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2021 Shannons '40th Anniversary' Timed Online Auction
Lot
72

1934 Harley-Davidson VFD 1200cc Solo Motorcycle

$56,000

Melbourne

Sold

Specifications

Engine 1200cc V-twin
Gearbox Three-speed manual
Body Work Solo
Colour Blue/silver
Trim Black
Wheels Wire spoked
Brakes Drum/drum

Description

This lot is no longer available

Having survived the infamous stock market crash of 1929 which took so many of its rivals under, Harley Davidson powered on and in 1934 introduced its new VLD and VFD models. Featuring two-tone paintwork and a stylised fuel tank for the first time on a production Harley bike, the bold new VFD saw a switch from the traditional rounded fenders to flatter curves, while the toolbox was relocated from the front forks (below the headlight) to the frame on later 1935-1936 models. The original twin headlamp of the 1930 Harley was changed to the Cycleray curved lens unit. Harley’s traditional olive green paint, which had been used with little variation since 1917, was dropped as the standard colour and replaced by more vibrant two-tone colour schemes. Flathead V-Twin engines which replaced F-Head versions in the late ‘20s now came in 45ci and 74ci versions and would eventually morph into the famous EL overhead valve Knucklehead engine of 1936. Classic ‘30s Harley flatheads, with plenty of grunt and tremendous style, remain extremely popular with H-D collectors the world over today.