Here’s a mystery that we would love to help solve. Who are these brave riders? We have a few clues to help out. The picture was taken somewhere around 1930. The glare ice our fearless bikers are traversing is floating atop the Monongahela River in Fairmont, WV. That bridge in the background, called the “Million Dollar Bridge”, was new at the time of this photograph. The crossing was rebuilt a few years ago and its replacement is called the Mollahan Bridge. So, who are these intrepid guys?

Let’s go one further. What are they riding? We’re thinking these are Harley-Davidson twins that were produced in several variations during the 1920’s. Note that the bike in the middle seems to have a slightly different shape to the fuel tank and fenders. Our best guess is that this may be a pre-1925 Model “JD” or “FD”. Touted as the “Superpowered Twin”, these bikes churned out a whopping 18 horsepower from their 74-inch motors. With the help of a three-speed gearbox, the bike had a top end somewhere around 75 mph.

The two bikes on its flanks seem to have teardrop-shaped tanks, which appeared on the D’s beginning with the 1925 models. But the shape of the front fender on these two bikes leads us to think that they may not be D’s. Are they actually “J” series machines? If so, they were rare bikes even when they were new. The twin-cam power plant was offered in two sizes. The “JH” had a 61-inch displacement and the “JDH” used the same crankcase, but was bored and stroked to 74 inches. Harley only produced the J’s in 1928 and 1929 because their high price tag of $360 ($370 for the bigger motor) put them out of most people’s reach. Topping out at around 85mph, they were the hot rods of the day and helped inspire the “bad boy” image of bikers that still lingers in the public psyche.

So, again, who are these guys and what are they riding? If you have real information that could answer either of these questions, we want to hear from you. Click here to help us solve the mystery. Please put “Ice Riders” on the subject line.

Terry Summers owns this photograph as well as Pinch Gut Holler Cycles. The story behind it comes to us from Porter Stiles. Thanks, Brothers.