What year Harley?

mrtexas

mrtexas

Well-known member
What year Harley?
 

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Even if this was a Harley forum, it would probably take more pictures or a better one to tell the exact year.


Sal
 
Knucklehead engine,
Made from 1936 to 1947. If I could see the tank emblem I could narrow down the year.
 
A person can see a bit of a badge next to the knee but it may be a decal. My 47 has the ball and spear. The earlier ones back to 1940 had the teardrop badge and some had the flat trim that ran from front to rear. Decals were used up to 1940.

Since they weren't made for civilian sales during the war, I'd figure it to be between 1940 and 1946. That narrows it down to around 4 years for civilian production. The badge looks like the teardrop type from what I can see of it. Most knuckle heads were EL models (61 cubic inch) but there were some 74 cubic inch FL models made too, just not near as many. Most military models were 45 cubic inch flatheads and they also had the big UL flatheads in the same time frame.
 
rotorwrench said:
A person can see a bit of a badge next to the knee but it may be a decal. My 47 has the ball and spear. The earlier ones back to 1940 had the teardrop badge and some had the flat trim that ran from front to rear. Decals were used up to 1940.

Since they weren't made for civilian sales during the war, I'd figure it to be between 1940 and 1946. That narrows it down to around 4 years for civilian production. The badge looks like the teardrop type from what I can see of it. Most knuckle heads were EL models (61 cubic inch) but there were some 74 cubic inch FL models made too, just not near as many. Most military models were 45 cubic inch flatheads and they also had the big UL flatheads in the same time frame.
Click to expand...
Great stuff Rotor. Love en all but I’m not the most knowledgeable on Knucks as I’m a Pan guy 48 & 59 owner
 
them darn hippys in the 60's would cut up perfectly good ford wish bones to extend the forks on a harley springer front end. damn kids!
 
I'd say, judging by what i can see of the front fender, that its a circa 1942 WLA. The military bikes had non skirted fenders to prevent mud building up on the battlefield.
 
Nope, not WLA, those were 45 cubic inch flatheads, this one is an OHV knucklehead, plus as you say, fenders were much thinner overall.
 
I believe two thin chrome strips were added to the badge on the side of the gas tank for 41 so maybe a 40 Knucklehead.
 
You might try Mike Wolfe of the "Pickers". He replied to an email i sent once.
Just Google Antique Archeology . Also Wheels Through Time from the tv show What's In The Barn. mike
 
The horizontal trim strips may have been optional in the years offered. The basic model like the EL may not have had the extra trim. I've seen them with and without but I don't know for sure. Dealers installed some of that stuff upon request or they would sell you a kit. Willie G might remember. There aren't as many guys from that era around these days. Early 40s guestimate is good enough for me.
 
Tex, can you say what year Aunt Marie was born? That could possibly help with a cut-off year.

Mart.
 
I had a 1941, and it had a friction shock that was adjustable for smoother or stiffer ride. My next one was a 1947 and had the shock like in the picture. Both the 41 and the 47 had chrome handle bars as well as the "crash bars" on the side, so I am guessing it to be between 1942 and 1946, (war time models) possibly even a military or law enforcement model. I know a lot of military models, if not all were "45's" but the lack of chrome, makes me to think this, how ever during these years dealers added and deleted a lot, in order to make them more affordable and to suit the buyer's budget. If only we could see the side it would be easier to pin down. Wish I had the 41 and/or the 47 back.
 
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