Electra Glide In Blue

The Harley Knucklehead first came out of the production line in 1937. Prototype models dated from 1935 through 36.
If you’re not that familiar with the Harley Davidson Knucklehead engine (the Knucklehead derived its nickname from the fact that the rocker boxes resemble two knuckles on the back of a hand closed into a fist), it is a V-Twin engine which the H-D factory named “61 OHV” and in 1937 gave model designations of EL (special sport solo), E (solo, medium compression) and ES (medium compression, sidecar gearing).

These model designations ran through production until 1941 and the introduction of the 74 OHV and the added models, FL (special sport solo) and F (solo, medium compression),and starting in 1945 the FS (medium compression, sidecar gearing).

The H-D factory continued the production of the 61 and 74 OHV with these six model designations right through to include the Panhead engine. The last year for the 61 OHV engine was 1952.

Here is a unique look at some of the internal workings of the Knucklehead engine.

The images below are shown on this site with permission and are covered by:
Copyrights ©Amir Glinik-All rights reserved. G.T.C (1993)"Industrial &Art"3dfiles.co.il-2010

The Linkert M carburetor used on all Harley-Davidson OHV models from 1936-1965. Shown here with the correct carburetor bracket, factory part#1110-36.

A very special thanks to my friend in cyberspace, Amir Glinik for allowing me the use of his work.

Last year I did a post about picking up a Sportster project off of Craigslist. The package deal I scored was great. A 1998 1200c engine with title, a 1967 Sportster frame, and a 1973 set of motor cases with the top-end and title along with about a half a truck load of misc Sporty parts. I hauled it all home for $650 with all kinds of possibilities swimming around in my head.

After reviewing my options, I sold off the 67 frame and cases to get back my initial investment. I then went on a search for a sportster frame, for the 1200c engine.

Trying to stay on a low budget (plus I’m cheap) I found a deal on eBay for a custom built frame from an up and coming custom bike builder out of Indiana. It was a sweet deal for a custom built frame at a cost of only $550.00. Paughco frames go for around $800 bucks and as my dad always said “son you get what you pay for”. But I thought I’d give this kid a chance. He had a nice website showing the frames he’d built and some testimonials. He even had some biker magazine review articles and pictures from V-Twin, Hot Bike, Cruising Rider documenting his work.

I did my purchase through his eBay listing using PayPal and putting the charge on my credit card. The order was to take four to six weeks to complete. After contacting him when the payment went through he said he’d be getting back to me when he was getting my frame ready for the frame jig.

I waited five weeks, after not hearing from him I made contact, he responded, telling me there were a couple of frames ahead of mine and it would be another two weeks to get mine on the jig.

A red flag popped up and I thought it was time to check up on this lad. Going back to eBay, his feedback was starting to look ugly. Searching around using his name, popped-up some posts on a couple of motorcycle forums that were just starting to look ugly.

I contacted him again after the two weeks flew by (now seven weeks in to the deal). He came off with some excuse that I wasn’t buy’n. I mentioned the forum crap and bad eBay feedback, he had just falling behind and was playing ketch-up, he tells me. I’m just an easy going guy so I cut him some slack, he said he’d be getting to my frame next.

Next never comes and the posts on the forums get real ugly. His eBay account gets shut down, and I loose all contact with him. Six months have passed I have no frame and I’m out $550 bucks of hard earned money so I’m thinking I’m screwed.

Now I don’t get screwed to often by strangers and prefer to be on top. So I contact my credit card company and file a billing dispute. I had all the emails, and phone calls logged with all the information. This was the key to getting the full amount credited back to my CC account. On November 30th, seven and a half months after I had made the frame purchase I was issued the refund.

When doing the late back-ground search on this low-life lad, named Jeromy Hagemier, I found a couple of other guys getting screwed by him. One guy had over $1,100 dollars invested, he paid by check, as far as I know he’s out the $1100. Another guy was out about $800 bucks.

So after getting burnt-out dealing with trying to get a frame and then get my money back, I sold the 1200c engine the end of December and scraped the Sportster project.

I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. I’m thinking I’ll just stick to the “Big Twins”.

During WWII, Harley Davidson produced about 70,000 WLA and WLC military motorcycles for the US Army and their Allies. This is the motorcycle that won the war.

The WLA’s were used extensively by US Troops for messenger and Military Police duties. These bikes were nicknamed ‘Liberators’ in Europe since they were ridden by troops liberating their towns and countries from German occupation.

The best site on the web for the documented history of the WLA and the men who rode them can be found at The Liberator. I highly recommend you check it out. You can spend days going through the pages on this great website.

The above info and images courtesy of The Liberator.

If you are not doing anything this weekend you may want to add your name to the VFW Veterans Day Pledge. VFW Commander-in-Chief Thomas J. Tradewell, Sr., plans to carry the signed pledge with him throughout the year as he visits with America’s defenders. Veterans and service members around the world will see your signature and know our nation still cares. Hit the sign the pledge button below.

Notice; The White House has NOT approved this post or this website.
Thank you to all those who are serving, or have served our great country. Happy Veterans Day!

Harley Davidson just released this new video showing off some of their new metal masterpieces for 2010.

I like the look of the new Wide-Glide with the black spoke wheels.

Check out the new video….not bad. Stimulate the economy buy a new Harley!

Ride Safe.