1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Jay Leno's Garage
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- čas přidán 2. 05. 2015
- Original and unrestored! All this Knucklehead needed was a little TLC, a little gas and two kicks - and she started right up for the first time since 1952!
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1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1936 Harley-Davidson K...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage - Auta a dopravní prostředky
gotta hand it to Jay, he knows his stuff and isn't afraid to ride/ drive his toys. kudos for standing out in a Sea of rich poser's/ collectors
Murray Kennedy for real
It's easy when you have almost endless cash.
when i was 20..now 54..a man befriended me..a true self reliant west Texan..being 20 i knew everything..he had a surplus WLA he rode pretty much everywhere on those bumpy dusty lonely Texas FM back roads..matter of fact he had been doing so with the same bike well before i was born in 1964..one day i asked him why he didn't get a better bike? it seemed he was always doing something to it..(later in life i realized not only was he just doing routine maintenance ..he enjoyed the simple bond of man and machine) well he looked up at me while wiping the bike down and said : "what for?..this is a air cooled job with balloon tires perfectly suited for around here" then i said with all my long years of experience.. but its so slow..lol..ill never forget..he looked down at the baked Caliche..shook his head ..then looked up through squinted eyes and said : "when this bike was built a 100 mph was plenty fast for the roads back then which were mostly dirt and for around here half that speed is pretty fast with the wash board and silt holes..now its been almost 35 years since ive seen my beloved friend and now im older i realize he gave me so many pearls of wisdom..i hope hes well and i like to think hes still putting around on that ole harley..
should have more motorcycles on the channel
xMcSwaggx
As long as they're older ones, I'm in agreement.
just like how he has older cars and new cars, should be the same with bikes
No, it shouldn't. Therefore I'm not in agreement.
20alphabet Agreed. I would like to see a pre WW2 Husqvarna
Casey Jones
You know, when Jay began the video stating that his favorites were original and unrestored, my mind went directly to vintage vehicles. There's a history lesson as well as a look at engineering and design prior to electronic band-aids and the EPA. My first girlfriend's dad raced Husqvarnas in the Mojave 500, so I have a warm spot in my heart for Huskys.
Old bikes like this have a certain soul that can't really be described with words. It's about sound, feel, smell, and the fact that they are windows into the past. Great installment. I never miss a bike episode.
Me either fan for life. Ole jay is the man!
My dad still has his knucklehead he got when he was 17. It is why I keep telling dad that riding a motorcycle at his age is way too dangerous, it's better to stop and donate the bike to me.
Peter Timowreef so loving of you
Can you please uploads videos of it???
Better to die riding than dying being spoon fed in an old folks home.
such a thoughtful son !
Patience boy wait your turn!
I lived in Long Beach, CA from '83 to '86 and rode bikes the whole time. I met a guy once who ran into Jay at the Rock Store and several of them went riding. They ended up somewhere near Burbank. Jay said something like, "Hey, you guys want to see my garage?" Granted, that was 30 years ago, but still, can you imagine walking into that place? Motorhead paradise.
A bike with a soul will always comes alive when resuscitated
Knuckleheads are every old school Harley riders dream bike, when I started looking for an old Harley in 1979, knuckles were already expensive, and they've only gone up, I've seen bikes like Jays for sale from 80, to well over 100 grand.
Original and unrestored Knucklehead? Whoa. Absolutely beautiful bike, Jay.
JLG is a fantastic show,and thumbs up to Jay for doing a great job of showing us vehicles like this,and providing the history and technical information on them.It’s great to see the old cars and motorcycles going down the road and Jay explaining what they’re all about.Thank you Jay!👍
Heart and soul , Harley Davidson is a great motorcycle, darn near bullet proof, stone reliable and will hopefully be around for hundreds of years. I have a 2008 Heritage Softail which I ride hard and often. I have never had a problem with her and it is like no other MC I have ever owned which is four prior bikes: BSA, Suzuki, and a Honda . Are prior bikes were great bikes but the HD is truly fulfilling .
Harley Davidson's, they continue to amaze me with the reliability and overall stabilities it has over decades. I got my dads 1992 Sportster, just a month ago, I did the same TLC and replaced the starter motor, it fired right up after three seconds holding the start switch after sitting since 1996 it has straight pipe, so it fired up loud and proud! It's a cruisers dream!
Phenomental1ty Is it an 883 or a 1200? Or was it bored out from 883 to 1200? They make them in both engine sizes.
i.imgur.com/us6JeBL.jpg 1200 motor
Nothing but pure cool.....a piece of American motorcycle history
One of the all-time greats for sure. Thanks for giving us a look Jay!
I just looked in my garage to see if I forgot a Knucklehead laying around somewhere. Nope. Hmmmm I could of sworn I had one......
B. Graves I found one in the mirror.
About 1
5 years ago I met a fellow down in Sturgis S.D. He had ridden his knucklehead from Seattle, pulling a trailer. These old beasts were WAY ahead of their time. I was riding a 1955 Royal Enfield made in India in 1995 (yep, identical and unchanged since they started building them). Some of those good old ideas are still with us and its both important and cool to honour the legacy and the innovation. Thanks Jay.
Well, call me an idiot if you want to, but when i hear storys like this...such a nice old girl sitting in a corner...beeing so thankful to get pulled out that she starts right away...it´s hard for me not to cry...i now this might be too much, but i have very few old bikes too which i restored myself and everytime they start up the first time after i put them together...well...very emotional moment for me. Glad for you Jay, i can see her and you smiling :)
AnTrAxX Slingshots right on my friend, a great big hug for you
You’re not the only one my friend
Hear hear!
You know Jay, I used to think you were an over-rated big-mouth because you seemed to keep talking to yourself and under your breath. But I have come to realize that every sentence you so seemingly casually toss off is loaded with information. I respect you sir. You are a man of history, in all senses of the term, and as a lover of history myself, I find I have learnt a lot from this great show, which means from you. Thank you. I wish you all the very best.
+tryarunm ..Yeah, just like the 'To-Night' show on TV...every word is carefully thought out..!
tryarunm he loves his country, and he loves life, much respect
unlike your comment @@dougankrum3328
Leno working that tank shift like a Boss while talking away in LA traffic. That was cool,,,,,way cool.
Mr. Leno: There are no words. Thank you for sharing. My '36 Knuckle story dates back to 1978. Me, my wife and our 2 boys traveled up Pikes Peak on vacation. At the top were several old guys on their circa '30's & 40's Harley's. I fell in love with a specific '36 Knucklehead, the most beautiful engine Harley has ever built in my opinion. All of those guy's had ridden from Los Angeles and Pikes Peak was their destination. Thanks to you sir, I just relived a fond memory watching this video. You just made an old man very happy. My current and last Harley: 2006 Dyna Wide Glide, aka: "Last Chance". She'll go to my grandson when I'm gone. Thanks again.
I really appreciate what Jay's doing with this series. It's fabulous that he's sharing his love of cars and motorcycles with the world. I really enjoy learning about the variety of machines he's pulled together. And it's a pleasure to become acquainted with vintage machines like this Harley. Ride on Jay, and thanks!!
Good ol' American engineering. Really cool to hear that machine came back to life so effortlessly. The points were still good after all those years... Nice.
American legend : Simply ingeniering pratic, solid, super finitions and think for many many many... years !
I wish i could attend a univercity class about the history of automobiles taught by Jay Leno...i guarantee i would never skip a class.
I wish you made a half an hour video of this bike. This is my favorite episode.
That thing really is a piece of American motorcycling history. Never even heard of a knucklehead single! Very cool. They don't make 'em like they used to, that's for sure, but an HD is still a very good bike.
See this just goes to show that new isn't always better. Sometimes it's good to revisit old tech. You can always learn something new. These old bikes and cars deserve to be shown. They deserve to be on the road from time to time doing what they were meant to do. Or even show them off to people who didn't even know they existed. Thank you again Jay for the work you do and the videos you post.
Jay, Sir, Leno, I feel like I could talk to you like an old friend. I'm 56 years old and you are one cool dude.
I'd never think that I would ever like any other motorcycle than the '79 Honda CBX, but when seeing those videos about the Brough Superior SS100, HRD Vincent Series A Rapide, The 4-cylinder Henderson, or '36 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, I mean, these bikes really have something special about them. Modern bikes look all the same time, like cell phones or tablets. Maybe they are good, but they lack personality. Those classic bikes, they have so much character.
Agree....I've had my bike for 28 years....no cig lighter, no stereo....I wouldn't trade her for anything new or old for that matter
I've spend a lot of time on the side of the road fixing vintage bikes while contemplating "personality." I still love my vintage bike, but my modern bikes are the workhorses. There's a lot to be said for getting where you want to go every time.
By all means. Sell your "vintage" bikes then. I'd also suggest you sell your "new" bikes, and buy an SUV.
Millbarge01 Oh, looks I stepped into a pile... I'll suggest one further then. Sell your SUV, too, and buy the latest iPhone. You won't even have to ride or drive anywhere. That will be the best utility in the world for you.
Andrew Piatek Okay, old man. Keep stroking yourself thinking about your '79 CBX. It's laughable that you included it with those real classics like it's an Indian Four. You might want to try something that came out since Reagan was in office. They have things like fuel injection and hydraulic valves now. Now get to Bob Evans for dinner so you can be in bed by 9:00.
BTW, having a modern cell phones isn't a bad thing, dummy. Saying things like that just makes you seem addled and confused by the modern world. You're like Brooks in Shawshank.
Have a good day, old timer.
Captain America called, he wants his bike back ;-)
Cap actually rode an Indian.
wasnt that a Pan, Easy Rider???
Jay is such cool humble guy.
He would never be the type to brag about his money or lifestyle.
But here he is stating he had a perfect 1931 knucklehead laying in the corner " He just forgot about it".
Thank's Jay.
I've had a 99 sporty for 6 years and recently realized its simplicity is a strength not a weakness.
It's interesting how back in the day they'd decorate a Harley Davidson seat with little flowers. Kind of makes you laugh because of how tough the old guys that were probably riding them.
I really enjoy the motorcycles. Your knowledge and experience with all the different bikes is remarkable. Keep riding. Very cool knucklehead. My dad loved the Haley s from that era. Makes me want one too.
I have my dad's 48 FL with a sidecar. He bought it new.
Your Dad obviously loved you. He gave one of the things in his life that he was proudest of, to you.
Be so sweet to have an old classic bike like this
Jay Leno looks like the a motorcycle man supposed to look like -a real bike man -love Jay leno he's a blessing to the world vintage transportation history .
another good monday morning in the UK.thanks Jay.
now to get Jay to put a GoPro or other action camera on the front of his helmet and a mic and get him to start motovlogging on all his different bikes
You da man jay ! Thanks for not ruining it by restoring , Looks like custom ordered paint possibly . Amazing bike !
That’s why the Heritage Springer, Softail Deluxe and the Road King are my favorite HDs...They evoke the spirit of the knuckle....
So you mean you like GeezerGlides?
That's an 80 yr old machine. To put it in perspective, eighty years before this bike was manufactured was 1856 and that was before the Civil War, The thing is ancient and not just a whole lot different from current air cooled V twin Harleys The original engine design was good enough that it could be kept and just refined over the years yet perform as well as many more modern designs.l
Um, it's pretty much exactly the same as current air cooled V twin Harleys. Same angle, same crankshaft, same pushrods.
Lmao @Zk, I came here looking for this comment. Thanks for not letting me down.
Flat head,Knuckle head,Panhead and early shovels and Sportsters. I really like those old Harley's I bought a 76 Electra Glide and gee I wish I would have held on to it.
czcams.com/video/bds0HJsySnU/video.html
Love the authenticity of Jay, you can feel his passion and relate to it! I love these old bikes!
Well, not much to say really, Jay says it all and its delivered with passion and knowledge. Just brilliant. Jay thank you so much from all that love what you do. John
I respect anything with 2 wheels, I love the diversity.
That is an awesome bike Jay , I don't have anything that old but I do ride a 1989 FLHTCU.
Great Video! When I was a kid (about 50+ years ago) There was a man who had one of these for sale in my hometown. He wanted $150 dollars for it. My older brother wanted to buy it but he only had $100 (he had earned from mowing lawns). He asked our dad for the remaining $50 but he refused (sigh). I have always loved older Harleys. Thanks for all your videos, Jay...I love 'em!
Love You Jay. So knowledgeable and knows how to ride. His confidence shows
wow.... now when someone asks me..... what is your favorite motorcycle? I will procede to tell them about Jay Leno 's 19and36 HD Knucklehead and everything I can remember about this video. ....jay...your garage shows are by far your best works. ...thank you...Corey M
W0W! What a story Jay. Just yours alone on the bike is awesome. Not, counting the stories from the years before you got it (if it could only talk) huh? I know there a Lot of bikers out there that has seen this video now and are just drooling over this machine...ha-ha. Another Great video on the 0lden years Iron, Thanks!
This bike allows you see and understand the heritage of current Harley’s.
That's a nice old original Harley there, Jay. Those Knuckleheads are fine engines, as I'm sure you know. I love the fact that it hasn't been molested! SWEET brother!
My mother was a 1921 Knucklehead.
My mother gave birth to a knuckle head :P
you own one of those now and your still king of the bikers
What a gem!
I had a 1933 Harley Flathead I sold during my first divorce Along with my 48 Indian Chief. Both mine were restored they were too far gone just to tweet a bite and ride. I'm restoring a 1946 Indian Chief now (10-16-22) I've had Flatheads Pans and Shovelheads but never a Knuckle. People just want too much for even a basket case specially on a cop's pay. Thanks for the video your old bite videos are my favorite..
Beautiful bike
Thank god for Jay Leno's garage, Saabkyle, and 2Theredline.
Harley Davidson , nothing like them and still one of the best looking bikes .
Even if I did have Jay Leno's collection I still couldn't let an all original Knucklehead sit in a corner for even a week, let alone 30 years. I don't think I'd sleep until I rode it!
For Jay's audio - try Gopro w/ Sena GP10 backpack and Sena 20S - will allow for ample ambient audio plus a much cleaner 'in helmet' setup. Also, it is purely wireless and can intercom with multiple riders for future projects where Jay and another rider want to record their intercom communication - badass show! Viva Harley!
He cannot afford that lol
Jon Doe He has like a 12 vintage Buggattis, the man can afford anything.
He like vintage
XXXDeadhead deadhead!
+fshop fshop 0 Brysselissä
Jay any chance of a further update on your current projects?
***** Doh, roger that, cheers!
He's having so much fun he don't want 2 get off.I just bought a 2019 slim i love it.
I just love your car videos, But the motorcycle videos are just the best. Hopefully these will still be there for people to watch a hundred years or more in the future. If it was not for you doing such wonderful things like this, No one would have anywhere to learn about all these wonderful motorcycles. Its a wonderful thing you do.
Dave
It takes 2 kicks just to get me off the couch ! :)
Stoner?
With kids it takes me 2 kicks and a hit of nitrous
And then they got big, rested on their laurels, fought to keep competition at bay and made a joke out of themselves.
Harley Davidson execs needs to have a long think with this bike on top of them in a small room.
s0nnyburnett They build great t-shirts, tho.
Paul Rigsby. And jackets.
and splendid leather chaps.
Unfortunately the Tshirts, jackets and chaps are probably made in a third world world sweatshop.
And... God help us.... coffee.
What happens when you stop being a motorcycle company, and become just a "brand".
Speaking of things that sat since 1952 - I have an Aeronca L3B airplane that I am working on; when I tore down the engine, it became clear to me that I could have just put oil in it and fired it up! It was that well preserved, although no effort had been made to do so; it simply sat in a dry shed for over 60 years. I wonder if 60y years from now there will even be any "classic" vehicles of any kind. Nothing is built to last and nothing I see out there has any kind of inherent qualities of aesthetics of interesting engineering that makes it stand out.
Love your channel, Mr Leno - you are man who knows how to spend his money.
Knuckles are the most beautiful v twin ever made. That chrome and beautiful rockers🥰
I've wanted a knuck forever! Could have bought one 12 years ago for $15000. Man I wish I would have!
I have a 1943 FL. If you would be interested call 7246743928. Larry.
Please send me photos emnauelpfister ad hotmail dot com
YEAP !
My friend is restoring a knuckle head and is going to put it on for sale
The Disgruntled Mechanic 😟 us israelis have only susita
That is what a M/C is supposed to look like. Its why the HD styles never strays away from that style.
Jay Leno is the real deal. Jay talks the talk, walks the walk and best of all 'Rides the rides'.
So much machine appeal. My heart got movin just watching that. Thanks
They only had one add because they were out of money. The add came from one of the davidsong s wife, who was a newspaper reporter, so it was free.
Jay, check the left axle adjuster (my guess is it has slipped forward about 1/4"), looks like she is dog-tracking to the right a bit.
Jay I love seeing these videos on Mondays, gets me ready for my week full of work, saving up for another classic car to enjoy what automotive should be viewed as classics not just means of transportation. Keep it up !
I never get tired of Jay Leno's Garage.
Jay, this bike is absolutely great.... great story.....great heritage...but that said..I had a bit of a laugh with your helmet..I mean, in combination with this bike...:):)
harley and the davidsons brought me here
me too
same here :)
great. :D
Yep, the sons of anarchy also
Imports and Atvs Me too
That's pretty amazing Jay was able to start that motorcycle up after sitting around since 1952. Along with the flathead, the knucklehead was used by the allies during WWII.
Still trying to dig up info on 36 ELA knuckleheads, my grandpa had an officer's harley in the pacific theater that he painted and ran on aviation gas, took pictures but they're buried at my parents' place
Damn! Jay's not scared to roll that ancient bike. Balls!
You guys complaining about Jays helmet should go work in a ladies dress shop where you can do the whole matching purse and shoes thing.
SteveSeiwald HAHAHAHAHAHA
It was probably the only one he had at the shop at the time. It's certainly better than no helmet. Wayyyyyy to many people on their cell phones these days not to wear a helmet.
Whaddup JLG?!
Is it fair to say "They don't build em like they used to". I myself ride a Yamaha FZ-09 Knucklehead... but thats only bc of who's operating the vehicle, lol.
Squeeze it Easy!
-Drizz
I am the proud owner of a 2002 harley softail standard. My bikes name is Ruthie. I wentout in my garage and told Ruthie I saw her great grandmother In Jays video. I loved watching this. There is no new harley today that looks better or sounds better than that 1936. Imagine a person riding around on that in town in 1936, they would have been having fun and freedom no one else had
Truly love these videos you make Jay. Always enjoy sittin back and hearing you describe each nuance. I'm 34 and grew up in Torrance till I was 10. Hopefully one day I'll make it back to California and maybe just maybe get to be able to shake your hand.
Jay your helmet is crime against the classic motorcycle rights according to the geneva convention from 1936
An old friend of mine is a dental technician, he makes false teeth, etc. When he was at university he worked on "lower mandible reconstructions" for bikers who face-planted in open-faced helmets. He warned me to stick to full-face lids at all costs and I always have. In fact I wear the same brand of lid as Jay. Sometimes a modicum of safety trumps appearances.
Super cool bike. Please take the windscreen off.
NoClassic It's the old windscreen that he got with the bike.
NoClassic Leave it on.It is part of the bikes history.
maybe you are right. it just looks a bit strange for something of that age
Yeah it looks so wrong. I wish he'd take it off but hey, if he likes it that way then that's the way it should be.
I was thinking the same thing great laker. If the bike had not been run in 50 years it has to be before 60 or so.
My dad had a '36 and '47. He loved those bikes. So many stories of hill climbs and mud runs and racing around Tacoma in the 40's.
Love to tell you more some day Jay.
In 1998, I had an accident while on a 1984 Sportster. Hit a raccoon and became a quad. People think I'm nuts when I say I'd love to ride again but I'd love to feel my face in the wind. I do enjoy watching your motorcycles videos. Keep 'em coming!
Great bike, but looks like the frame is bent or rear wheel is misaligned.
James Parus I noticed that too
What has been seen, cannot be unseen.
I miss seeing this guy on tv.
Look at all the fun you missed out on J Jay Leno 👆 very nice
Harley was a leader in technology and had great designs. Genius!
Curious as to what that mint-green metallic car is that is sitting aside the Chrysler while Jay's giving the overview.
irritablearchitect +Dutub2000 As mentioned in another comment, it looks like a Panhard 24.
irritablearchitect I was curious too so searched for pictures of French cars. I have to agree with Justin Cunningham and say it's a Panhard 24
Wikipedia has this good pic of one
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_24#/media/File:Panhard-Levassor_24CT_(1964)_pic1.JPG
irritablearchitect I was thinking the same thing
Jay, you need to invest in a more retro helmet, it just doesn't look right wiht a modern crash helmet and that classic bike, perhaps a retro chrome German helmet? :D
Carl Draper Maybe Jay could get a "helmet" like that guy has in the Harley ad.
The wardrobe is campy pandering bordering on schtick.
Carl Draper He can't, because Arai pays him too much to make videos about their product ;)
that's cute. all of 8 seconds of Jay and the knucklehead on the freeway...(holding up traffic..) my FXR's great grandpappa!
Great motorcycle, great episode.
Love the respectful way you present vehicles.
I'm not keen on new HD's it's the old ones I wouldn't mind to have.
Even people that are not fond of Harleys get excited and usually over the old ones.
Love the new ones and the old.
Get rid of the wind shield and it's ready to go!
Great bike and great story, Jay--thanks for posting!
If Jay did this instead of his show, it would have been greater than his show on NBC.