1947 Harley Davidson Knucklehead FLH Hand shift Vintage

"The Last Knucklehead"  We all  love the old Harleys or you wouldn't be reading this now. The vision was to build a fully loaded. original sounding and feeling late 40's Touring machine with all the modern upgrades that could be put together in a "drop dead gorgeous" motorcycle. Not a stocker. not a bobber. not a chopper. not an overpriced rusty original that needs 15K to make rideable.  At our age. we like baggers and guys in the early 1950's would have given their first born to have a machine of this reliability and ease of starting.  Make no mistake. the handling and shifting is definitely vintage. That being said. it is ridden weekly on Salt Lake City freeways and recently I picked up my Snowbird tickets on it. up the twisty Little Cottonwood Canyon. I did not witness the events. but the parking lot attendant said 3 enthusiasts came over and took pictures of her in a half hour.  My personal time estimate in this labor of love is close to 1000 hours.  I am a slow amateur. not a pro. but I know what looks right on a "Knuck". Every single piece on this machine has been painstakingly disassembled and reconstructed from the hand made wheel bearings to the original restored speedometer correct for the "one-year" Last Knucklehead.   The idea was not to build an original restored bike. but a bike that looks original on the road to all but the purists. This is a Rider not a Garage Queen.  It is an elemental tourer capable of 400 mile days at a steady 60 to 65 MPH.  Handshift/Footclutch bikes are the way Harleys were meant to be - not clutched by weaker hand strength. but by a strong leg. You must practice extensively in safe areas before venturing out into traffic. but take note - it is a blast to drive and you will be the only handshift bike on the road.    I am the third owner. The first owner purchased the bike new in "47" and sold it to Roger Jensen. a young rancher in Sheridan Wyoming.  Roger rode it winter and summer from 1951 to 1960 when it had racked up 54. 00 miles and was on its last 70 thousandths rebore.  It was put in the proverbial barn until 2001 when Roger passed away and his brother Duane sold the bike to me.  You can see Roger's last license plate from 1960 still gracing the rear fender along with the vintage Utah KNL plate.  I even have a full quart of Harley oil from 1960. At the celebration "Kickstart party" in March 2006. fifty people came to celebrate the first starting of the machine in 46 years.  Duane spoke of his brother's years on the bike and how he rode it many times to San Diego thru the Wyoming winter.  He had paid $275 for it and was worried that he had paid too much. The following is a list of the major modifications and benefits made to this special machine:1.     A disc brake from a GSX-R 750 cleverly grafted onto the original springer front end.  If you are riding on today's highways and speeds. marginal brakes are not acceptable. The fully restored original wheel and brake mechanism is included for those of you who really must have it on the bike.  Personally I like having good brakes. 2.     Original "Flight Red" correct color for 1947. Original gas tanks. 3.     Frame. wheels and all small parts are powder coated Gloss Black.  The frame and engine original for year 1947. 4      Original 6 volt timer/distributor with left handlebar manual timing adjustment is retained for that original feel which is useful for slowing the idle down at a stoplight and helps ease starting.  I have just purchased an electronic ignition ($171). which is still in the box (see pic) for someone who wants to install it.  I liked it because the original timer is retained. unlike other electronic ignitions which necessitated a new non-original looking timer. 5.     Upgraded to late model "spin-on" oil filter that looks similar to the period canister type filter that are notorious "oil leakers". 6.     "Primo" brand clutch with matching BDL belt drive hides inside the stock tin primary case. This makes a durable. smooth snatch free. power transfer without the old" total loss" primary chain lubing system that always had a puddle of oil under machines of this vintage.  7.     Original barrels have been sleeved and bored to 20 thou oversize.  High zinc 60 weight oil for vintage engines used after a 500 mile using special break in oil.  New valves. new pushrods and crank rebuilt. etc. 8.     Original Tillotson brass carb with "adjustable high and low jetting needles". useful for altitude changes.  Original air cleaner cover with K&N gauze air filter. 9.     Sealed 6 volt battery cleverly concealed inside original lead acid battery case.  No battery leaking like the originals. 10.    Primary circuit breaker and secondary fuses protect the electrical system. 11.    Premium quality "correct for period" extra thick leather saddlebags and matching "buddy" seat with requisite matching fringe. 12.    Period windshield for those longer tours. 13.    Rechromed luggage rack that came on the bike when Roger bought it in 1951. 14.    Great looking black mirrors that look similar to period units but actually work.  From late model HD. 15.    Original hand built hubs and wheel bearings. 16.    New original style wiring harness complete. To start a bike like this. start with the ignition off. give it 3 or 4 primary kicks. full throttle with the choke on in order to prime the intake with fuel. then retard the timing a bit. open the choke half a click. turn on ignition and your next kick is the magic starting kick. This is an easy starting bike if you follow the drill.  Add the electronic ignition and it may start itself. Several manuals and background books are included along with the original grease smeared "Owners Operating booklet"(see pic) and were used to give this "Last Knuckle" the proper period look. There were dozens of other smaller improvements incorporated as I went along thru the build process.  Call or text with questions or email bob. wager@gmail. com.  I could deliver within 500 miles for expenses. or an experienced rider could fly in and ride it home. It's that good!     This bike is a reliable. medium distance tourer that retains the look and feel of an original handshift. rigid frame Harley Davidson from the 40's.      

On Nov-28-14 at 08:29:37 PST. seller added the following information:

Number 8 says Tillotson carb  but it really is a Linkert. Memory lapse.

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