Lean and leggy, this beautifully restored 1918 Harley-Davidson Model F was the Motor Company’s best-selling motorcycle during the tense years of World War I. Before America’s direct involvement in the “War to End All Wars,” the 1910s was an energetic period for American motorcycling. Where the previous decade had been an explosion of interest in the machines, with dozens of motorcycle manufacturers vying for a corner of the market, the teens represented a great condensing. Though there were still dozens of brands, those who tactfully blended their innovations with a robust manufacturing and distribution plan were beginning to separate from the pack. Indian had led the way from the start but, by 1914, found itself shoulder-to-shoulder with Harley-Davidson. From humble beginnings, Harley-Davidson built a strong reputation for capable, high-quality motorcycles. More importantly, Harley-Davidson’s founders focused equally as much on their production facilities, marketing campaigns and dealership network. In 1914, the Motor Company released a new flagship, the top-of-the-line Model F, a 61 CI (1,000cc) V-twin with a new 2-speed rear hub transmission. It was updated in 1915 with the addition of the company’s first 3-speed, hand-shifted gearbox but simultaneously replaced as Harley-Davidson’s flagship by the Model J. Still, only an electric lighting and ignition system separated the two top models, the J featuring a battery ignition and the company’s first electric lights. For the enthusiasts, the earliest electrics were finicky and added an extra $35 to the price tag, leaving the Model F as the company’s best-selling motorcycle for several years. By then, the war was ripping its way through Europe, and American manufacturers such as Harley-Davidson and Indian were working with government officials to devise use cases and military configurations for their machines. In 1916, Harley- Davidson redesigned its Big Twin line, and the following year, military production of F and J models officially began. In another brilliant business move, Harley-Davidson’s founders created a Quartermaster’s School to train army mechanics, building brand familiarity and loyalty among soldiers. When, coupled with the fact that Indian severely over-committed to military contracts, leaving its dealers with little stock and its customers flocking to the nearby Harley-Davidson dealers, the Motor Company leaped to the top of the industry after just a little over a decade of production. This beautifully restored 1918 Harley-Davidson Model F is a relic of one of the most significant moments in the storied brand’s history and remains among the finest and most popular motorcycles ever assembled. S140 1918 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MODEL F
