Author Topic: Harley Davidson 1936 VD (Read 4675 times)

Dave Swanson · « **on:** May 23, 2021, 09:26:59 AM »

My 36 VD has been in hiding for quite a few years. I decided to give it a thorough going over, tune up, etc, and get it on the road. The old boy I purchased it from had a sidecar on it and had never ridden it without the car. When I mothballed the bike almost 10 years ago I had also only ridden it with the hack. It is fun to get acquainted with the foot clutch tank shift setup without the sidecar.

The 1936 V series is the last of the line for the old dinosaur HDs. 1936 marked the introduction of the thoroughly modernized EL Knucklehead, but the V soldiered on for one last year, to be replaced by the modernized U series in 1937. The 36 V was the last of the total loss oiling system for the engine, old style tank, dash, and many other details. Also it marked the last use of the old style super cool Corbin speedometer that is just stuck on top of the tank.

The re-maiden voyage sans sidecar went well once my brain had a chance to get with the new program. I will eventually add the sidecar so that I can give a few people rides that have been asking for years.

LowRyter · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2021, 09:34:33 AM »

Beauty Dave. I see your list of Guzzis but you have a quite a lot more in your collection.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2021, 09:38:48 AM »

Quote from: LowRyter on May 23, 2021, 09:34:33 AM

Beauty Dave. I see your list of Guzzis but you have a quite a lot more in your collection.

More than the law should allow.

JJ · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2021, 09:55:37 AM »

Dave, that is one BEAUTIFUL vintage Harley!!

PJPR01 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2021, 10:37:33 AM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on May 23, 2021, 09:38:48 AM

More than the law should allow.

That’s a beauty!! Like I said at Cedar Vale Dave, you’ve got a museum going already!

oldbike54 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2021, 10:45:57 AM »

Lovely

Dusty

Ncdan · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2021, 11:52:46 AM »

Absolutely stunning motorcycle!!!

Sykestone8886 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2021, 12:54:17 PM »

A true classic, what a beauty !!!

80CX100 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2021, 01:09:04 PM »

Tks for sharing the pictures and the back story

What a beautiful rolling piece of mechanical art history

dxhall · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2021, 02:06:48 PM »

How does the total loss oiling system work?

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2021, 02:21:04 PM »

Quote from: dxhall on May 23, 2021, 02:06:48 PM

How does the total loss oiling system work?

Just as you imagine it might. The oil pump meters in a specific quantity of oil that is sufficient to keep the engine lubricated, but not too. A small amount is burned during combustion and the rest just works it's way out of the engine. Part of the start up process after the bike has sat a few days is to drain the crankcase via the crankcase drain, and then to pump in 3 1/2 pumps of oil directly into the crankcase with the hand plunger. This provides the ideal volume of oil for the crankcase.

Indian beat Harley to the punch developing a recirculating oil supply by 2 or 3 years. During this period Harley's sales literature promoted their total loss vs. the Indian method by stating something on this order "Harleys always receive, clean, fresh, cool oil".

Hand plunger.

Hand plunger oil line, direct to the crankcase. 2nd line is routed to the oil pump on the primary side.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2021, 02:27:02 PM »

The crankcase drain.

bodine99 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2021, 02:52:39 PM »

What a lovely machine!!

I really dig the look/style of 30's machine of all brands. I'm sure there is a big smile on another Illinois HD guru a class act Dale W. Great job!!!

cookiemech · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2021, 02:58:56 PM »

Your machines never fail to impress, Dave!!!

Old Jock · « **Reply #14 on:** May 24, 2021, 11:37:15 AM »

Amazing looking machine thanks for letting us all take a look at it

Mayor_of_BBQ · « **Reply #15 on:** May 24, 2021, 11:53:23 AM »

Hey Dave, can you discuss the two key system going on there? whats up with that?

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2021, 12:51:33 PM »

Quote from: Mayor_of_BBQ on May 24, 2021, 11:53:23 AM

Hey Dave, can you discuss the two key system going on there? whats up with that?

Left is ignition and right is lighting.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2021, 12:53:21 PM »

Picture from today's practice runs. The radius is getting a bit bigger, and my foot clutch, tank shifting is getting much better. I feel much more confident taking it out in traffic now.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2021, 12:54:17 PM »

And a little walk around video from this morning.

https://youtu.be/lCqbejaUHuM

chuck peterson · « **Reply #19 on:** May 24, 2021, 01:14:03 PM »

ooooohhhh...your melting me, dave

75 years young. Only 25 to go..

Mayor_of_BBQ · « **Reply #20 on:** May 24, 2021, 01:19:34 PM »

Dang Dave how deep is the waiting list to get in your will!! I would oil wrestle Huzo for the V11 and fight *any* animal unarmed for your Sparklehorse... and thats before we even get to the GTS, the perfect LeMans, that ripping GRiSO, or the lovely rootbeer Norge

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2021, 01:55:42 PM »

Quote from: chuck peterson on May 24, 2021, 01:14:03 PM

ooooohhhh...your melting me, dave

75 years young. Only 25 to go..

Assuming you are referring to the bike's age it's actually 85 years old. With some luck I might be able to ride it when it turns 100.

dxhall · « **Reply #22 on:** May 24, 2021, 02:13:04 PM »

Dave - the oil system intrigues me. Is the crank drilled so that the oil passages end at the rod journals, so that oil goes into the crank, and then flows out the side clearance of the rods?

I’ve read a lot about the 1920s board track racers. They had similar systems and would have oil tanks almost as large as their gas tanks. Early Indy cars were the same. On the early Indy cars, the passenger’s job was to give the oil pump a pump or two every lap.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #23 on:** May 24, 2021, 03:07:16 PM »

Quote from: dxhall on May 24, 2021, 02:13:04 PM

Dave - the oil system intrigues me. Is the crank drilled so that the oil passages end at the rod journals, so that oil goes into the crank, and then flows out the side clearance of the rods?

Harleys have roller bearing main and crank bearings. Oil under pressure is fed into the pinion shaft on the timing side of the flywheel and makes its way to the crank pin which has strategically placed holes drilled (3) to oil the knife and fork rod roller bearings. The oil then just pushes its way out of the rollers. The wrist pins rely on splash oiling of course.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #24 on:** May 24, 2021, 06:32:54 PM »

Quote from: Mayor_of_BBQ on May 24, 2021, 01:19:34 PM

Dang Dave how deep is the waiting list to get in your will!! I would oil wrestle Huzo for the V11 and fight *any* animal unarmed for your Sparklehorse... and thats before we even get to the GTS, the perfect LeMans, that ripping GRiSO, or the lovely rootbeer Norge

That's a good one! I can almost hear the scratching at the door.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #25 on:** May 25, 2021, 04:09:42 PM »

Here is the couple that I purchased the bike from in June of 2011. The were selling the old house and downsizing and would have no room for the bike. The 36 had been Bud's pride and joy for over 30 years.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #26 on:** May 25, 2021, 06:48:46 PM »

Awesome. Again..

Cam3512 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 25, 2021, 06:53:12 PM »

Damn dude. That’s all I’ve got.

Cam

oldbike54 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 25, 2021, 07:39:25 PM »

On top of having a marvelous collection of running motorbikes , Dave is an all around good guy

Dusty

Cam3512 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 25, 2021, 07:55:47 PM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on May 25, 2021, 07:39:25 PM

On top of having a marvelous collection of running motorbikes , Dave is an all around good guy

Dusty

We know.

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Author Topic: Harley Davidson 1936 VD (Read 4675 times)

oldbike54

oldbike54