Drawing inspiration from motorcyclists who rode cross country in the 1930's, I plan to rebuild a 1933 Harley-Davidson VL, ship it to the west coast and ride it back across the country on US Route 50. I'll be joined by another rider on his 1934 Harley-Davidson VLD, but that will be the extent of my support crew. There will not be any chase trucks or other support personnel. We'll be left with just the tools/parts we can carry, our wits and hopefully a bit of luck. I want to prove that these old motorcycles are still viable forms of transportation and should be ridden instead of gathering dust in museums or private collections.
Why A 1933 Harley-Davidson VL?
Aesthetically, the 1933 VL is a stunning machine. It still carries the lightweight look of an early motorcycle thanks to it's open rear fender and minimal options. The iconic paint scheme was only available for the 1933 model year and is arguably the best that has every come out of Milwaukee. The '33 also performs as good as it looks, which makes it well suited for this adventure.
The V-series went into production in 1930 to replace the F-head V-twins which had powered Harley's for almost 20 years. This new side-valve powered motorcycle featured a number of modern improvements like an enclosed valve train, I-beam forged front forks, drop center rims, a duplex primary chain and many others. All of these combine to make a highly dependable motorcycle, capable of crossing the US.
Besides dependability, the V-series is also relatively fast for an antique machine. In 1933, the VLE model set an American production motorcycle speed record of 104 mph. This made them popular with police forces and the following footage taken in 1935 demonstrates their ability to reach speeds over 100 mph.
I don't plan on riding mine at those speeds, but this shows that a VL can handle speeds found on today's modern highways.
Details
Work will officially begin on the VL at the end of November on Black Friday. The first step is to prepare the engine for rebuilding. Appropriate engine parts will be cleaned, bead blasted and painted per original factory specifications. All threaded holes will be chased, old bearings will be removed and all other tasks needed to completely break down the engine will be preformed. From there the engine will be sent to American Cycle Fabrication for rebuilding and bench testing.
At this point, the project will continue forward at a rate based on the amount of capital that has been raised. In order to help insure that I reach my goals, funding for this project comes from four sources; crowdfunding on indiegogo, advertising proceeds from Riding Vintage, articles published in print magazines and the sale of personal assets. This is a costly endeavor and I'm sure that it will take all four to see this project through to the end.
A completion date of mid-May has been set for having a rideable motorcycle, with hopes of riding it to the AMCA meet in Denton, NC. This also leaves the entire summer available for breaking in the engine and working out any issues that may arise. At the beginning of September 2014, the motorcycle will be shipped out to California in preparation for my cross country ride. That ride will begin mid to late September, with two weeks set aside for the journey across the US.
Distribution of Funds
After careful calculations, I've determined that the minimum cost of purchasing all the necessary parts and assembling a bare bones 1933 VL will be about $15,000. In comparison, a full restoration would be on the order of $30,000. That leaves room for a lot of improvements and upgrades that could be made with additional funding. If the budget permits, I'll first concentrate on changes to the engine to increase power and reliability. Next I will invest in upgrading the brakes and lighting for increased safety when on the road. Once those things are covered, I'll worry about other details like paint, additional NOS parts and possibly even a sidecar which would really come in handy for hauling gear and spare parts. Then there are also the fundamentals like food and gas which I'm sure to need on the trip.
What Do I Receive As An Individual Sponsor?
Becoming a sponsor will make you part of the Riding Vintage Team, giving you a front row seat to all the action. As a sponsor you'll be involved with every aspect of this build. You'll be kept up to date with weekly newsletters, photos, videos and online articles. Anytime something is happening, you'll be the first to know.
Ever wonder what it takes to rebuild a vintage engine? Find out all the details as I have my '33 engine rebuilt by a legendary land speed racer who builds flathead motors that run over 180 miles per hour! How about a three speed transmission? You'll see that too. From wheel bearings to seat springs, it's all going to be covered.
If you've ever considered restoring your own antique motorcycle, then this in depth look at a top to bottom rebuild will let you know if you have what it takes to do your own.
Do you still want to see more? Then join us on the road! Sponsors will have access to our detailed itinerary and chances to see the motorcycle in person as I ride across the United States.
Flash Productions has also agreed to provide copies of several of their books to sponsors of this project. Featuring the photography of Jim Miteff, these books are a must have for anyone who considers themselves a biker. For sponsors at the $100 level, they will donate a signed hardback copy of the Collector's Edition of Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the 1960s. For sponsors at the $175 level, they will donate a signed hardback copy of the Collector's Edition of Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the 1960s and a copy ofPortraits of American Bikers: Inside Looking Out. For sponsors at the $250 level, they will donate a signed hardback copy of the Collector's Edition of Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the 1960s and a copy of Portraits of American Bikers: Inside Looking Out and a copy of Asphalt Range.
What Do I Receive As A Corporate Sponsor?
As a corporate sponsor your brand will be targeted to vintage motorcycle enthusiasts around the globe through digital content, published magazine articles, merchandise and your logo painted on the motorcycle itself. Digitally, this project will be covered on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as on popular motorcycle sites like Bikernet, Riding Vintage and a few others soon to be announced. In print, American Iron Motorcycle Bagger magazine has agreed to publish a series of articles on this project and I am in talks with other editors for in depth articles on the build itself. Professional quality images of the completed motorcycle will be available for your use in your own print and digital advertising campaigns.
If your company produces parts specifically for the 1933 VL, there is also the opportunity to have your parts used on this motorcycle. Besides the additional recognition you will receive from articles based on the installation of your parts, at the completion of the ride your parts will have been independently validated on a cross country ride. This is a great opportunity as the number of VL's making cross country rides these days is minimal at best.
For motorcycle dealerships, independent shops, museums, etc that are located along the route, this motorcycle would make a great promotional piece for an event at your location. If time allows, I'd be glad to make a stop and answer questions for your customers during my ride across the country. Feel free to contact me to discuss the details of your particular case.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Looking for more information?Check the project
FAQ
It's going to take a lot of help to get this project moving forward and we appreciate your support.
1 out of 15 of claimed
Pit Crew
$20 USD
Maybe you can't turn the wrenches, but you can keep up with everything that is happening by being part of our digital mailing list. I'll be putting together more in depth information as the build moves forward for those who might want to restore a VL themselves as well as daily updates during the ride itself.
1 out of 15 of claimed
Individual Sponsor - Silver
$100 USD
Your name will be added to the Silver Circle Sponser's plaque. This plaque will be placed on a custom set of panniers which will be mounted to the motorcycle for the entire trip. You'll receive a signed hardback copy of the Collector's Edition of Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the 1960s. You'll also be placed on the digital mailing list so you can keep up with the build and get daily updates during the trip.
1 out of 20 of claimed
Outlaw Special
$175 USD
You'll receive a signed hardback copy of the Collector's Edition of Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the 1960s and a copy of Portraits of American Bikers: Inside Looking Out. You'll also be placed on the digital mailing list so you can keep up with the build and get daily updates during the trip.
0 out of 20 of claimed
Individual Sponsor - Gold
$250 USD
Your name will be added to the Gold Circle Sponsor's plaque which will be placed on a custom set of panniers and mounted to the motorcycle for the entire trip. You'll receive a signed copy of the Collector's Edition of Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the 1960s, a copy of Portraits of American Bikers: Inside Looking Out and a copy of Asphalt Range. You'll also be placed on the digital mailing list so you can keep up with the build and get daily updates during the trip.
0 out of 20 of claimed
Corporate Sponsor - Silver
$250 USD
A small image of your company logo displayed prominently on a custom set of panniers which will be mounted to the motorcycle for the entire trip. Your logo will also be added to any merchandise or advertising and you will be mentioned in all articles both digital and print.
1 out of 24 of claimed
Corporate Sponsor - Gold
$500 USD
A medium image of your company logo displayed prominently on a custom set of panniers which will be mounted to the motorcycle for the entire trip. Your logo will also be added to any merchandise or advertising and you will be mentioned in all articles both digital and print.
0 out of 12 of claimed
Corporate Sponsor - Platinum
$1,000 USD
A large image of your company logo displayed prominently on a custom set of panniers which will be mounted to the motorcycle for the entire trip. Your logo will also be added to any merchandise or advertising and you will be mentioned in all articles both digital and print.
