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OriginalWorld War I-era real photo postcard (RPPC)showing a U.S. serviceman with a military motorcycle.
The reverse has a handwritten identification that appears to read“Clarence Collier when in Service.”The surname is difficult to read and cannot be confirmed.
The motorcycle tank is marked“U.S.”followed by a partially legible identification number. The final three digits523are clear, and the preceding digit appears to be9. The complete number cannot be confirmed.
The motorcycle is consistent with a1917–1918 Harley-Davidson 61 cu. in. F-head V-twin, F/J-series type. The exact model cannot be confirmed from the photograph.
Atraction chain is fitted around the rear tire. U.S. Army motorcycle regulations from 1918 included tire chains as motorcycle real photo postcard / serviceman with military motorcycle
Reverse inscription appears to read“Clarence Collier when in Service”
Surname not fully certain
Motorcycle tank marked“U.S.”
Partial identification number visible
Final digits523clear; preceding digit appears to be9
Probable1917–1918 Harley-Davidson 61 cu. in. F-head V-twin
F/J-series type
Exact model cannot be confirmed
Conventional curved fenders
Rear tire fitted with traction chain
Rider wearing goggles and heavy service/riding clothing
French-language divided postcard back
Marked“CARTE POSTALE – Correspondance – and edge wear, discoloration, spotting/staining and surface wear. Heavier staining is present along the right side, with a spot near the serviceman’s forehead and goggles. Handwriting on reverse. Please review scans for condition.
Historical ContextHarley-Davidson supplied motorcycles to the U.S. military during World War I.
The motorcycle has the curved fenders and overall configuration associated with the1917–1918 Harley-Davidson F/J-series 61 cu. in. V-twin. The Model F and Model J shared the same basic engine and chassis, and the visible details are not sufficient to identify the exact model.
U.S. Army motorcycle regulations from 1918 included tire chains as motorcycle equipment, consistent with the chain visible around the rear tire.
TheFrench-language “CARTE POSTALE” backstrongly suggests the postcard was produced in France and is consistent with U.S. military service there during WWI. The exact location is not identified.
The serviceman’s name appears to readClarence Collier, but the surname cannot be confirmed, so no specific unit or service record is being attributed to him.
