Classic Flathead-powered 1947 Harley UL: History for Sale
An important piece of Harley history could be yours for the right price.
Craigslist can be a decent place to find used bikes, especially if you’re looking for a bargain on a project bike that might need a little work. What you don’t expect to find on Craigslist is bona-fide classics like this 1947 Harley-Davidson UL.
According to the seller, this 1947 Harley has been in his family since 1974. It’s been gradually restored over the years, with an engine rebuild 20 years ago and new wheels 10 years ago. More recently, it’s had the carburetor overhauled as well.
All of the work was completed with original, new old stock (NOS) Harley-Davidson parts. The only non-original components are said to be the battery box and the muffler.
It’s apparently only traveled 200 miles in two decades, and is said to run very well. This classic family heirloom would look great in anyone’s garage or living room. At $22,000, it’s an expensive display piece, but well worth the price of admission if you ask us.
The Harley-Davidson UL used the tried-and-tried Flathead engine, in contrast to the high-tech (for the time) EL Knucklehead. While the Flathead lacked the overhead-valve finesse of the Knucklehead engine, it was a solid powerplant that saw service in World War II, proving its stone-cold reliability.
That’s not to say that the Flathead seen in this 1947 Harley-Davidson UL was the same engine that had debuted way back in 1929. In 1937, the Flathead was upgraded with the modern recirculating oil system first seen in the Knucklehead.
The Knucklehead, Harley’s first overhead valve design, was an important technological leap for the company. However, it had its share of teething problems. Meanwhile, the Flathead offered simplicity and serviceability.
Harley-Davidson’s diversified model lineup helped to keep the lights on at Harley-Davidson during this important period. The racers, as well as those who wanted the latest and greatest, could have a Knucklehead if they so chose. Mail carriers, police departments, and anyone who relied on their motorcycle for daily transportation could pick the Flathead.
When the US Army came knocking just before World War II, Harley-Davidson responded with the WLA. The Army wanted a simple, tough, and reliability in all manner of extreme conditions, where service parts may be few and far between. Naturally, these bikes were Flathead powered.
During the course of the war, Harley would produce over 90,000 of these motorcycles, with many finding homes with servicemen after the war. As these young men began customizing their bikes, it gave birth to the chopper – and the motorcycle culture we know and love today.
It may not be the fanciest thing on two wheels, but it’s hard to deny that the Flathead may be the most important engine Harley-Davidson ever produced.
