Update - 31 October 2016

Hi

Just a quick update:

• There is the vintage car and motorcycle show this coming Sunday at Killarney in Cape Town . 
• I have said that I will exhibit the 1941 Harley-Davidson at the show. 
• I don't want to just take the Harley to the show, as the rich military history of the Harley-Davidson's in the UDF will not come through . 
• Consequently I have prepared the wall hanging, so that I can also exhibit that along with the Harley. 
• There are a number of small issues that I have to fix before I can take the Harley for roadworthy. 

These issues are:

• Firstly , the primary cover was touching the primary chain and making an awful noise.  But I have managed to fix the problem . 
• The generator light does not go on. I'll try to resolve this issue on Saturday. 
• Then the wiring to the front does not work -maybe the cable got pinched? 

I'll try to resolve these issues over the next weekend or two. 

Harley-Davidson WL Restoration Wall Hanging

Hi

I have previously mentioned that I am busy with a man cave wall hanging for the vintage Harley.  This is what the wall hanging will look like - it is 1,200mm long and 650 mm wide and should be around 80 mm deep.

The left side of the wall hanging tells the story of the use of the 4,500 Harley-Davidson's used by the South African Union Defence Forces in the East Africa, Madagascar and North Africa Campaign of World War 2.

This is followed by the high-lights of the restoration process.

I then want to mount a number of the new old stock (NOS) part packaging in the area that does not have any photo's or text that will look something like this.
 

This morning I stopped at a print shop to have the A0 sheet printed and it came out beautifully!  I took a couple of pictures of what the end product should look like . 

She Runs!

Hi

We have started the Harley!

Switched On

Hi.

I've switched her on, but only the oil warning light comes on - not the generator light as well.

I suspect that I have a wire missing or incorrectly connected on the generator or the coil.

In addition, the horn went off. The good news is that the horn is actually working. The bad news is that the horn button is likely defective. 

But these small issues should be relatively easy to sort out next week. I just have something on just now and have to call it a day.

Petrol in Fuel Tank

Hi

I have also put some fuel into the fuel tank!

But when my wife went downstairs to the garage, she said that the garage smelled strongly of fuel. 

When I went downstairs, there was a pool of fuel below the motorcycle. I drained the fuel tank to prevent more fuel from spilling. 

But I have two issues here - firstly the fuel shut off valve is not closing properly and secondly the needle and seat is not closing properly. 

Again, these small issues can be resolved fairly quickly and easily. 

Battery Filled with Battery Acid

Hi.

The battery has also been filled with battery acid.

Gearbox Oil Filled

Hi.

I have also filled the gearbox with oil.

Filled the Oil Tank!

Hi

I have just put oil (SAE 40) in the oil tank - the first time in several years that she had any oil in the oil tank!

The oil is still very clear and it is difficult to see the oil level on the photo, but she is right on the mark! 

PS: The oil has been standing in the tank overnight and there doesn't seem to be an oil leak on any of the oil lines. 

Oil Pressure Sensor Fitted

Afternoon

I have also fitted the oil pressure sensor and can now fill the oil tank with oil.

This photo was taken with me lying flat on my back, from underneath the motorcycle. 

Fire Extinguisher Fitted

Afternoon

Today I have sandblasted and spray painted the fire extinguisher bracket and have fitted that.  Here is a photo of the bracket fitted to the motorcycle. 

Finished!

Hi

Finally! After about two years of hard work, I'm finished with the restoration work! This is what she looks like. 

Prepping, Painting and Fitting the Front Fender

Hi

I've previously done some work on the front fender (did a metal repair, panel beating, a bit of body putty repairs, removed rust, etc.) which meant that I had to take the front fender brace off. To prevent the fender from rusting, I have spray-painted the fender with a grey primer. 

Sources Used for Military History of the SAUDF's Harley-Davidson's

Hi

I have used the following sources to compile the information relating to the military history of the South African Union Defence Force's Harley-Davidson's:

“6 SA ARMOURED DIVISION IN ITALY” Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 4 Nr 2, 1974.  http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za;

“ARMOURED WARFARE - THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE IN EAST AFRICA, 1940-1941” by Evert Philippus Kleynhans - Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Military Science (Military History) in the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University;