Zen and the art of motorcycle maintanance.

Imagine yourself finding an old motorcycle that have been maintained in accordance to the manufactur spesifications.
Theoretically it should be as new, theoretically that is.

When buying a new Harley in Norway back in 1920, it was followed by a 84 pages thick book in how to maintain your new investment.
If just those yesterdaze motorcycle riders had bothered to read this great booklet. We as the restorers of old bikes know many didnt.

Take a look at the pages in this booklet describing where and how often to grease and replace oils, impressive 42 items in need of care, 42!!!

Wonder if modern riders would have been capable of motorcycle maintanance according to Harley Davidson 1920`s spesifications?

Chart for lubrication right side.

A few key words; Lubricate your inlet rocker arms every 70km`s, remove grips and refill with grease avery 11000 km`s, add grease to your saddle post and spring every 700 km`s, ......... 

Chart for lubrication left side.

A selection of care point on the lft side; lubricate horn bearings every 1400 km`s (you better do, if not it wont Oogahh when you need it), the gear change pivot bolt need some grease every 700 km`s, ........

Did Sørensen & Balchen sell many Harleys in Norway in those early years of Norwegian motorcycle culture? YES they did, just check the sales figures as per April 1920; 1336 motorbikes, whow!
In 1917 & 1918 they could not get enough bikes from the factory to meet the demand, this because WWI opted the Milwaukee factory to sell more bikes to the army.