Race Video - YouTube

This one in Germany is super Cool,
Motorcycle Board Track Racing Germany Harley 8 Valve Excelsior Super X - YouTube

1912 Hedstrom Indian 8 valve Big base - YouTube

Motorcycle Board Track Racing Germany Harley HD onboard - YouTube

1914 Harley-Davidson - YouTube

SEMBA 1917 HARLEY BOARD TRACK RACER - YouTube

Last but not least this 1913 Harley with Pedals & Foot Boards,
VINTAGE 1913 HARLEY DAVIDSON CLASSIC ANTIQUE WONDER - YouTube

I hope all or our forum members and visitors enjoy some of these events and video's and that you are inspired with your builds, my fellow vintage style motorized bicycle enthusiast's here in our fine forum!

Peace Crazy Horse.

 

[jbcruisin]

I bought a 1923 JD engine from an old deaf guy in 1971 for $25. He had all this old Harley stuff. Frames, seats, etc. I sold the engine & was into choppers in those days. Ever since I sold it I've wanted to have an old JD bike. Maybe someday......
Jay

 

[linnix13]

wow! thats really something, love the sound those old thumpers make! pounds the chest real good

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

Pat, I don't know how you keep talking these bike owners into letting you sit on those rare bikes?!?!

 

[harry76]

Pat, I don't know how you keep talking these bike owners into letting you sit on those rare bikes?!?!

Yeah, share your secrets please, as ill never ever afford the real thing, sitting on one of these would be as close as ill ever get......

 

[cobrafreak]

I noticed the oil pan catching the drips. Were they still total loss oil systems in 1928 or do they just leak naturally anyway? Thanks for sharing. I want to see the Monterey car week sometime. I got my SCUBA certification in Monterey. I hope I never need to dive there again! Lol!

 

[culvercityclassic]

Hey Pat nice pictures and details. I tried to sit on a bike one time at the Peterson Museum and got escorted out by my collar with my kids wanting to know what I did wrong. How did you get away with that Pat?

I ran into this bike on my Sunday ride, it’s a rare bike for sure and this guy has three more.The Bike was a "Reading Standard", the sound of the motor was unreal. Ya never know what you will see when riding.

 

[sportscarpat]

I actually have quite a collection of pictures of myself sitting in or on various rare vintage machines. My favorite is a picture of me sitting in one of the original 6 Cobra Daytona coupes. I have also sat in an original GT40 MKIV, as well as a few original 1960's MKI GT40's. There is also the time a few years back this guy let me me take his 1964 289 Cobra on a beat run through one of the local canyons. My secret? I show lot's of enthusiasm, take a few pictures, then ask nicely if I can climb in or on the rare vintage iron. Oh, and always have the camera ready!

 

[cobrafreak]

You have charisma my friend I sat in a replica of a GT40 and after doing the twisting and such to get into it I came to the conclusion that I could not live with the car on a semi-normal basis. That is why I have the Cobra now.

 

[Allen_Wrench]

I got to sit in a Delorean once. Driving one, even semi-regularly, would take a whole lot of getting used to. Behind the wheel, it's like looking out of a pillbox bunker at Omaha Beach. No headroom at all. Funky shift pattern. Very snug cockpit. They're only comfortable if you don't plan on moving around too much, and I'm not that big a guy.

 

[cobrafreak]

DeLoreans are cool. My friends girlfriend went to high school in one. The thing that bugs me is with gull wing doors, if you flip upside down you are trapped in the car. If the car catches on fire you better hope the smoke gets you before the flames.

 

[harry76]

Did you get the Delorean to 88mph????? Then you could go back and ride all the BTR's that you ever wanted to