Big Harley Goes To Museum

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 62, 10 August 1965, Page 2

Big Harley Goes To Museum

Now practically a thing of the past, the huge Harley Davidson motorcycles were once familiar to our armed servicemen overseas and to motorists on New Zealand's rough and dusty roads. The big hulking American machines barked their way along with an excess of power while the riders rode amidships holding grimly to the long, sit-up-and-beg handlebars. Mr Wally Kilmister, professional motorcyele rider in his youth and loeal expert on two-wheelers and small machines, completed the full restoration of the 36-year-old Harley Davidson about three years ago. The machine was reseued from scrub by Mr Kilmister

who stripped it down to its ( many parts before beginning restoration work. Missing pieces, such as the two small headlamps, exhaust pipes and other original parts were either made or restored by Mr Kilmister. He had to make valves, guides, springs and bearings for parts of the motor. The old machine looked just as if it had been freshly delivered after Mr Kilmister's work was completed. This restoration was Mr Kilmister's first attempt to put a vintage motorcyele back into original condition. He knows the Harley Davidsons well because he once rode them. The machine is more than seven f-eet long and is a 1929 V twin 7/9 of 1000 cc.