Official: A real Harley Davidson or a fake? That is the question...

[fordmike65]

Since there seems to be a rash of put-together and fake Harley Davidson bicycles lately, let's post up questionable HD's you've seen in the past, currently for sale or supposed "Barn-Finds". Some are quite believable with correct looking HD chainrings and amazing created patina meant to fool a collector out of his money. I don't usually encourage this here...but feel free to pick them apart.




This popped up and a potential buyer is asking for help verifying its authenticity. I say no, but then again I don't know much about these.

 

[JO BO]

No...it’s not a Davis frame . Chainring May be the only authentic piece on the bike for HD but I would have to have a closer look. Thanks for posting.

 

[Freqman1]

Nothing there says Davis/HD to me except maybe the ring. V/r Shawn

 

[bike]

ring appears to be on backwards-"dish" to the inside.

 

[cyclingday]

Maybe a H-D cease and desist Shelby?
Just a guess.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

The banded joint and the tight seat post cluster (notched bolt), the bend (kink) of the top tube, and even the font of the stamping on the bottom bracket give a Westfield look to the taller frame motorbike.

 

[New Mexico Brant]

This popped up and a potential buyer is asking for help verifying its authenticity. I say no, but then again I don't know much about these.

I love how a few different folks on Facebook are telling the guy it is a bonafide Harley and that he should buy it. Instant experts popping up everywhere! Didn't the last one that appeared here last month have a fake chain ring with a bevelled edge facing inward?

 

[fordmike65]

I love how a few folks on Facebook are telling the guy it is a bonafide Harley and that he should buy it. Instant experts popping up everywhere! Didn't the last one that appeared here last month have a fake chain ring with a bevelled edge facing inward?

Ha! Yup. I tried to find that post here on the Cabe earlier but couldn't find it. I let the potential buyer know about The Cabe and recommended he come here for info.

 

[fordmike65]

This one?

Antique Prewar TOC Harley Davidson Dayton Davis Built Complete Homage Bicycle | Stuff on eBay, Craigslist, Facebook etc.

Antique Prewar TOC Harley Davidson Dayton Davis Built Complete Homage Bicycle On Ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Prewar-TOC-Harley-Davidson-Dayton-Davis-Built-Complete-Homage-Bicycle/254882879566?

thecabe.com

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Ha! Yup. I tried to find that post here on the Cabe earlier but couldn't find it. I let the potential buyer know about The Cabe and recommended he come here for info.

I think it has one of those titles: "Need Help... or What is This." It makes it nearly impossible to reference without spending hours searching. Especially with the current search function problems that key on every word.