The Genius Engineering Of Harley-Davidson's Knucklehead

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  • čas přidán 16. 06. 2022
  • Dale's Wheels Through Time Museum, located in Maggie Valley, NC, features over 375 American motorcycles, unique cars, and transportation history.
    For more information about the museum, visit www.wheelsthroughtime.com
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Komentáře • 138

  • @jbradkilpatrick
    @jbradkilpatrick Před rokem +15

    One of the best channels on CZcams. Keep them coming.

  • @av8rshane491
    @av8rshane491 Před rokem +1

    Why do I love the Knucklehead so much, maybe because I might have a little a little knucklehead in me! Always had motorcycles throughout my life but airplanes were my main passion and got to fly golden era of aviation aircraft which remind me of the old Harleys, big bore, lopping idle, smoke belching on start, low rev radial engines. My definition of a great day would be to jump on a Knucklehead, ride to the airport and go fly a 1928 Curtiss Robin or Stearman. Fell in love with the knucklehead the first time I saw one and what a great example Matt’s putting together. Love this channel Matt’s passion is obvious and he learned from the best!

  • @easycrider7453
    @easycrider7453 Před rokem +5

    Love all the knowledge you share and I gain, thankyou. As I watch this I imagine my dad working on his knuckle heads after he returned from WWII as an aircraft mechanic.

  • @sicfifty3401
    @sicfifty3401 Před rokem +5

    I'm drooling over that beautiful work

  • @Fezzler61
    @Fezzler61 Před rokem +8

    Such a joy to watch the careful attention to detail.

  • @2000tc88
    @2000tc88 Před rokem +5

    This is just GOLD. I cant wait to see more of this build. I have just bought a 46 so I am trying to find all I can about the Knuckleheads. Many thanks for sharing.

    • @tomb.8485
      @tomb.8485 Před rokem +3

      Lucky you!

    • @2000tc88
      @2000tc88 Před rokem

      @@tomb.8485 yeah I'm pretty happy. 👍

  • @pameladunn7346
    @pameladunn7346 Před rokem +4

    a wealth of information ... and a gift of sharing that knowledge "awesome"

  • @calysagora3615
    @calysagora3615 Před rokem +11

    This is the most beautiful engine ever designed, full stop.
    Been dreaming of a Knucklehead bobber ever since I had to sell my WLA.

  • @kingsoutdoors4379
    @kingsoutdoors4379 Před rokem

    Words can't describe how much satisfaction and knowledge I get out of your videos, in hopes of building myself a bike named after My Late Wife Harriet who passed a year ago. a R.N of 22 years.... I'm 52 and I just want to be able to Ride for a couple years while I'm still able. Lost everything, became homeless than lost Her..... Me riding an old harley is my last dream... Some how some way .... Pretty sure it will be a panhead...... Can only imagine what it must be like to own an old knuckle 😊 Thank You Sir ...God Bless

  • @BennyTygohome
    @BennyTygohome Před rokem +19

    I really like your shop and especially the museum. It's incredible what your family has in motorcycle history.

  • @t.s.racing
    @t.s.racing Před rokem +14

    Great job Matt. That Toyota sealant is excellent and I've used the Honda Bond for Harley bottom end cases for decades, never ever a leak. Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha bond are all the same. Cheaper and way easier to find than Three Bond, and gives the EXACT same result. I do lap my case halves together as well.

    • @johnmcclain3887
      @johnmcclain3887 Před rokem +2

      I retired a few years ago, and used "hondabond" since about 95, as you say, don't leak a bit, and stay together for tens of thousands.

  • @justingreen4450
    @justingreen4450 Před rokem

    Thanks for taking all the time and energy to work on my new bike. I really appreciate it. See you in November.

  • @rustyshackleford309
    @rustyshackleford309 Před rokem +1

    The second you pulled out the Toyota seal packing, I knew you were truly one of the special techs haha. I love that stuff.

    • @tomb.8485
      @tomb.8485 Před rokem +1

      That will be something I never forget. Along with my Harley, I have two Toyotas. Had more Toyotas in the past and never had an oil leak with hundreds of thousands of miles on them.

  • @thumpershd
    @thumpershd Před rokem +10

    Fantastic! Love the care and precision you put into every rebuild. Thanks for showing the step by step Matt!

  • @anthonymiller8989
    @anthonymiller8989 Před rokem

    Susan & Tony here, Vary nice work , making dad so proud every day. Sure hope you pass this on to the next generation. Thanks

  • @ashtonmariefranklin725

    I love old technology and the history behind it. Even since as a kid I loved the Harley-Davidson Knucklehead engine. Something about it has always drawn my to it. The beauty of it's design and the iconic sound it makes.

  • @mlienert7
    @mlienert7 Před rokem

    Thanks for letting the world enjoy motorcycles with you. All the best from Australia 👍🇦🇺🤠

  • @user-iy6de7qi1r
    @user-iy6de7qi1r Před 3 měsíci

    Back in the mid seventies, Arlen Ness built a 93 inch knuckle with a sportster tranny and a Kieth Magnuson blower on a Northern California style chassis. It was at a shop I part-timed as a Marine in Kaneohe, Hawaii. It was wicked fast and stuck a valve just about every time it ran. A lot of fun to work on and ride.

  • @lewismocaby3646
    @lewismocaby3646 Před rokem +4

    One of my favorite videos so far. Still have a little bit of tig welding to finish on my front exhaust side but almost to this same point myself. Totally agree with the number of hours it takes to assemble one of these correctly. Spent way too long straightening spring cups and repairing and replacing the oil lines on them. Keep up the great work.

  • @browngreen933
    @browngreen933 Před rokem +3

    So true about old Bill Harley's genius in the Knucklehead. They carried the Knucklehead genius though the Evolution motor. Only with the TC-88 did they become deviant and off-the-wall.

  • @maxdavies5776
    @maxdavies5776 Před rokem

    Nice workmanship.
    Man knows his bikes.

  • @thinman8621
    @thinman8621 Před rokem

    Haven't owned a Harley in years but I like these videos. Thanks

  • @actung4307
    @actung4307 Před rokem +4

    I love these videos. You are so knowledgeable and present information in such an easy way. Keep up the great work!

  • @PotatoeJoe69
    @PotatoeJoe69 Před rokem +8

    What are the odds I'd specifically search for this channel, and you just uploaded your first video on days, mere seconds ago lol

    • @wheelsthroughtime
      @wheelsthroughtime  Před rokem +2

      Thanks for watching! Subscribe and turn the bell on, and you'll be the first to see every video.

  • @Patriot-up2td
    @Patriot-up2td Před rokem

    Thanks for letting us sit in with you. That was really interesting to watch!

  • @rick-kx7gy
    @rick-kx7gy Před rokem

    What a crowning moment from an incredible amount of behind the scenes work . Had me drooling .

  • @aishayana4298
    @aishayana4298 Před 21 hodinou

    Nice job on the heads Matt !😊

  • @Chuck-vv3wu
    @Chuck-vv3wu Před rokem +1

    What precision and meticulous work done on the knuckle,great job! It’s a shame I live down under, I would have bought a few tickets, Great job Matt.

  • @mconfluence
    @mconfluence Před rokem +1

    I think those are the best looking heads for a older Harley Davidson engine. Great detailed video. Keep up the great work and video's.

  • @johnmcclain3887
    @johnmcclain3887 Před rokem

    That's a beautiful set of heads. I worked on a knuckle Arlen Ness built in the early seventies, when I was stationed out in Hawaii, at a shop I wrenched in for three years. It was a 93 inch Magneson blown belt driven with a sportster tranny in one of his first frames. I did the valves several times absent a new set of guides that were worn out, at a time in my life I didn't realize I could make guides, so redid a bad job several times just to fire it up for a show. I used Kibblewhite valves most of the years I built engines, those heads look pristine, gorgeous going together like that. I hope I get to hear it fire up. Thanks for showing this build.

  • @paulmartin8212
    @paulmartin8212 Před rokem +2

    How cool your teaching us about the evolution of horsepower. Weather it's a bike, a car, truck or airplane as the engineers figured out how to make a better "air pump" the horsepower rose. I enjoy your channel and hope to visit sometime.

  • @larskristiansen9158
    @larskristiansen9158 Před rokem +1

    Its much love for a great motor to be found here. Lovely!

  • @coreyelmendorf6335
    @coreyelmendorf6335 Před rokem

    Dang... Matt.
    Awesome. Love the details and information you provide.

  • @Handskemager
    @Handskemager Před rokem

    Great video! I’ve always loved the Knucklehead over all the others

  • @MarkBoese
    @MarkBoese Před rokem

    Beautiful. I am coming to Pigeon Forge in September, and will make time to see your museum. SO looking forward to it.

  • @JESUS-POTENTATE
    @JESUS-POTENTATE Před rokem

    Showing this assembly is a great thing you are doing. It is extremely helpful to so many who want to build a knuckle head RIGHT. THANK YOU..

  • @Nowherenotime
    @Nowherenotime Před rokem +1

    FYI
    The gasket sealer by Toyota is made by LocTite /Permatex as Ultra Black , Honda and Nissan is Ultra Grey and for everyone else Ultra Blue .

  • @jeffboudman9305
    @jeffboudman9305 Před rokem

    That’s more like art than mechanics. Beautiful work!

  • @markwhitney9175
    @markwhitney9175 Před rokem

    Great explanation on assembly Matt.

  • @billmillar7234
    @billmillar7234 Před rokem

    Was down to see the museum this Spring... wonderful time.... could have spent days.....love the 37.....I did buy tickets!!!......the staff was fun and knowledgeable..... recommend it as a must see

  • @davidbaldwin1591
    @davidbaldwin1591 Před rokem

    I respect the clean space all the way. Still, it's amazing that mechanics built them in the grubby little shacks we used years ago.

  • @rjnation5042
    @rjnation5042 Před rokem +1

    Always amazes me how many guys have that Toyota gasket goo in there workshop, it's brilliant stuff, Rj in Oz

  • @flyknotrancher4158
    @flyknotrancher4158 Před rokem

    Fingers crossed for the win!

  • @HarleyGeezer1954
    @HarleyGeezer1954 Před rokem

    Counting the days to be there.

  • @steveshoemaker6347
    @steveshoemaker6347 Před rokem

    Amazing design......Thanks Matt....Shoe🇺🇸

  • @philly2x
    @philly2x Před rokem

    I appreciate the amount of knowledge that is exuded during these videos.

  • @americanbornwalkaway9110

    Very Interesting to watch and Learn LOVE that Bike

  • @steveschneider3872
    @steveschneider3872 Před rokem +1

    Love these vids.

  • @talesfromthescrypt
    @talesfromthescrypt Před rokem

    Just found you on bikes and beards, need a new channel to binge love this already

  • @leelarson2655
    @leelarson2655 Před rokem

    I love to watch mat . How he intelligent person about motorcycles. Thank you. I love motorcycles .but I am disabled with cerebral Palsy so I can not ride one. I am trying to come over thank you again

  • @cameronlawrence1254
    @cameronlawrence1254 Před rokem

    Brilliant as usual! Learn a lot that’s for sure.

  • @joeoregan170
    @joeoregan170 Před rokem

    Great channel love from Australia

  • @JohnSmith-xs4sx
    @JohnSmith-xs4sx Před rokem

    Toyota seal packing......as a retired Toyota master tech I approve of this message...great stuff :)

  • @clarkbabin9799
    @clarkbabin9799 Před rokem

    I'd love to sit with you and work on an engine. You explain everything so well it was almost like I was there.

    • @wheelsthroughtime
      @wheelsthroughtime  Před rokem +1

      That's the mission, to preserve and educate! Thanks for watching.

  • @KRAVER_
    @KRAVER_ Před rokem

    Thanks for sharing , Great Video !!

  • @yahweh1x543
    @yahweh1x543 Před rokem +1

    I like coating my gaskets with yamabond or copper spray. I'm going to try visiting the museum this fall! I've driven past it hundreds of times never realizing it was there.

  • @Scoodee17
    @Scoodee17 Před rokem

    Great way to spend my work break 👍

  • @dennymcfastlane8530
    @dennymcfastlane8530 Před 5 měsíci

    At 3:54 Obviously Matt has never seen a Tatro Machine Shop video~~hahaha.

  • @bikesandacreage8885
    @bikesandacreage8885 Před rokem

    Great stuff!

  • @user-od8hi3bv7n
    @user-od8hi3bv7n Před rokem

    I hope to visit your museum. From Ukraine.

  • @tenlittleindians
    @tenlittleindians Před rokem +2

    You mentioned it's a oil pump that pumps the oil to the rocker boxes and that I understand; it's the vacuum part I find never got explained. I always thought most Harley Heads had return oil passages that worked by gravity.
    And that Toyota schmoo sounds nice in theory but am I going to miss that smell of "Indian Head" brand gasket sealer lingering around even longer than the stains it leaves on my fingers?

    • @NBSV1
      @NBSV1 Před rokem +2

      It has a second stage to the pump that pulls the oil back out and pumps it back to the tank. If it doesn’t seal right it can’t suck the oil back out as well. As I understand it the vacuum box is where the oil collects to get sucked back up.

    • @mattwalksler
      @mattwalksler Před rokem +1

      A mechanical breather valve uses crankcase pressure to pull oil out of the valve spring cups, through the rocker box, then it gravity feeds back town the pushrod tubes, through the tapper blocks and cam cover, into the sip cavity then back through the oil pump and back to the tank.
      Thanks for watching the channel! We appreciate your support!!

  • @darwinortiz6394
    @darwinortiz6394 Před 4 měsíci

    Great video.

  • @dutchy213
    @dutchy213 Před rokem

    This was great 👍🏿

  • @offgridoldfart8110
    @offgridoldfart8110 Před rokem

    Knuckles are the most beautiful rocker boxes of all Harley engines even though I'm a pan head fan.

  • @trepathy1
    @trepathy1 Před rokem

    Beautiful

  • @owensbama1923
    @owensbama1923 Před rokem

    An a plus awesome job.

  • @scottimusgarrett15
    @scottimusgarrett15 Před rokem +2

    Your knowledge and attention to detail is very appreciated! I think your museum would be one of the few reasons I would go to the States. What a great tutorial on the Knucklehead...Thanks! This is gonna be an amazing engine. ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

  • @backwoodscommonsense1578

    Since lapping valves with compound puts unnecessary premature wear on the valve face & seat, why aren’t you using non drying Prussian blue to check the face to seat seal then perform a vacuum test instead? Is the seat meeting the valve in the upper 1/3 of the valve face & with a width of .032”? Does making a back angling cut on the upper edge of the valve face help (like the 3 angling seat cut) to create more curvature so the air/fuel mixture remains a mist for more complete burning & less condensation? I ask as I’ve used this method on an evolution engine with some success.

  • @nh_highlander1985
    @nh_highlander1985 Před rokem

    Knucklehead is the motor...30's technology was supreme!

  • @jnault6441
    @jnault6441 Před rokem

    amazing!

  • @excessivefarce2808
    @excessivefarce2808 Před rokem

    awesome awesome awesome video

  • @laishlaish3824
    @laishlaish3824 Před rokem

    Sure miss working on the old flathead motors. Just 1 question; where did you get that "speed ratchet" to tighten it all down ? 😎

  • @timdavis8154
    @timdavis8154 Před rokem

    Love it.

  • @waynecreech
    @waynecreech Před rokem

    Thanks Matt, My dream bike is a knuck....

  • @MoeLarrycurly1
    @MoeLarrycurly1 Před rokem

    It sounds like the top end is like a Swiss watch 👍☺️☺️🏍️🖖

  • @d.l.b3452
    @d.l.b3452 Před rokem

    Incredible. 🇬🇧🥇🧐

  • @barrybarnes96
    @barrybarnes96 Před rokem

    You'd need this guy every 500 miles.

  • @maxdavies5776
    @maxdavies5776 Před rokem

    Could the blow out valve be used with a sump syringe to redo the vacume pressure on the oil system also matt.?

  • @lpd1snipe
    @lpd1snipe Před rokem

    My father, who rode knuckleheads said there was a lot of oiling problems with the 1936 to 39 models.

  • @robertclark4509
    @robertclark4509 Před rokem

    Hi Dale , quick question, I have a 2020 softail slim Harley. How easy would those knuckle fenders fit on my bike ? what old style would fit best ? Please advise...

  • @tomb.8485
    @tomb.8485 Před rokem +2

    I am assuming you have done so many of these that you can “feel” the right torque? I really enjoy videos like this and you are top notch with explaining the steps. Very interesting, thank you.

    • @av8rshane491
      @av8rshane491 Před rokem

      It’s the German torque spec….good un tight.

  • @hemigod2
    @hemigod2 Před 5 měsíci

    I’ve got a question for you, sir, there was no problem in bringing back Marshall tube amps. Why can’t the Harley knucklehead be put back into production?

  • @wrestlemaniac202
    @wrestlemaniac202 Před rokem

    Heard anything from Sean at SRK cycles on their WLDR?

  • @freebird7284
    @freebird7284 Před rokem

    i knew better than to watch this, i had to go buy the great ticket deal!

  • @ronaldslack9530
    @ronaldslack9530 Před rokem

    Cool (very)!

  • @chuckduzzie8529
    @chuckduzzie8529 Před rokem +1

    Some of the greatest inventors of our country … were bicycle mechanics. Harley & Davidson,
    The Wright Brothers, Henry Ford.

    • @redtobertshateshandles
      @redtobertshateshandles Před rokem

      Like me you probably worked on your bicycle when you were a kid. I can remember some exasperating moments. What I love about these early bikes is that they're motor cycles. Lightweight, not some 2 litre engined overweight monstrosity.

  • @Eisenhaltig
    @Eisenhaltig Před rokem

    On my engine, all four "rocker-cups" (called in the book "Valve Spring Covers") are having one tiny hole located close were they comes to the Knuckle-housing (aluminium rocker-arm housing). I am having the impression that these holes are for a purpose, but it makes no sense for me, because it is a point for an oil leak. Should I close them or keep them open? Thanks and best regards from a Guy in Germany, who is trying to cure his knuckle from spreading oil.

    • @wheelsthroughtime
      @wheelsthroughtime  Před 5 měsíci

      I believe only the intakes have the holes, which are vent holes, and should be on the “high side” of the cup. If it’s on the low side, it will leak.

  • @silentknight101
    @silentknight101 Před rokem

    Someday I'm gonna own a Knucklehead... Someday...

  • @user-cr5xn3uh5l
    @user-cr5xn3uh5l Před 10 měsíci

    How do I get raffle tickets?

  • @adamr4115
    @adamr4115 Před rokem

    Wonder if he's upgraded the crank from a roller to a timken bearing ..

  • @ShainAndrews
    @ShainAndrews Před rokem

    Inovative... perhaps. Genius and Harley-Davidson never belong in the same sentence.

  • @redtobertshateshandles

    I guess aero engines were the one's that had the big R&D money spent on them in the '30's. Bill probably looked there for inspiration.

  • @acr21957
    @acr21957 Před rokem

    I have a harder time doing a jigsaw puzzle than he does on what must be amazingly difficult assembly

  • @randymanx2674
    @randymanx2674 Před rokem

    FIPPYPIG (FIPG) is the shit!

  • @normls8615
    @normls8615 Před rokem

    Shame we can't win this bike in Australia. Win the jetski scooter from Bikes and Beards when they finally get their Harley together for your drag race. Or see if you can get their WW2 mini Indian.

  • @dannydiekman9833
    @dannydiekman9833 Před rokem

    Would you rebuild my 48 Indian

  • @ernestmathews4674
    @ernestmathews4674 Před rokem

    A question from ignorance: cases are aluminum, barrels are cast iron, What is the cylinder head?

  • @franklinpatterson3693

    👍

  • @wheelsthroughtime
    @wheelsthroughtime  Před rokem

    Get your tickets to win this 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead here >> wheelsthroughtime.com/win-this-bike/ Thanks for watching along!

  • @jimstretch6109
    @jimstretch6109 Před rokem

    In 1965 anybody could find and buy a complete, original knucklehead for less than $500. The collectors have jacked up the prices so high that the average guy has no chance of ever owning one of these.