An extraordinary opportunity has surfaced for those who have a penchant for old American motorcycles. Animoya Garage is set to offer the Pergolese Collection, a remarkable assemblage of early Harley-Davidson motorcycles that have been collected by John Pergolese for over 45 years.

It all started when John acquired a pan-head, then a flat-head, and continued to work his was back through time until he acquired a 1910 Harley, at which point “the bug bit me”. Seriously hard by all accounts!

The collection, which has been meticulously curated over decades, showcases an evolution and heritage of one of America’s most iconic motorcycle brands, and even better, all the bikes are said to run.

It features some 28 Harley-Davidsons from 1908 to 1915, which were important years for Harley as their motorcycles and the company really started to flourish. In 1908 the factory employed 18 workers and built about 450 motorcycles per year. As time went on, police departments and the military acquired Harley Davidsons, and the public became somewhat besotted, so much so that by 1914 production had swollen to 16,284 machines.

This is a small snippet of what the collection looks like.

1908 Harley-Davidson “Strap Tank” Recreation

In 1908 the Harley-Davidson factory employed 18 workers and built about 450 motorcycles per year. It was the first year that the factory sold and supplied its first motorcycle to a police department, and there was a positive vibe in the Milwaukee camp as their motorcycles were top demand.

The 1908 model was a simple creature and was powered by a humble single-cylinder motor housed in a loop frame. The petrol tank hung below the top tube and was secured by simple metal straps, hence the iconic nickname, the “Strap Tank”.

This motorcycle is an impressive recreation of the 1908 Harley, and is the fine work of Lonnie Islam Jr., a figurehead in the early Harley-Davidson community and founder of the Motorcycle Cannonball Run.

1909 Harley Davidson Model 5

1909 saw the Harley-Davidson company attempt to define its spot in the marketplace, with a new frame that provided a modern appearance, and a new F-head single-cylinder engine – the basic architecture of which would be applied to many Harleys over the next decade. In 1909, 1149 motorcycles were produced by Harley-Davidson, with the most popular being the standard Model 5 which included 28-inch wheels and a battery-operated ignition – available to the discerning customer for $210.

It should be noted that in 1909 Harley-Davidson introduced the first V-twin model with a capacity of 880cc and rated at 7hp. There were some issues with reliability and so production was limited to a mere 30 units, however the extra cylinder provided almost double the hill-climbing power of the first singles, with a top speed of around 60 mph.

1910 Harley Davidson Model 6

Harley-Davidson ramped up production in 1910 by almost threefold on the previous year. The small Milwaukee factory was in full chat. The reliability issues associated with the V-twins meant that the company ditched two cylinders and focussed on their single-cylinder F-head machines that were ever-popular. This is one such example that remains in wonderful original condition, with a fantastic patina present throughout the entirety of the motorcycle.

1910 Harley-Davidson Model 6

This is a restored example of the 1910 Model 6, a contrast to the one above. The options on this model in 1910 included a choice between 28 or 26-inch wheels, as well as the choice between a battery or magneto ignition. It has a factory rear luggage rack, which is a nice addition to the bike, and is finished in the iconic Harley colour palette of Renault Gray.

1910 Harley-Davidson Model 6

This example of the Model 6, which as you may have noticed is a little different to the others, has an interesting backstory. It is said to have been purchased by two brothers, excited about the prospect of acquiring a Harley-Davidson. This excitement was soon put to a stop however, when the bike was crashed resulting in some serious damage, most notably to the frame. The brothers stripped and salvaged what they could, and put back what they could into a heavily modified bicycle frame that had been sat in the corner of a shed. This has been the basis of the machine for probably well over 100 years and presents a machine with some serious attitude!

1911 Harley-Davidson Model 7

The design of the models on offer for 1911 were pretty much carried over from the previous year, with only some minor updates made in the name of progression. The shapely contours of the front down tube were straightened out – a characteristic that would continue on to future model years.

In 1911 Harley reintroduced a revised V-twin to the market. It was smaller than the 1909 twin at 810cc, but the factory had honed their skills and produced a motor that had improved performance.

The singles were however still a popular choice as their reliability and performance had been tried and tested over several years and the public could not get enough of their Harleys. This very original bike holds a status as one of the main riders in the owner’s fleet and wears it battle scars and history extremely well. It is fitted with a number of excellent period accessories, including a rear luggage rack, an acetylene headlamp, a black Troxel handlebar-mounted tool bag, as well as brown leather panniers.

1912 Harley-Davidson Model X8A

Harley-Davidson were at the forefront of innovation in the motorcycle world and looked for ways to improve the rider experience. The concept of the clutch had already been tried and tested across the continent and this notion was introduced to Harley-Davidson models in 1912. The configuration was dubbed the “free-wheel control” and was denoted by an “X” in the model name. A new frame meant to improve handling and rider comfort and resulted in a redesign of the petrol tank and the introduction of the “Ful-Floteing” seat. The single and twin-cylinder options could be ordered with either a chain or a belt for the final drive. The belt drive had its days numbered. This bike was all yours for $235 and was popular in the military and on police departments across America.

1913 Harley-Davidson Model 9A, 9B + 9E

In 1913, Harley-Davidson were firmly stamped into the book of automobiles and had proven themselves in the civilian world and on the track. A new six-story, state-of-the-art factory was completed which allowed them to boost production, reaching 12,966 machines for the 1913 model year.

There were three models available to the customer, who could choose from a single cylinder in either belt drive (the Model 9A) or chain drive (the Model 9B) or a twin cylinder in chain drive (the Model 9E). The single cylinder machines had an increase in capacity from 30 cubic inches to 35, and the motor was dubbed the 5-35 for its 5 horsepower and cubic inch rating. All machines now came with magneto ignition and rear clutch as standard. The twin-cylinder models skyrocketed in popularity at this point, with 6,732 examples produced for the 1913 model year.

1914 Harley-Davidson Model 10B + 10E

Despite competition from other manufacturers on the market, Harley Davidson were pulling ahead of the other main players, notably Indian, and churned out 16,284 machines in 1914. A number of additional niceties appeared on the bikes, such as folding rectangular floorboards, foot-operated controls for the brake and the clutch, and a two-speed final drive.

1914 was the final year that belt drive was an option on the single-cylinder machines, as riders leaned towards the reliability and ease of the chain drive. What also became apparent, was the desire for two cylinders, and this set the tone for the factory moving forward.

1915 Harley-Davidson Model 11F

1915 saw Harley-Davidson continue to expand on innovation with modifications that were meant to improve reliability. A pivotal update was the addition of a step-starter (and the loss of the pedals), akin to the more modern kick-start mechanism, which became stock on all models. A three-speed transmission was introduced to the twin models which provided the rider with a gated, hand-shifted transmission lever. Electrical equipment was also an option for the headlight, taillight, and horn – all powered by a dedicated generator.

The twin cylinder Harleys were ideal for sidecar work, and this 11F is fitted with a factory sidecar. It is a marvellous specimen, which oozes originality, character, and patina throughout the entirety of the outfit.

There are simply too many Harley-Davidsons in the collection to feature in this article, and so the above is a taste of what the Pergolese shed looks like. The collection represents a rare chance for collectors or riders to acquire pieces of Harley-Davidson’s rich history. We like to see these old warhorses used, so the hope is that they will be back on the road in the near future. The collection has been curated by the Animoya Garage, based in Pontiac, Michigan, who are renowned for connecting enthusiasts with historically significant automobiles.

The Pergolese Collection is currently available as a whole lot and presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire an early collection of machines from one of America’s most iconic brands. Interested parties are encouraged to enquire directly through the Animoya Garage website or contact their sales team at sales@animoyagarage.com for more information on acquisition opportunities.

Thank you to the Animoya Garage (www.animoyagarage.com) for the information and photos for this article.

(Please note that the Girder Club has no affiliation to this sale).

an article by The Girder Club

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