100-year old Harley! 1924 Model J Review | Daily Rider

[@RevZilla]

For more on this Harley-Davidson Model J, here is Zack's "Retrospective Review": rvz.la/3ZtaE69 Check out all of the newest motorcycle gear available: rvz.la/4ioGUju

[@TimothyGreen-ko2vm]

Next Common Tread: Classic bikes on a trip with dirt roads ?

[@Foxhunter359]

Keep the classics coming, Norton, BSA, Ariel, Triumph and one of each Harley engine type, brilliant.

[@jawoo0326]

Or a '77 Moto Guzzi LeMans Mk 1 from Mark Ethridge at Moto Guzzi Classics in Signal Hill! 😃

[@siraff4461]

That was one of if not the most enjoyable daily riders ever. Not just the bike but the way you stuck to the script and still "tried" a wheelie and so on - that was really great. I've got a lot of time for bikes from history and that is one of the ones which contributed to giving Harley their name in the early days.

[@Evill-jh1yz]

Would love to see you guys get your hands on the new Stark Varg EX (street leagal enduro)

[@captaintahoe1]

Thank you to the owner of this bike for allowing you to share with us

[@alexm6340]

I agree, stuff like this is so cool!

[@Jacob99174]

What a hoe thing to say 👍🏿

[@danmanthe9335]

Agreed! And thanks to Zach for having the cojones and dedication and guts to learn to ride this bike through freakin LA!

[@browngreen933]

Why didn't the owner adjust the foot clutch lever properly instead of giving Zach a suicide clutch machine?

[@danmanthe9335]

@@browngreen933 I think that's how they came from the factory back before control layouts were standardized

[@thickheart28]

14:40 officer - “ do you know how fast you were going?” Zach - “no”

[@AshleyPomeroy]

"The speedo has melted, and as a result it's hard to say with any degree of accuracy how fast I was going"

[@Robert-xs2mv]

A 100 years, officer.

[@frankchan4272]

Gauges? What gauges? Fuel level is by shaking the motorcycle around to hear the fuel sloshing around.

[@Markbell73]

Fast enough to keep pace with traffic. That's all you need to be legal on the low end.

[@catliker68]

@@AshleyPomeroy In hindsight it was probably a bad idea to have a speedometer designed by Salvador Dali

[@FD1991]

This has got to be one of the coolest daily rider episodes....Just saying

[@martinfisker7438]

This and the rd350 are my two favorite episodes

[@ericweber1969]

100% agree. Really, really cool ride.

[@StreetSinner]

NINE?! NIIIIIIINE HORSEPOWER???!!! On the L.A. freeway in 2024. With a foot clutch and hand shift, left hand twist grip ignition timing, needing to burp the motor once per minute and make sure you don't run out of oil because it doesn't recycle it. I would have been enthralled with a trundle down a country road, but fitting this into the normal daily ride route is impressive.

[@Mrmagoo1077]

9 horsepower is not really significant because this engine doesn't make its power where horsepower is the primary measurement (high in the rev range). This engine is entirely designed to make high power per stroke at low RPM's, so torque is the more meaningful measurement. Like a tractor. The engine makes torque, and the gear ratios in the transmission turn the torque in to speed. A modern engine is designed to make relatively lower power per stroke (but still more because of better heads/flow), but to make many many more strokes per minute to get more power/efficiency overall. Engines way back in the day primarily used brass or iron bushings instead of precision bearings for rotating objects. This necessitated looser tolerances to allow oil flow and reduce friction. As such those old engines would vibrate themselves to pieces at RPM's considered easy by modern standards.

[@braaaaaaaaaaap]

12-18hp.

[@DB-sd3cw]

Unreal meat riding

[@jakeryan152]

The foot clutch isn’t too bad, because it’s a safety clutch where when you push down on the clutch pedal when you take your foot off it stays disengaged due to a friction washer in the pedal assembly.

[@4WardGarage]

I'm not a Harley guy, but this is why there are Harley guys. Great bike and great episode!

[@colinvos4443]

My Dad(1897-1979) had a Model J around 1927.He came from Holland and bought a farm in Selkirk,Manitoba. Here is what he told me about the bike. It was a non runner. He took it apart in 1928 and got it running. He had a few parts left over but it still ran. He'd asked a girl out for a ride(it had a pillion and a speedo)He revved it up and the girl promptly wet her pants. He had to take her home then. A Policeman stopped him once and asked him if he was going to the Hospital. No, he replied to which the cop said, ' if you keep driving like that you will be'. In the 60's I wanted a motorbike. My Dad said, no way. I told him, you had one. He told me there were no cars on the road then. Thanks for taking me on the ride my Dad never could. I did buy a motorbike long after my Dad passed. A BMW R75. I found pictures of Dad on the bike after my Mum died.Yes, a very narrow bike.

[@iainamurray]

Thank you for sharing.

[@MisterOcclusion]

Nice story. 👍 I live in Winnipeg. My dad was against me getting my license because he once wiped out on a Harley 45 long ago. I did it anyway, because I was almost 40 and wanted to try something new. My first bike was a KLR650. Current bike is a BMW1200GS I’ve had since 2012

[@dpeabodyjr]

My dad also wiped out on a Harley once upon a time, probably on a 40 something Harley. He said it was the only bike he ever owned. The only bike I ever saw him ride was my first bike, a 1983 Honda XR 80. He looked happy for that moment.

[@NooBiker]

Was your mum the pillion girl?

[@colinvos4443]

@@NooBiker Nope, not me Mum.

[@whollymindless]

Thanks to the owner for sharing this amazing bike.

[@AndrewElwell-ss7vb]

Zack Courts is definitely the real deal when it comes to motorcycle journalism. Nailed it with this one thanks

[@popaof3]

Nothing I hate more than seeing a beautiful machine on a shelf or behind glass . Ride them ,drive them or sail them that’s what they were made for Thanks to the owner and to you for this awesome channel

[@Friscorockhead]

One of the reasons I love Jay Leno so much. Every one of his vehicles is driven, or being worked on so that it can be driven. His garage is very much alive.

[@Sithhy]

Unless you have the money or know where to source vintage parts, keeping one on the road is just too difficult

[@Friscorockhead]

@@Sithhy keeping a whole collection running takes a lot of money, but an average guy can keep a classic car or motorcycle on the road pretty easily if he has some wrenching skills. In my opinion, the vehicle doesn't have to be perfect...just get it going and enjoy it. High end restorations are for rich people, for sure. I'd rather have a classic that has some bumps and bruises, and I'm not afraid to use it. That's achievable for a lot of people.

[@clf400]

@@Sithhy then dont have one. its a waste

[@rexxyonpc]

​@Friscorockhead that's why i brought a bike i need to fix. It's mine and I'll fix it with my own love and with my bare hands and I'll care about the looks when i have the money but for now a nice detail abs mechanical work and my baby will ride again❤

[@fxsaddles7985]

I’d love to watch Zach ride a motorcycle from every decade and talk about the advancements in each era. Next up, 1934!

[@bretwomack4143]

I started this video thinking "No way he's getting on the interstate." But it handled it well. Then I thought "no way he's going down the dirt section on this." but once again, and it was competent. "BUT NO WAY! HE"S NOT GONNA TRY A WHEELIE!" You proved me wrong every time. I'm glad our humble beginnings are distant specks in our mirrors, but that was a blast. Thanks Zack! I'll never get a chance to try it myself.

[@jamesmcnulty3035]

Just when I was thinking you were a sane guy too.❤

[@bretwomack4143]

@@jamesmcnulty3035 I'd love the chance to ride this machine. I started riding in about 1974, on an old Yamaha 60. By then things were generally standardized, with the clutch, brakes, shifter and throttle where they are now. (Although, I can't remember for sure if the shift pattern was upside down). My father, who is 89 only rode one bike in his life, he doesn't remember what it was, but it had to be rough to take your first ride in those days!

[@leoveroude4492]

So.....100 year old bike has cruise control 😅. Awesome experience Zach!!! Great 100th episode!!

[@pwlebrun4573]

LOL, I hadn’t thought of it like that, but I guess it does have CC. 😂

[@nordic-chan]

more like throttle control, which is a different thing. My brothers 64 XLCH has a similar throttle, but you still have to babysit it a lot to keep your speed consistent. Anyone who has used a throttle lock on their bike will know it's not super automatic, but it's nice if you need to rest your wrist a bit

[@jasonmeador124]

Okay, I am impressed -- impressed that Zack was brave enough to take it on the Highway and that it performed! Also, impressed that it does sound exactly like a Harley!

[@TH3G0ODGUY]

Harley goes to great trouble to only update things that wont change the character of the motor beyond it being recognizable as an HD. Thats how you end up with the Milwaukee 8, still aircooled and pushrod 45 degree vtwin, but with variable valve timing, 8 valves, knock sensors, and liquid cooled heads. Its a combination of the oldest of designs and is more modern in some ways than many race bikes. Very very weird and interesting motor!

[@usmcvet0313]

This is the coolest daily rider I have seen.

[@docskeekmo]

I can’t imagine how EASY getting back on a modern bike was after this ride!! Best episode ever!!!

[@samuelhatman8995]

71 years old...and you hooked me on my first visit to Daily Rider. I lived around your are in the 70's/80's, was a daily Honda 550/4 commuter all around the southern half of LA. It was so familiar and welcoming to hear you and see the sights. I have a V-Twin 84 700 Virago project that will put me back up on two wheels after 25 years. I subscribed and will catch up on the other 99 episodes... Thanks Zach!

[@cemotosteve]

Ride 'em don't hide 'em! As the owner of a few classic old bikes, I still enjoy riding every one of them. It's a great connection to the way motorcycles used to be and gives you an appreciation of how far we have advanced.

[@danielfrancis4258]

Dear God... This was nerve-racking! I've been riding for nearly 40 years and i held my breath a couple of times while watching this. Really liked the engine sound especially at highway speed, felt like it wasn't struggling at all to keep up with traffic. I really enjoyed this, thank you Zack! Greetings from Montréal, Québec. 🖖 👽 🇨🇦

[@ludwigvonbuzzthoven]

This was an amazing Daily Rider and one of the best. Kudos to Zack for taking that J on an LA freeway!

[@clydeosterhout1221]

Thank you so much for this review! My great grand father, a carpenter and glass blower, used to ride a J-frame to jobs all over PA, NY, and NJ. When I started riding in the 1980s everyone in my family “disapproved” except for my grandmother, who had fond memories of riding on the back of her daddy’s bike. Your review gives a better understanding of what those trips were like!

[@2hotFL]

This the best of the best Daily Rides episodes I've ever watched.

[@heiner71]

The sound of this bike is amazing.

[@imsurly7742]

The fact the model J is 100 years old, you rode your commute and even got on the highway, it absolutely deserved the #1 spot on your Classic List. Just my opinion, but awesome video!

[@_Makanko_]

Love the "Good luck" response on the wheelie. A great way to salute your 100th episode, honoring the history. I've enjoyed all of your 100 rides. Always great to read comments and get questions and answers. Lovely Daily Rider community. Sweet sweet bike.

[@whiskeyshots]

Not gonna lie. I usually watch these episodes at 1.5x. I watched this one at regular speed and savored every second of it. Thank you to the owner for letting Zack share this amazing piece of history with us.

[@kmkruswick]

Kudos to the owner for keeping it in such good shape! Great job Zach ❤

[@inzaneartworks3109]

Always love seeing the older bikes.

[@brianrudy3294]

"Agricultural, slow, weird, old stinky, but it's really cool" That's why I love my Harley. Thanks for a great episode. Look forward to 200.

[@wheelsandrevs]

It’s not just being able to ride fast on a track or off road, riding these bikes is a skill of its own and Zack aced it.

[@nctexan1970]

Thank you, and here is to the next 100 episodes. Cheers!

[@matthewpreston5634]

You must have nerves of steel to take that bike on the freeway! Brilliant episode! Thanks for all the rides!

[@stevemillerecon]

This thing is somehow both crude and and advanced. And a work of art!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Kids these days....... where's the TFT?

[@BigStreams_]

What a cool episode! I'm about ten minutes in and I've been inexplicably on the edge of my seat this whole time. How it operates is fascinating and I'm both nervous and excited for Zack at every stop, start, shift and lane change. Thanks for bringing this to us

[@Porkycheun]

Following you and Ari since before Revzilla, I’m glad you are still able to provide us with great content after that many years, thank you and happy 100th anniversary! 🎉😊

[@eskimo427]

As someone who owns a vintage bike and appreciates how difficult they can be too ride, you did an excellent job.

[@CraigSmith568]

What an awesome episode. Thank you Zac, Revzilla, and especially to the owner of this bike for bringing this episode to us. Although it placed low on the daily riders list it definitely ranks at the top of the cool bike list. My day is better having watched this.

[@TheRaceEdition]

Holy cow Zack that was awesome!! What a great way to celebrate your 100th episode!! What a fantastic achievement. Looking forward to the next 100! Bravo!

[@bhtooefr]

Not gonna lie, when I heard "9 horsepower", I was expecting the

[@exothermal.sprocket]

That's about Honda Grom power, but with a lot more torque. Honestly as someone who grew up on a dairy farm using older machinery, the tractor horsepower was never impressive. But the amount of work those machines did with prodigious torque, that was impressive.

[@alextopfer1068]

It probably makes a bit of torque, i cant imagine it spins much above 3k. The horizontal honda ones go up to like 8k or 9k

[@JoshuaTootell]

Torque doesn't make speed though, so 9 HP is still 9 HP. But the law is based on CC's, not HP.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I understand the relationship in the horsepower formula.

[@Rocketboy-qg6ts]

Stage coaches had 4, maybe 6 horses? And they weighed a lot more. People seem to forget that. We’re spoilt for horsepower these days. 😂

[@oramac7237]

I do believe I've seen all 100 episodes, and this one did not disappoint! Great bike to have on the show. Scary, to be sure, but damned if I wouldn't love to give it a ride as well!

[@No4murasame]

I’ve gotta be honest. I almost teared up looking at the machine going down the dirt road. Thanks a million to the owner who let Zach do it. You are the coolest. And one kick start and keeping up on highway? What a surprise, and what a treat. Thank you so much for this gift. It was a coolest episode. Congrats on the 100th!

[@jimmydishkawnt]

I thought the foot clutch is crazy but Jeez the starting sequence is on another level😅

[@albionjames1]

What an incredible bike. Still sounds and looks so good for 100 years old! Thanks for the video and wish you all a merry christmas!

[@danielklopp7007]

Hands down, the coolest Daily Ride yet! I'm still waiting for Zack & Ari to do a cross-country ride using a Honda CB350 and a Yamaha RD350 from the mid 70's (duplicating a ride I did with my high-school buddy when those bikes were new).

[@mattmattes3913]

Definitely a ride you'll remember. Hope to do it myself someday. The most trilling yet terrifying 45 MPH of your life. You'll never forget it and want to do it again as often as possible.

[@dourmoose]

Can’t believe it started on the first kick. 👍🏼

[@Robert-xs2mv]

He edited all the primer kicks out of the video.

[@Anton_G_604]

Wow, what a treat! This was an amazing episode. I can only imagine how stressful it was to ride a bike like this through the streets, but you did it so well and you managed to carry across what motorcycling was like 100 yeas ago. Truly fascinating, thank you Zach and a huge thanks to the owner who shared this piece of history with us.

[@donn5188]

Daily rider can end now-elite level of coolness achieved! Wonderful! TY!

[@jimmyjames2549]

Sir you rode this bike like you owned it since new. Impressive!!

[@witchdoctor6502]

I'm glad I live today where bikes have qs, abs and other features :) kudos to people who maintain and ride these old bikes, it is way better to see them on the road from time to time than sitting in museum. Also DR series is amazing, helped me to pick my new bike (890 smt) and now towards the end of the season I can say I agree with Zack's review.

[@hpenvy1106]

I guess you wouldn't need ABS and Co at the time. Sure every help is a good help, but on the other hand everything was slower, there wasn't much traffic and riders would have been more carefull :) You wouldn't put this bike on the edge of its tyre and yank the throttle like cracy 😅

[@jameshealy4594]

@hpenvy1106 I think you probably didn't need ABS because the brakes don't have enough power or bite to lock up 😂​

[@witchdoctor6502]

@@hpenvy1106 oh for sure, at those times these things weren't needed. I meant that I like today's bikes more with century of research and innovations behind them as we can have way more fun.

[@captainthruster9484]

Late 90's early 2k was the golden age. No rider mods, no ABS. Just like anything else, men were better back then

[@jakeusurungus]

So rad. A killer way to celebrate one of the best moto series around!

[@Nygle123]

Congrats on your 100th episode! Cool choice of bike to mark the occasion.

[@StarkVengeance]

Thank you, Zack. I had a good but tough day, and seeing this in my feed really helped my state of mind. As always is the case, your knowledge, good humor, and that familiar route got me out of my head and feeling the wind. Just beautiful, man ❤ Happy 100!! 🎉

[@igorkon]

Y-tube only allows one like for the video, but you should know that I would give this 100 likes with no doubts. What a legend! Both of you :-)

[@WillyBoyAnderson]

100% Awesome as always! 10/10.

[@ericg5416]

Thanks Zack for bringing us this episode! What a unique opportunity to ride this piece of history.

[@hpenvy1106]

21:10 that look down the single headlight actually reminds me more of a train then a motorcycle

[@AllenJeter20]

According to the National Motorcycle Museum and a few other sites it seems that bike had 18HP back in the day not 8. So that might explain why it feels more powerful than you thought it would be. Neat bike, thanks for the cool video.

[@commentaccount49]

I thought the old harley manuals rated them weird, maybe by single rotation or per cylinder. Maybe that's why he thought it was 9, or maybe the owner thinks it's 9 and told him that.

[@markkeyser]

When I was in high school two brothers rode a pair of late 40's Harleys. They were physically bigger but pretty similar in design. Great ride and video thanks!

[@williammcalpine1773]

Love the old iron. Enjoy these old bikes on country roads. Breathe the fresh air and the listen to the engine sound. Did a fantastic job in the city.

[@TheRealChetManley]

Modern Harley is quite divisive in the MC community. But most folks will agree that this is an awesome machine. The coolness and nostalgia factor have to make this rank pretty high on the board. It wouldn't be a daily rider, but most riders would love to have something like this in their rotation. I certainly would.

[@errickkitchin36]

I've watched Daily Rider since the beginning days, and this has to be the coolest one yet.

[@ImmaPatato-l5o]

This has to be the coolest thing I have seen on KZbin.

[@richardlindsey7112]

This is the first positive review of a Harley I think you have ever done

[@tommartz1909]

Very impressed that you can ride it so well. Funny to watch how much effort the old bikes needed to ride.

[@tjey379]

100! Congratulations! That bike really highlights how inpatient we are bickering over quick shifters, traction control and so on. Nice adventure though.

[@SirOsisofLiver]

Awesome episode! Love the bike and major props to the owner for letting you have a go!

[@arts.4014]

Great ride! The fact you did it on a bike with controls you aren't fully familiar with is amazing! My friend has a 1928 that has run the Motorcycle Cannonball twice. He says that once you get over the quirks of the suicide shift and all of the other 'operating differences' it's just fun! You're not struggling to remember what to do, but enjoying the quirkiness of riding a dinosaur! I think 'burping' it to get extra oil in is to use the little 'Colman lantern' pump on the left tank to squirt the extra oil in, maybe cutting the throttle, like you did, does the same. BTW, the cases and title are 1924, but in the 1924 frame/tanks had a flat top, this frame/tanks are the design that was used from 1925 - 1929.

[@CheeseCakeLova]

This episode felt like an early Christmas present

[@buckdashe2571]

The juxtaposition of being at a stoplight next to the Tesla at 26:24 is not lost on anyone. Cool and appropriate ride for the 100th, Zack. Ranking: The cool factor may have bumped it beyond the Trail 90 but IDK. (I commuted from SanJuan Capistrano to San Clemente on a Trail 70 back in 1983 so I AM a little biased…😎)

[@hal5119]

Great way to celebrate the 100th Daily Rider! And a surprise I didn't see coming. You could play drums with coordination like that. Great job & thanks.

[@ROYVDL12]

Your enthusiasm to ride the HD Model J was enjoyable. I can imagine the conflict to operate it in "It's way" rather than modern use of controls. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonathanouellet713]

Thx Zack for this memorable episode 🙏We have to give credit to the older generation of men who were able to tame this kind of machine and make it evolve to what bikes are today. Motorcycles have come a long way since then. Respect 💪

[@903lew]

We remember those who could and forgot the ones who ended up too young in a hedge. I’m thankful for all of them as I can honestly say without those pioneers I most certainly would have been in the latter category by now. But man, what a gorgeous bike.

[@lfelixmartinez]

Beautiful piece of motorcycle history. Incidentally, it is obvious to me how challenging it was to ride it because you were fairly out of breath at the end of the ride. I felt exhausted just watching it. Glad you made it to work - great ride!

[@JibsMotoVlog]

Congratulation Zack. I can't stop smiling watching this video. Thanks

[@litreland764]

Wow, whoever owns that has done a great job keeping it running beautifully

[@timsatchell6713]

Probably one of the best Daily Riders I've watched. Absolutely amazing beast. With a brother that's been building choppers for years, I could imagine building a close as possible replica out of an old 883.😅 Pretty brave taking an 8hp bike out of the inside lane. Respect.

[@Berserkism]

You and your bro sipping Bud Light 😂

[@joshuahunt8513]

Don't know why, but watching Zack shift up and down the gears was so satisfying.

[@allrad4911]

Cheers mate, good to see you again. I wish you and the production team a merry holiday season! 🎉

[@donalddesilets7640]

I never thought you would take it on the freeway! Kudos to you man!

[@lloydhudson5544]

Lots of things come to mind - the WW1 vet who'd seen the horrors of trench warfare riding on the gravel and dirt roads on an old Harley (or Indian or Excelsior) across America. And probably didn't have much fear after everything they'd experienced. Also, the contrast between the Model J and a CB750K0 really shows the motorcycling revolution the Japanese invaders kicked off. Well done, Daily Rider!

[@ericearhart]

Bro, there is no way I would get on the highway with that thing. You've got guts!

[@cinnamonmailbox]

Well, there it is. The coolest thing I'll see for the rest of the year

[@leebaker3642]

I have never been so nervous watching a motorcycle video before. Great choice for the 100th episode!

[@grosbeakmc]

Great job, Zack - I think you handled it very well. One of the more interesting Daily Riders I've seen. Cheers to the owner for loaning it out!

[@abellopes15]

The fact you didn't stall it once is remarkable. Honestly staggered 😂

[@ducnut]

Coolest bike ever featured on DR.

[@ChrisS-sw1ll]

I like to think the model J enjoyed the ride too. 😄

[@SSS-mp8th]

Very cool. That start up procedure and shifting is wild. Makes me want a RE classic 650.

[@ribbit876]

The fact you could indeed ride that across LA alive is incredible.

[@PeterAqualung]

I never really understood the Harley charm, but this episode and this magnificent beast of a bike surely helped

[@jnault6441]

It's a contraption, and contraptions are wildly fun to operate.

[@houseofroos]

Awesome episode and what a creative way to celebrate 100! 🎉

[@rustynorris7]

Howdy from Texas ! Thank you Zack and RevZilla for all the daily rider vids. They were an asset that helped tremendously on our decision to buy my 23 r1250 gsa and the Honda trail 125. Thanks to the Harley owner for allowing us the experience through you. Keep it going! Ride safe !

[@Hansengineering]

Jeeezus that's a lot of mental engagement to ride.

[@4G63TDSM]

Mental engagement? Here I'm wondering how to do a hill start without an original front brake . 😂

[@runrin_]

​@@4G63TDSM it's called a suicide clutch for a reason...

[@FrozenCrapholeDweller]

This is undoubtedly my favorite Daily Rider episode. The nostalgia is what gets me. Nice work getting her on here!

[@Legotruck82]

When you come home with the wrong kind of litre bike

[@umakantgajjewar8898]

Not 'wrong' kind..this is the 'right' kind of liter bike !!

[@SteveRay020]

I got sweaty palms watching this - the handlebars look fragile, like the ones on an old-fashioned bicycle, and the highway merging made me pace the room. Not to mention the fact that the "brakes were not a priority" 😂. Heroic video, you just gotta love this bike!

[@g0rt664]

You are a very skilled rider to take that on the highway bud 👍. Let’s call it fearless ❤

[@jpdninja5501]

100 year old bike = sounds better than any other bike ever.