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Buying a Harley Knucklehead: What to Look For
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- čas přidán 15. 08. 2024
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Fix My Hog is excited to be working with Kevin Baas, who has a deep knowledge and an enormous amount of experience with Harley Knucklehead motorcycles. Stop by Fix My Hog to see the full multi-hour 13 part Knucklehead series. www.fixmyhog.c...
In this video, Kevin discusses what to look for and what questions to ask when looking to purchase a vintage Harley Knucklehead motorcycle. This is the first in a series of videos where Kevin walks us through the inspection and repair of a Harley Knucklehead bike. This motorcycle is actually a Knucklehead engine inside of a Harley Panhead frame.
ENGINE & FRAME
Kevin explains how to decode the engine’s VIN number which is the only manufacturer’s number that exists on a Harley of this age. There are no VIN numbers that can be found on the frame or transmission. The 1st two numbers in the vin represent the year. This lists this motor as manufactured in the year 1947. This would be the last year of production for the Harley Knucklehead engine.
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Visually, Kevin can determine that the motorcycle’s frame is a later, Panhead frame. The stock Harley Knucklehead frame would be a “straight leg” style frame. The frame for this motorcycle is “wishbone” style. Both the Knucklehead engine and the Panhead frame have considerable value. Assembled with the correct corresponding (year) counterparts parts, they can become even more valuable.
It is important to inspect frame damage or frame modifications. Inspect motor mounts for damage or possible cracking. Visually inspect the motor for any major signs of damage or leaks. Make sure there are no broken fins on the heads or cylinders. If you detect a leak, try to assess if it is from simple gasket failure or originating from a cracked case.
WHEELS & BRAKES
Inspect the front and rear wheels, hubs and spokes.
Inspect the drum brake assemblies for missing, broken or damaged hardware.
FRONT END
Springer front end assemblies are excellent when regularly serviced and maintained. Visually inspect for anything that may look incomplete, bent, or altered. Springer front ends also have a lot of value. If only looking to purchase a Springer front end, you will have to shell out a pretty penny.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The original Harley Knucklehead electrical system for this motorcycle would have been a 6 volt system with a magneto and with no battery. This motorcycle has been updated to a 12 volt system but still utilizes the magneto along with a generator. If the motorcycle had a battery, it would also be important to inspect the charging system.
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TRANSMISSION & DRIVE & GEAR SELECTOR
Inspect the transmission for any visible signs of damage or excessive leaking. Cycle the kicker arm to verify that there is no binding. Make sure you can easily shift through all (in this case) four gears and that you can easily find neutral. Inspect for proper clutch function and feel. The Harley Knucklehead in this video was originally equipped with a rocker (foot) clutch lever with a jockey shift arm. It has been updated to a more modern hand clutch with a foot shift assembly.
FUEL SYSTEM
Inspect the fuel system from the fuel tank to the intake. Inspect and identify everything in between. What is being used for a carburetor or for a petcock? Determine if the fuel tanks are stock, aftermarket, or from a different model year Harley-Davidson.
OIL TANK/OIL SYSTEM
Inspect to see if the oil tank is original or aftermarket. Inspect for any possible damage.
HANDLEBARS & CONTROLS
Handlebars are often changed and no longer original. They are easily replaced. However, it is important to determine if handlebar controls have been altered or updated. The stock throttle assembly for a 1947 Harley Knucklehead would have a push/pull, hard cable assembly. It might also have an ignition timing control on the left side.
Look for these components or identify the absence of the two. The motorcycle in this video has an updated throttle control. It works fine but decreases the valve of this vintage motorcycle.
Kevin stresses the importance of utilizing reference materials. Service manuals, parts manuals and other publications are easily accessible. It is always possible to figure out the correct parts or repair procedures for a vintage, American Harley-Davidson.
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I’m buying a knuckle for all the safety features😂
Thank you for showing us some of the things to look for especially beginners. You're very helpful. In the early 70s I built a 45 a panhead & a shovelhead and in the 80s I build a 1936 knucklehead with my wife and one of my sons in the living room It was an enjoyable experience building these bikes.
So glad we could be of help!
Just found your videos, and just layed my uncle to rest and he left me ironhead motor and transmission I would love to build.
I love old bikes they have a soul and come alive when you ride one. I grew up with Panheads and Sportsters and have worked on them from a kid.
My Dad was in a MC and a Bike Mechanic we have worked on 1916 to 2000 hogs
Old motorcycles take a lot of Maintenance but never die they
I got my first Harley in 1982 a 1967 XLH Sportster 3 years later I got a 1956 FLH Pan head Dad had a 1922 JD Was sidecar
I would say you forgot to mention one thing to check out when looking at an old bike to buy. The motor mounts on the crankcase clean them and make sure they're are no cracks. The front left have been known to crack if not shin right on pans.
They made a butt load of 47's, I've got one in the basket so parts aren't that hard to find ( just need a butt load of money) thanks for taking the time to educate the rookies. Old H-D'S are works of art.
solid gold advice and guidance, thank you!
straight up presentation. First Hombre I will seek out once I find my 1958 with sidecar.. Thanks
Great video, I have just purchased a 46 EL and was able to download a workshop manual for it as the real things seem to be rarer than the bikes themselves.
I friggin love mags. Break out the buzz box and time em right up.
Great informative video,I learnt a lot from it 🤙
That was an outstanding video! So much info in a short time! Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge! You have some sweet looking bikes in the shop!
Might be a bit of bitsa and a touch bodged but it’s filthy and I like it.
Good vid chap. Informative
Great advice you have some nice rides
this is a great video, very comprehensive
I learned a lot , thanks so much
Glad to have helped!
Amazing
Great advice nice rides
Great video. Could you please do a buyers guide for shovel head?
Great information
Glad it was helpful!
Those down tubes look like 1'' diameter and the sidecar loops are brazed on the front .....looks like a 1936 frame to me ???
Just picked up a 65 fl basket. Hasn't been cranked in 40 years.
Great video!
Thanks for the visit
Great job. very informative and I learned a lot. Thanks!
Thanks
Big key to buying these is seeing if belly numbers match.
In regards to safety, men 50 years ago are not the same type of men today, I bet the owner of that bike ride it more in one week than your average Harley rider does in one year, ha, no safety issues just todays mentality of things… lol we get a cough and wear a mask in our day, and make it mandatory.
That’s a very cool primary cover!
Thanks!
Very well presented and I watched the more recent tear down video part 1. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on a few questions.
- was the frame of the bike in question raked to give a more chopper look?
- do those example bikes at the end all have pedal clutch and suicide shift?
- is there any way to tell a bike that was actuallly in WWII and then later modified?
- if you fabricate a bike all from after market vintage parts how do you get a vin and register it?
Thank you.
Thank you. All great questions and many answered in the multi hour project videos, check them out: www.fixmyhog.com/videos/knucklehead-build/
there's a 47 knuck all original sitting in a guys garage nearby where i live. i saw him ride it about 20 yrs ago but it sits. i gotta knock on his door one of these days but i don't know what to offer him. it's clunky but not rusty.
Give him your number and ask for him to call you when he wants to sell. Prices change, so you'll need to do research when that time comes. Good Luck
Also watch our multi hour series on them: www.fixmyhog.com/videos/knucklehead-build/
@@FixMyHogfreechannel gotcha.
If you don’t know him, DO NOT ASK HIM TO SELL HIS BIKE TO YOU. That type of conversation just offends some people. Ask him about his bike. Tell him you’re wanting to get one and since he has one, he should be a wealth of knowledge about them. Genuinely try to befriend him and maybe he will want to sell his bike to you eventually. There are lots of other secrets to these transactions but that’s the best way to start.
@@johnh2349 ok, i don't know him but a friend of mine does. i 'm looking for an old bike to fix up a little and just ride around and probably can't afford a real antique. i imagine they get at least $15k for one in that condition. i'm looking at a 79 flh with low miles for about $5k that's almost ready to ride, needs a carb and rubber and i can do that. thnx for the info.
The ratchet lever is reversed, so the shift pattern is also. I'd like a closer look at the Knuck in the foreground.
Great question! We have a lot of technical answers on our website. www.fixmyhog.com/harley-tips-a-z-index and ‘Ask an Expert’ section for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership. Thanks!
So I have a bike I'm a little suspicious about. Had Carolina paperwork through cop inspection. It's called an easy state. Supposed to be a Paco frame and springer from the early 70s. Lowered and stretched. 9 foot wheelbase. 57XLA2500. Can't find that number in a couple Harley registers. Whatcha think?
More in VIN: www.fixmyhog.com/video/harley-vin-011411/
@@FixMyHogfreechannel Thanks anyway. Wasn't looking to subscribe to anything other than what I want to. It's all good. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Or just put gas in it and go ride .