Harley-Davidson Restored 1947 45CI Flathead

For sale: Harley-Davidson VIN 47WL5416; title is clear; a beautiful restored original. This is a real civilian model 45CI Flathead, ot a military WLA which has been civilianized. I am the 3rd owner of this wonderful machine, aving purchased it in 1989. Per my conversations with the 2nd owner it originally belonged to a friend who served in the US Army during WW2. The 1st owner, pon enlisting, as sent to Harley-Davidson training and afterwards was assigned to a motor pool. He was deployed to various European theaters during the war, nd when he wasn't working as a mechanic, e was pressed into messenger service, iding a WLA. After the war, his 1st owner purchased the bike in 1947 as he had become so familiar with the simplicity and durability of the army version of this model. He was supposedly a very serious rider and owned many Harleys over the years, ltimately logging 43,030 miles on this unit. The bike was last registered in 1984. Owner #1 died in 1987 of lung cancer and at that point the 2nd owner became caretaker of the bike, ever rode it, nd just stored it. Owner #2 put this Harley up for sale, n the newspaper, n 1989. I never personally met the 2nd owner and made the deal with him to purchase the bike over the phone while he was in the hospital, aving been diagnosed with terminal kidney failure. The bike was all there but had suffered thru a very hard life, nd so over the next 25 years, etween other projects, did a total frame off restoration. I’m a retired ASE Certified Master Technician. The restoration was completed in 2014. I myself have logged only 7 miles on this bike. It starts easy, uns terrific, he transmission and clutch are very smooth. All the sheet metal is original and is restored and repainted back to Harley Flight Red. The tires are new 5x16 Coker whitewalls with factory Kelsey-Hayes rims that have been re-chromed and are laced and trued and balanced, ith stainless spokes. The original springer front end, rame, nd wheel hubs are powder coated. The springer has a steering dampener and optional mechanical ride control. I’ve used some restoration grade chromed parts on the rebuild: the front running light, he headlight, he dash, he rear tail light, he tank emblems. I went completely thru the 3 speed transmission and engine; the engine is .070 over, nd now has hardened valve seats. The cylinders and heads have been milled. A new reproduction cloth harness was installed; the original generator is restored; the 6 volt battery is 3 months old. It is left hand tank shift with a left foot clutch. The left hand grip accommodates a manual retard/advance as well as the front brake lever. The rear brakes are operated by the right foot pedal. Both brakes are mechanical. The right hand grip controls the throttle to the original brass Linkert M51 carburetor. The original speedster handlebars ride on 3.5” chromed original flanders risers. It has factory crash bars and a new fishtail exhaust. It has the original teardrop tool box equipped with a compliment of tools. I have always kept this motorcycle inside in a climate controlled area.
“If you are looking for a bike with patina-the new word for a rusty, nloved, uncared for motorcycles-please look elsewhere since I have spent the last 25 years making sure my beautiful motorcycle has no patina of any kind! “
NADA values this model at $14,035 in Very Good condition and $26,390 in excellent condition. While maybe not totally perfect, his bike is way beyond Very Good. If you want a bike with Harley history that you can ride reliably with class and confidence, his is your opportunity; or if you want a museum piece: this bike is that, oo. Questions welcomed. Thank you for bidding….good luck.

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