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1926 Model B Pup

  • Jabbsy
    Jabbsy
    4 months
    Gday Everyone, 

    I came across this forum while diving deep into some research and figured I’d jump in. I recently picked up a 1926 Harley-Davidson Model B "Pup" at auction with the goal of restoring it back to its former glory.

    The bike does run, though not particularly well. And from what I can tell, it seems to be mostly complete.

    I’d be hugely grateful for any advice, resources, or links that could point me in the right direction. Specifically, anything related to servicing, parts (original or repro), manuals, or general knowledge that could help guide me through the restoration process.

    I’ll admit, I’m pretty green when it comes to the early model Harleys. Most of my mechanical experience comes from growing up riding and maintaining dirt bikes. These days I ride a 2022 Breakout, and I’m also midway through restoring a Honda FL250 Odyssey, so the Model B will be my next big project once that’s wrapped up.

    Keen to learn as much as I can, any help would be massively appreciated!

    Cheers, 
    Jabbsy

    Screenshot 2025-06-28 192147.jpg
    Screenshot 2025-06-28 192311.jpg
    Screenshot 2025-06-28 192418.jpg
    Screenshot 2025-06-28 192431.jpg
    Screenshot 2025-06-28 192443.jpg
    Engine Number
    Screenshot 2025-06-28 192346.jpg
    Screenshot 2025-06-28 192508.jpg
    Breakout.jpeg
    My current ride
  • obisteve
    obisteve
    4 months
    Now that's gonna keep you busy for a while Jabbsy.
    Love the CV carb on it. Mikuni or Kehein, or maybe Bing? Sure to work better that whatever was on it originally.
    Of course there's no need to restore the appearance to showroom condition, this is how a mate runs and rides his 1915 Excelsior, with its 1970s Amal carb too.

    image000000(6).jpg
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    4 months
    Big job, finding bits will be a challenge, reward for effort I guess, hope you keep posting progress, always good to see an old girl resurrected 👍
  • Uncle Chougs
    Uncle Chougs
    28 days ago
    Hi Jabbsy, hi everyone...you have an interesting ”mini harley” (lol). You have a 1926 “Model A” (not B) In 1926 HD produced 3 Models to re-enter the small capacity powered range for a wider market. 2 fitted with the same side valve engine, The “Model A” (your bike) was fitted with a Magneto for ignition (the first letter stamped on the cranckcase before the serial number of your bike is also the model of the bike;”A”) the “Model B” had a generator/coil battery ignition and electrical system and the model”S”(peashooter) . The model “S” was produced for competition purpose only in a very small batch although they were only 21ci (350cc) one was apparently clocked over 160kmh and made them popular on the race tracks outside the US, maybe a marketing sunt from HD to promote and sell the “Model A” and “B” overseas...Australia Europe and South Africa were the market to dig in! At the time “Indian motocycles”(and not “motorcycles”) were already getting into the European market with the succesful “Indian Prince”model (also a 350cc powered bike).
    Only 1128 “Model A” where produced in 1926, the “model A” was the base entry line of the ”pup” singles models. It was fitted with a magneto for people who did ride during the day and not so much at night time back then there was not as much traffic as we have now, this is why you don’t have any electricals fitted on your model bike (headlight/tail light/horn)
    Coming back to your bike...at a quick glance it looks like someone plugged the oil feeding copper tube which should connected down from the front part of the left tank(the left tank is split into 2 reservoirs oil and fuel) to the front of the cranckcase. The bottom end of this model is not designed with cranckcase ventilation and should not be sealed as by doing so you probably end up with oil pressure problems. This “home made quick fix” was probably done to try to solve a problem by creating another one!
     The correct carburetor is a “Schebler de luxe” for this model. They were not only fitted to harleys other brands of that era also used them ...
     The magneto is missing a cable and seems to be locked into one spot only which would make the bike not run correctly, a cable should run from the left hand inner side of the handlebar, and hook onto what looks like an inverted throttle grip ,It’s actually to advance or retard the ignition (magneto) when you go up or down a hill or when you go straight by twisting the handlebar grips forward or backward .Riding a bike with those early model magneto takes a bit to get used to..but it’s fun!!
     The cool handlebars you have seems to be “speedster handlebars” (not many around) a HD option at the time!.You might be able to see some on BA competition models in shows or museums from the same"vintage".
     Tanks/guards tinware are available on repro... you will find a few stores on ebay ,if there’s a part you are not sure of or can not seem to find it,I’ll try to locate that for you (and the word is ..TRY..lol!)
    Good Luck!

  • Uncle Chougs
    Uncle Chougs
    28 days ago
    forgot to mention the competition models (the "peashooter" model"S" and Also AA and BA were equipped with Overhead cams engines)...just for the info..
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