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1934 Harley-Davidson VLD50 Photos
1934 Harley-Davidson VLD
Lot Closed
Auction by Saratoga Auto Auction(12)
This item is in Saratoga Springs, NY
Overview of 1934 Harley-Davidson VLD
Item Details
Make - Cars & TrucksHarley Davidson
Item Location - State/ProvinceNew York
Item Location - Postal/Zip Code12866
Item Location - CitySaratoga Springs
Mileage7897
VIN34VLD6461
Engine - Displacement74 ci.
Transmission Type/SpeedsManual
Color - ExteriorGold & Black
CylindersN/A
Year1934
Harley-Davidson, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, began producing motorcycles in the first decade of the 20th century. Production began with three motorcycles in 1905 and rose to 1100 by 1909. The company produced 20,000 motorcycles for the army in World War I, and by the 1920s, yearly production was in the 20-28,000 range, with exports to 60 countries around the world.
The crash of 1929 and the resulting world-wide economic depression was a catastrophe for Harley-Davidson. By 1933, the company was on a two-day work week and total yearly production was less than 4000 motorcycles. A drastic change was needed to save the company from failure and that change was the new, for 1934, VL model.
The new VL series was powered by a brand new “......Big Twin”...... –...... this was a “......Powerful Dynamic TNT Motor”...... of 74 cubic inch that produced 36 bhp & 4600 rpm. It reverted to a side-valve engine design for ease of construction, simpler maintenance, and improved reliability. This new engine was installed in a frame with traditional, for the era, suspension, but the other significant change was in the appearance of the VL line, which took its inspiration from the Art Deco movement of the time.
The new VL models featured “......air-flo”...... styling with “......magnificent colors in numerous combinations”...... all melded together to produce a “......spic and span, trim and modern”...... motorcycle. But the new engine, with modern styling and Harley’......s “......Pay-As-You-Ride”...... finance plans, and the new model was a sales success, with approximately 7500 produced in 1934.
This motorcycle’......s original owner was Francis Romaine –...... apparently, he was a man with a great deal of mechanical skills. He had his own workshop and took very good care of his Harley. Upon his death, his aunt cleaned out his house and sold the motorcycle to its current owner in 1978 in a partially disassembled, but complete condition. Realizing the reassembly was beyond his capabilities, the new owner stored the cycle for the next few years. Sometimes it was in the spare bedroom of a friend’......s house (apparently a very understanding friend!) until the present owner acquired a house with a garage. Now the motorcycle had a place of its own where it was carefully parked and covered with blankets. And there it sat –...... aside from the few times when the blankets were removed and the owner imagined it rebuilt and running, its odometer moving again past the 7897 miles that were on it.
Recently, a suitable expert was found; the cycle was uncovered and taken to the restoration shop for an evaluation of its condition. The results were hard to believe: the original factory-custom two-tone paint was in fine condition as were all the original factory decals and tags.
Also present were the original factory exhaust and air cleaner (very rare), original Harley windshield/fairing, and saddlebags. The seat and pedals were also apparently original. Surprisingly, it appeared the tires are the originals as well.
Mechanically, the clutch and transmission were in excellent condition, and upon examination, the cylinder barrels needed only a light hone, not a rebore. In examining the pistons (which are a split-ring design), it was determined that the motorcycle was most likely built in the first six months of VLD production.
Included with the cycle are various paper materials, including registration, a letter from Harley-Davidson to the original owner, and a 1934 sales brochure. There are also some miscellaneous vintage parts in their original boxes.
In the collector vehicle market, a fairly recent trend is what is known as Preservation vehicles. These are sometimes referred to as “......Barn Find”...... cars, but there is a difference –...... barn find vehicles can be, and frequently are, derelict, abandoned, and decrepit. They can be resurrected and made mobile, but they will still retain the well-worn, neglected, and shabby paint, chrome, and interior that they were found with.
This motorcycle, on the other hand, is an outstanding example of a preserved vehicle. The winning bidder will have a difficult decision –...... keep it as it is or take it for a ride for the first time in over 60 years. Either way, it will be a fine example to add to a serious collection.
Estimate $90,000 - $110,000
Payment
Saratoga Automobile Museum
110 Avenue of the Pines
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Phone: 518-587-1935
Fax: 518-587-4149
FOR WIRE TRANSFER:
Adirondack Trust Company
315 Church St
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Phone: 518-581-7500
Fax: 518-583-0565
Routing # - 021302884
Account # - 6017806
Accepted: American Express, MasterCard, Check, Wire Transfer, Discover, Visa, Money Order, and Cash.
CheckMoney OrderWire TransferCash
Auction Details
Saratoga Auto Action - September Sale - DAY TWO108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 | 9:00 AM CDT
Auction House
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Terms Of Sale
FINANCING
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Putnam Leasing - 1-800-278-0071
J. J. Best Banc & Co. - 1-800-USA-1965
INSURANCE
Our official insurance partner is Hagerty Insurance, the global leader in classic car insurance. Hagerty representatives will be available onsite. You treat your classic differently than the car you drive every day. You’re extra careful while out cruising in your classic. No one will ever find a stray French fry beneath the seat. When it’s not on the road, you’re sure to keep your classic in a safe place. Your insurance should be different, too. With classic car coverage from Hagerty, you can insure your classic for how you use it – without paying more than you need.
Hagerty Insurance - 1-877-922-9701
BIDDER'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
Bidding: ALL BIDS ARE FINAL AT AUCTION. If you are awarded the final bid, ownership changes handle at the drop of the
gavel. You are responsible for payment in full. No bidder may retract a bid made during the sale for any reason.
Buyer's Fee: A buyer's premium will be charged on all lots sold. If your bid price is accepted as the winning bid on any lot,
you will be charged a buyer's premium in addition to the accepted bid price. Buyer's premium is 10% on all automotive lots,
20% on non-automotive lots. Proxy buyer's and Credit card transactions are subject to a buyer's premium of 13% for vehicle
purchases and 23% for non-automotive purchases. Premium will be added to the purchase price. Sales tax, if applicable, will
be charged on the final total of purchase price plus premium.
Terms of Payment: Payment of the purchase price is due immediately upon the Auctioneer's declaration of sale. All payments
must be in the form of cash or certified funds unless other arrangements have been approved in advance. Cash payments will
be reported according to U.S. Federal government requirements. Should a bidder default on payment in any manner
whatsoever, without limiting any recourse Saratoga Automobile Museum (aka "SAM") may have, bidder agrees to pay SAM
all lost auction fees (which is the maximum published rates for (a.) the seller's fee, (b.) the buyer's premium, and (c.) the
entry fee), this amount and due and payable without relief. Bidder will also be liable to seller for its damages. Bidder hereby
authorizes SAM to deduct this charge with the credit card company at any time. Bidder agrees to also pay SAM's costs of
collection, including attorney's fees and costs.
Conditions of Sale: Bidder is responsible for inspections and verification of condition, authenticity, and completeness of any
vehicle purchased. Statements printed in catalog brochures, signs, window cards, and verbal statements made by auctioneers
or auction staff are representations made by the Consignor and the SAM has no obligation to verify or authenticate any such
claims or vehicles are sold as is, where is, with no representations or warranties, expressed or implied and CONSIGNOR AND
SAM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO CONDITION, ORGINALITY, OR AUTHENTICITY, PREVIOUS
USE OR OWNERSHIP, MANUFACTURING OR RESTORATION PROCESSES, YEAR, SERIAL NUMBER, MAKE,
MODEL, OPTIONS, TOOLS, OR MILEAGE OF ANY VEHICLE OR COMPONENT OF ANY VEHICLE, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY
WARRANTIES OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. In no event shall SAM, the auctioneer, or any of its employees,
agents, associates or affiliates be responsible or liable in any way for any warranties, guarantees, histories, or descriptions of
any vehicle or article offered for sale.
Risk or Loss: Bidder is responsible for all risk of loss or damage immediately upon purchase of the vehicle or item, which
occurs at the time of sale when bidder is declared by the auctioneer to have the successful bid. All vehicles or items
purchased must be removed from the auction site at the bidder's expense immediately following the sale. If not removed by
the end of the 2nd business day following the sale, SAM will remove the vehicle or item with all costs of moving and storage
to be paid by the bidder.
Dealers Note: All dealers must have current sales tax income license and current dealer license on file with the auction office.
Other Terms: Vehicles not marked as offered without reserve are subject to a reserve bid set by the Consignor. When a
vehicle is sold subject to such a reserve bid the auctioneer may bid on the Consignor's behalf in an amount not to exceed the
amount of the reserve bid. All terms of sale are posted on the auction premises, printed in sale brochures or forms, publicly
announced, or otherwise published are incorporated herein by reference. In the event either party brings action against the
other arising from or relating to this bid card or any auction held in connection herewith, the prevailing party, as determined
by the court, shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. The law of the state in which the auction is
held shall govern the provisions of this bid card. Jurisdiction for any action brought shall lie exclusively in a court of
competent jurisdiction in the judicial district in which Saratoga County, New York is located. You are responsible for all bids
made with this bidder number, whether or not made by you and whether or not authorized by you. If your bidder card is lost
or stolen, immediately report to SAM auction office as all bids made with this bidder number will be your responsibility.