How To Start A 1913 Harley Davidson

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about a time when I decided to resurrect a 1913 Harley Davidson from the dead. Now, I'm no mechanic, mind you. I'm more of a 'let's see what happens if I poke this with a stick' kind of guy. But hey, if I can do it, anyone can. So, let's dive in, shall we?

First Things First: The Beast Unveiled

So there I was, standing in my garage, staring at this hulking, rusty monstrosity. It was a 1913 Harley Davidson, or what was left of it. It looked like it had been through a war, a flood, and a few too many wild nights. But hey, they don't call it a 'hog' for nothing, right?

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Why on earth would you want to start a 1913 Harley Davidson?" Well, let me tell you, the thrill of the challenge, my friend. Plus, have you seen the price of gas these days? This baby runs on pure nostalgia and a prayer. It's like driving a Model T, but with more leather and less... everything else.

Step 1: The Great Disassembly

First things first, I had to take this beast apart. Now, I know what you're thinking. "But won't that just make it more broken?" Well, yes. Yes, it will. But bear with me here. You can't fix a problem if you don't know what's wrong, right?

So, I grabbed my trusty socket wrench (named 'Wrenchy McWrenchface') and started twisting. I won't lie to you, folks. There were some... interesting discoveries. Like the nest of squirrels that had taken up residence in the carburetor. Turns out, they'd been using it as a fancy condo. Who knew?

But hey, at least it explained why the thing wouldn't start. I mean, have you ever tried to start a motorcycle with a family of squirrels living in it? It's not as easy as it sounds. Trust me.

Step 2: The Cleanse

Alright, so the bike was in pieces. Now what? Well, it was time for a good old-fashioned cleanse. I'm talking a bath so hot, even the squirrels would've thought twice about moving back in.

Harley-Davidson History • Thunderbike

I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say there was a lot of soap, a lot of scrubbing, and a lot of muttering under my breath. I'm pretty sure I saw a small fish swim by at one point. But hey, no judgment here. We've all been there, right?

Step 3: The Reassembly

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But how do you put a 1913 Harley Davidson back together? It's not like you can just look it up on YouTube!" Well, you're right. There's no 'Harley Davidson Restoration for Dummies' guide. But there is something called 'common sense' and a lot of trial and error.

I won't lie to you, folks. There were some... creative solutions. Like using a rubber band to hold a bolt in place because I couldn't find the right-sized nut. Don't judge me. It worked, didn't it?

And then, finally, after what felt like an eternity, I put the last bolt in place. I stood back, wiped my hands on my overalls (because of course I was wearing overalls), and took a deep breath. It was time.

Step 4: The Moment of Truth

I pushed the beast out of the garage, into the sunlight. It was a sight to behold. A gleaming (well, sort of gleaming) testament to human ingenuity and sheer stubbornness. I hopped on, gave the kickstarter a good old-fashioned stomp, and... nothing.

1913 Harley Davidson twin cylinder start up and run, original paint

I won't lie to you, folks. My heart sank. I mean, what if I'd done it all wrong? What if the squirrels had caused some sort of irreparable damage? What if... what if I'd just spent the last month of my life talking to a hunk of metal?

But then, just as I was about to give up hope, I heard it. A low, rumbling growl. The engine coughed, spluttered, and then, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it roared to life.

I let out a whoop, punched the air, and did a little victory dance. I mean, come on. You would've too. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated triumph.

And That, Folks, Is How You Start a 1913 Harley Davidson

So there you have it. The tale of how I started a 1913 Harley Davidson. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Because sometimes, the best things in life are the ones that make you work for them. And hey, if I can do it, so can you. Just... maybe don't expect it to start on the first try. Or the second. Or the third. But you'll get there. I believe in you.

Now, who's ready to ride?