Hillclimbers are some of the most interesting historically significant motorcycles out there. As high-dollar auctions like Bonham’s and Mecum have demonstrated, the right hillclimber in good condition can be worth a literal fortune. One of my favorites is the 1928 Excelsior Big Bertha Hillclimber that sold at a Vegas Mecum auction earlier this year for $117,500. This 1923 H-D Twin-Cam hill climber is in remarkable condition for a 94-year-old used off-road bike that competed in treacherous events. This example also features a rare modified keystone frame which definitely adds value to this already elite motorcycle, as does the AMA hall-of-famer who piloted it.
Wrapped around this example’s post-WW1 era factory 1200cc engine is a keystone frame that – according to the seller – was updated at the factory to accommodate “experimental” lifters. The keystone frame was first used in 1919 for Harley’s model W (aka the Sport model) and was the first completely new frame design from the American manufacturer (opposed to updated versions of existing H-D frames). The new frame design was partially born out of the extensive R&D Harley could afford immediately following the war’s end in 1918, which lead to Harley delivering the keystone frame which used the engine as a stressed member of the chassis. The keystone frame would be phased out of use the year following this 1923 example’s creation but gained unexpected popularity overseas in Europe.
Herb Reiber – who raced this example – had a long and successful half-century career in the motorcycle world. He worked as a factory service instructor, engine developer, hillclimb racer, and tuner for Harley-Davidson. Reiber worked in Harley’s experimental racing department and was part of the team that was responsible for the 45ci twin-cam overhead-valve V-twin engine that was used in various hillclimbing seasons. In 1929 Harley would develop a dedicated 45ci racing powerplant that Reiber and his fellow H-D riders piloted for several seasons, earning more than their share of wins with the machine along the way.
After his career with Harley, Herb and his wife Babe would open an Indian dealership in DC that would eventually grow to carry BSA, Triumph, and Ariel models. He would continue being involved in racing and hill climbing, even finishing second at the ’56 Sportsman Hillclimb at the National Capital Motorcycle Club event in Washington, D.C. in the 1,000cc class aboard an Indian. In the 1960’s he would spend a good deal of time tuning Triumph flat trackers before he passed away in 1977. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998 however, sealing and ensuring his legacy. Herb Reiber is undeniably something of a legend in the American motorcycle industry and the fact he rode this example definitely makes it that much more special. The ad doesn’t specify but Herb likely worked on and developed it as well.
A few years ago OldMotor.com did a cool piece about a film showing hill climbing in the 1930’s and despite it being almost 20-minutes, it’s still pretty cool and worthy of at least a partial watch.
I also found William S. Harley’s April 25th, 1919 patent for Harley’s 1923 twin-cam overhead valve racing engine that’s also worth a look. Though the price may seem steep, a 1930 Factory H-D Hillclimber sold at a 2015 Mecum auction for $181,500 so this price tag seems relatively reasonable. The seller also says he has all the documentation to go along with the bike which is a must with antique historical machines in this price bracket.
One last interesting fact about this example was that it was made in 1923, which was two years after H-D had officially ceased involvement in professional racing. They did however continue to provide specific riders with machines via the established dealer networks, with this example seemingly being one of those machines. You can find this 1923 Harley-Davidson Twincam Factory Racing Hillclimber for sale in New York here on Craigslist with a price of $165,000.