Suicide Knucklehead
So you think you are a hardcore biker, this is what a hardcore biker looked like back in the late 40′s. This is yet another pic of Restoman’s dad on his Knucklehead. I don’t have a clue what they called this back in the day, but today I would call this a Knucklehead bobber. If you look just above the tank emblem in chrome letters it says “suicide”, that was Resto’s old mans nickname. This picture was taken in the wintertime, somewhere around Chicago in the late 40′s.
Hmmmm…Back in the day they would have called it what they would call it now. “Just Bad-Ass”. I have been staring at this pict for about 15 minutes. That is a frickin’ nice bike. I was looking at the front wheel. Now I have never seen this on a 40′s bike. I can’t imagine how much that would have cost back then. Something is weird though and I can’t put my finger on it. I think it might be that I keep seeing Ben Stiller! Whoa!
Great picture!
Comment by FLHX_Dave — October 26, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
Dave, It could be that you haven’t put your finger on the fact that he’s running neither front or rear fenders! How weird is that?
I’ve heard from other old time riders that chrome was cheap, back then. This looks like more proof of that. Almost the entire front end is chromed, along with the toolbox, crash bars, footboards and pedals, and check out that dual exhaust system! The rear cylinder’s pipe wraps around the back of the chrome oil tank.
Comment by Sarge — October 27, 2009 @ 3:10 am
The front wheel is something I’ve never seen from the period. Chromed out it is. Looks like the frame too. They called them choped back then. Bobber is a 90′s thing. Great picture.
Comment by Webster World — October 27, 2009 @ 7:03 am
Dave, I am pretty sure that is a “tin” cover on the front wheel. I have seen them before and it would be a period accessory. You are right about the Ben Stiller look, but I am guessing this guy is about a foot taller than Ben.
Comment by St. Lee — October 27, 2009 @ 11:01 am
Dear Electra Glide In Blue:
The picture of this rider is the spitting image of my soul.
Fondest regards,
Jack • Reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Comment by Jack Riepe — October 28, 2009 @ 7:50 am
Dave,
Yep, Bad-Ass, I bet this bike and Resto’s old man ruled the streets of Chicago back in the 40′s.
Comment by Electra Glide In Blue — October 31, 2009 @ 8:29 am
Sarge,
Thanks for dropping by, you have such a good eye to pick up that dual exhaust route, I completely missed that one.
Comment by Electra Glide In Blue — October 31, 2009 @ 8:36 am
St. Lee,
I agree with you on the “tin” cover on the front wheel, you can see the cut-out for the valve stem. It also looks like he is running a car tire on the front.
Comment by Electra Glide In Blue — October 31, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Jack,
For a BMW rider you got a lot of soul, as always thanks for dropping in my friend.
Comment by Electra Glide In Blue — October 31, 2009 @ 8:50 am
[...] bike took second in the Vintage Class. This is a beautiful 48 Pan ground-up bobber build by Jack. He probably would’ve beaten me out if he would have thrown this bike in the Custom [...]
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