Picture of Grandparents Harley from 50+ years ago...
#102
12-02-2008, 12:23 AM
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Location: Wisconsin
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#103
12-02-2008, 03:48 AM
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Pulled out my How to Restore Your Harley Davidson book for a look-see at some details that would date your grandfather's bike. I think the bike is a 1940 EL, a 61 inch OHV, commonly known as a Knucklehead. Here's what I found -
- 1940 was the first year for the metal tear drop tank emblem. 1940 was also the only year that the emblem had the pin striping around it. In 1941 the pin striping was replaced by a piece of stainless steel trim that passed horizontally down the sides of the tank.
- 1940 was the last year for the 6" air cleaner. With the 6" unit, the front exhaust pushrod cover is completely visible. In 1941 HD went to the 7" air cleaner and it hid part of the push rod tube.
- 1940 was the only year for the 8-rib sand-cast gear cover on a Knuck.
- The teardrop toolbox was first offered on the 1940 models, but was fastened to the older style mount, which looks like what is on your Grandfather's bike.
- 1940 bikes had tail lights the same color as the bike. 1941 & later had black painted tail lights. (Note that this could obviously be changed by anyone with a bit of paint, so I don't consider it conclusive.)
- Couple interesting items I noticed: Grandad installed either an optional or a custom muffler. And I believe it also has the optional wheels, as 1940 models came standard with 18 inch rather than 16 inch.
At any rate, the bike is beautiful, Grandmother is a beauty in her own right, and Grandfather is one blessed dude to have had such a lady, a bike, and grandkids who'd do something such as this.
- 1940 was the first year for the metal tear drop tank emblem. 1940 was also the only year that the emblem had the pin striping around it. In 1941 the pin striping was replaced by a piece of stainless steel trim that passed horizontally down the sides of the tank.
- 1940 was the last year for the 6" air cleaner. With the 6" unit, the front exhaust pushrod cover is completely visible. In 1941 HD went to the 7" air cleaner and it hid part of the push rod tube.
- 1940 was the only year for the 8-rib sand-cast gear cover on a Knuck.
- The teardrop toolbox was first offered on the 1940 models, but was fastened to the older style mount, which looks like what is on your Grandfather's bike.
- 1940 bikes had tail lights the same color as the bike. 1941 & later had black painted tail lights. (Note that this could obviously be changed by anyone with a bit of paint, so I don't consider it conclusive.)
- Couple interesting items I noticed: Grandad installed either an optional or a custom muffler. And I believe it also has the optional wheels, as 1940 models came standard with 18 inch rather than 16 inch.
At any rate, the bike is beautiful, Grandmother is a beauty in her own right, and Grandfather is one blessed dude to have had such a lady, a bike, and grandkids who'd do something such as this.
#104
12-02-2008, 06:51 AM
Thank you "Pococj" for your research. One of the local dealerships thought it was a 41, but your information looks to be more detailed. I will hopefully find out more information from Grandpa at Christmas time and I'm planning on sending the (3) pictures to Enthusiast Magazine so watch for the pics, although that won't happen until after Christmas so I can get some more information from grandparents.
Don't mind my brother, deep down, he knows who has the nicest bike in the pic....Ahem (cough, cough) pic below.....
Don't mind my brother, deep down, he knows who has the nicest bike in the pic....Ahem (cough, cough) pic below.....
#107
12-02-2008, 08:45 AM
#109
12-02-2008, 12:39 PM
Cruiser
#110
12-02-2008, 01:30 PM
I posted before but again great job, was just thinking how lucky you are to still have your grandparents and you need to be sure to take their pictures and post them. Not to steel your thread but I thought it might be fun to get a thread on members first bike pictures? How do you scan a picture and then get it in photobucket??