Mossgreen - The Motorclassica Auction (#158MG) - Selected items... Motorcycle... 1939 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MODEL U WITH SIDE-CAR. Held in single-family ownership since new and one of a mere 421 built. ”Black Saddle”. Engine No: 39U 2543. This impressive motorcycle has been held in single family ownership since it was bought new in Sydney in 1939. “Black Seat” has a 4-speed gearbox, its original driving lights and speedo, as well as many other charming original features and is presented in a period colour scheme of Delfine Blue. Later model aftermarket indicators and mirrors have been fitted to comply with modern registration requirements. The rear alloy mudflap bears a pop riveted metal emblem for Redfern Motorcycle Spares. It comes with the fitted Perspex and vinyl screen and a tonneau for the sidecar. This historically significant motorcycle was last registered in 1995 indicating that it was ridden right up until Uncle Bill’s retirement from riding that same year. The sale is accompanied by a spare fuel tank with 3-speed shift. The side-car is presumed to be Dusting and has an access door and black trim. Production numbers of the 1939 Model U were a mere 421 units being significantly lower than most other flathead models of the pre-war era, making this example a rare and highly desirable acquisition. This motorcycle is in running order and fresh oils and fuel were replaced in recent weeks. __________________________________________________________________. THE UNIQUE STORY OF TWO OF A KIND. The revered brand of Harley-Davidson first appeared in Australia in 1917 only. fourteen years after it was launched in the United States in 1903. 2017 has. marked the 100th year of sales in Australia and has been robustly celebrated by. many riders, collectors and dealerships all around the nation. Bill Davidson, the. great grandson of co-founding father of the company, William A. Davidson, visited. Australia this year to celebrate this great Aussie milestone and acknowledged the. strong following in Australia since operations commenced before World War 1. Not everyone would attribute 100 years of business to companies such as Morgan. & Wacker Motorcycles of Sydney who heralded the arrival of Harley-Davidson and. became the first of several successful dealerships in the day. As a result, riders. have been able to choose from a range of Harley-Davidsons seeing the bikes going. on to become a part of our two-wheeled cultural landscape. As such, Australia now. cherishes many sought-after collectors’ models, some of which are extremely rare. and exotic and closely held in private collections. As the company developed its technology, Harley-Davidson revealed its first. flathead side valve engine in 1929 with the Model D: a 45 CI developed to compete. with the Indian Scout and the Excelsior Model X. A larger version followed with the. Model V: a 74 CI, 1200cc motor. This marked the beginning of the big side-valve. “flathead” era. But, these motors were not really designed to be sporting which. became obvious as the clutches and flywheels were weak and the entire range was. transformed with a shorter chassis, stronger frame and forks albeit adding some. 120lbs in weight. To manage this the clutch was beefed up and a duplex primary. system was implemented. Lighter and stronger forged I-Beam front forks were. employed. The classic interchangeable, quick release Jiffy Wheel system was also. introduced. The Model V morphed in to the Model U in 1938 gaining a new, improved. twin downtube frame; a fully recirculated oil system and a (optional) 4-speed. transmission as used on the new Model EL Knucklehead. Major internal. improvements were implemented being an enlarged crankpin and stronger. connecting rods; a larger flywheel and reduced bore so that the pistons were. interchangeable with the new Knucklehead motor to streamline production,. resulting in a very good motorcycle. The delightful matching pair of 1939 Harley-Davidson Model Us with side-cars. for auction at Motorclassica have an unbroken line of provenance. Affectionately. known as Black Saddle and Brown Saddle, both outfits have been held in the same. family ownership for 78 years and 68 years respectively. Black Saddle was bought. new in 1939 in Sydney by a man named Jim. His nephew Bill acquired Brown. Saddle 10 years later in 1949 from a police sergeant from Bankstown who had also. bought his bike new in Sydney. Jim gave Black Saddle to Bill in the 1970s. Bill has. subsequently kept the 2 bikes together as they present today. Both men were keen. motorcycle riders and both were familiar sights around the streets of Parramatta. It is believed neither men, but certainly Bill ever drove a car. The family recalls he. used to take his wife Betty with their dogs in the outfits to buy their groceries and. go for cruises through the Blue Mountains. The outfits were their sole mode of. transport. Born in 1921, Bill called it a day with his wheels in about 1995 hanging up his. leathers at the age of 74 years. But, he still cared for his 2 Harley-Davidsons. so much he gave them to his 2 nephews, David and Jeff, to ensure they stayed. together as the “Peas of a Pod” they had become. The boys remember every. Sunday when they could hear Bill coming for miles and him teaching them to kick. start the bikes when they were as young as 6 years old. These 2 nephews of Great. Uncle Jim and Uncle Bill have carefully garaged, turned over and run to care for. the motorcycles as Bill had wished. Uncle Bill passed away in 2016. These bikes have been preserved as their owners. had intended and have remained within the same family for 3 lifetimes. They are. now up for sale as it is the express wish of the vendors that the bikes find new. homes that appreciate the legacy each one holds. If they could be acquired by the. one buyer it would be a most happy outcome. We commissioned an expert who connected remote fuel and 6-volt battery to these. bikes. Both fired up easily after years of slumber and settled down to a classic. Harley idle. A proper tank and fuel line flush is recommended before riding. We can. also confirm both dash indicator lights are working properly as are the original lights. and horns. Strangely both bike’s turns signals did not operate which may be a sign. that these 1970s Japanese additions should be removed.