Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth?
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Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/8/2008 5:57:30 PM
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nettensa
Posts: 5
Joined: 3/8/2008
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I have recently came upon an oportunity to aquire a 1943 HD from my father. I don't know allot about these bikes. The bike is supposed to have all the original parts on it (except paint). It does run and is a good runner at that. It is a very nice bike but does need some attention to be mint. What is a bike like this worth? I could possibly send some pics if needed. My dad is at a point in his life where he needs to sell it. He has owned it for about 15 years and has held off selling it as long as he can. He really wants me to have it to keep it in the family. This bike means allot to him because he bought this as a gift to himself for being clean and sober after 5 years. I would like to have the bike and want to give him a fair price for it. The number on the engine is 281-87. Thank you for any information!
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/10/2008 4:44:43 PM
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Rodney
Posts: 688
Joined: 5/23/2007
From: Central Oregon
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Thats a good question?
what did you father pay for it 15 years ago?
pictures would be nice, I love to look at old Harley's {don't we all  }
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1968 FLH owned for 30 years
2002 FXSTDI
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/12/2008 8:55:50 AM
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panz4ever
Posts: 429
Joined: 10/20/2005
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What its worth I suppose is what you (or someone else would be willing to spend for it). The closer to stock, the more its value in some circles of interest. Guesstimate...7-12?K, probably more if it is close to mint condition.
You did not say if it is a knuckle or a flathead but the vin# should look something like 43WLAxxxx or 43Uxxxx for a flattie and 43ELxxxx for a knuck. Flatheads came is low and high compression models as did knuckleheads so the alpha changed accordingly.
The engine number you posted does not translate to anything. Are you sure you are looking at the vin? It is located on the left side of the motor cases on a raised boss just below where the cylinder heads join in a v formation.
And...yes a pic is always helpful, as well as enjoyment for all who love to look at old iron. Hope you keep it in the family.
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/12/2008 9:45:45 AM
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Rodney
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From: Central Oregon
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he states in the title of the post
Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth
_____________________________
1968 FLH owned for 30 years
2002 FXSTDI
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/12/2008 10:05:50 AM
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DeJavu
Posts: 2824
Joined: 6/29/2007
From: Bellville, Tx
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If it indeed has all original parts, and you find engine numbers 43FLxxxx or 43ELxxxx on the cases it could be worth a lot. Basically whatever the traffic will bear. Pics really are necessary to give an accurate worth.
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You find out who your bros are when you ride a kick only bike.
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/12/2008 10:08:15 AM
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hotrod351
Posts: 278
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well theres a really nice 47 on ebay right now and its hitting $27,000.00
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/13/2008 11:37:06 AM
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Rodney
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From: Central Oregon
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I'm No expert on old bikes but isn't that a 45 ci in?
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1968 FLH owned for 30 years
2002 FXSTDI
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/13/2008 11:44:25 AM
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nettensa
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I believe so. That's what my dad called it.
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/13/2008 2:33:41 PM
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DeJavu
Posts: 2824
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From: Bellville, Tx
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As a resoration 45" WLA it is not going to bring near the $ a Knuckle would. As a good rider it would be a hit at any rally. In no way would I consider putting myself in modern traffic with it, at their best the brakes are inadequate and the handling questionable.
It is collectible but quite a few still exist so they aren't that rare.
All that being said, I would enjoy riding it on some back country roads with little traffic, and being a tech nut, would get my rocks off restoring and maintaining it. If you can, keep it as a piece of your family history, it's value will not decline.
Ride it, but respect its age and ability, it's the granddady of the sportster, but the sportster has come a long way since your WLA was built.
_____________________________
You find out who your bros are when you ride a kick only bike.
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/13/2008 2:59:37 PM
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sqdealgeorge
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Do you want to see a 46 knuck chopper ? I'll E-mail at ya
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/13/2008 3:03:14 PM
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Malac Frost
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I cannot give you a solid number but I would say in present condition approx. $20,000.00. HD only made motorcycles for the war effort for a couple of few years up until 1943. In 1943 they began once again to offer them to civilians. I may be off in my number but I beleive they only produced around 1400 of them in that year. I recently saw a completely restored 1943 Delux in a car show. The price tag on it was $68,000.00. I am not sure if they will get that much out of it but if that is the asking price at a car show and that price tag stayed on it longer than 15 minutes it can't be too unreasonable. Anyways I think you are sitting on one heck of a peice of american history and if it was me I would pay what ever he asked and just be thankful to have the oppertunity to aquire such a fine bike. Just my .02, good luck with the decission.
Malac
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/17/2008 7:59:48 PM
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sightminer
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Heck, you got the money - I'd get the bike if it were me. While yes, they made a lot of 45" flatties, they ain't making them anymore.
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/27/2008 11:30:37 PM
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imboden
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hate to do this, but I'd check out this other site, theres some pretty good folks that know lots about older bikes..... www.caimag.com just don't let sombody try and talk you out of it here or there, somebody is always lookin for a deal. I've sold a few old ones lately for 18,000 and they didn't even run. lets see, 48WR, and a 47 knuck
anyways, good luck
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/28/2008 9:39:26 AM
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panz4ever
Posts: 429
Joined: 10/20/2005
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Production numbers for 1943...43WLA (US Army) = 24,717...43WLC (Canadian Army) = 2,647. Always ridden old iron. You can make then daily riders (maintenance is key), you can ride them in traffic (I do my best to avoid this), you can ride in the slow lane on a freeway (I avoid this and stick to two lane blacktop cuz it way more fun). They do not stop as fast (means you have to ride defensively at ALL times), and they do not handle as well as modern iron (but they weigh about half of the weight as modern bikes). That being said..they are extremely easy to maintain, they start easy, and they are a blast to ride.
I sold a 46 flattie after 20 years of owning it for a 49 EL basket case w/ a sidecar frame. Got 14K for the flattie (stock except for paint). You can't compare knuckles to flatheads anymore than you can compare pans to shovels. You may be able to make a determination that a certain year model of HD will command a better dollar becuase it was limited in production (seems to depend on people and MoCo...get real here cuz every 5 years they are putting out Anniversary editions by the thousands), a first year (ie FX Superglide) or a last year (ie 47 knuckle)
Some naysayer will look at the production numbers for 43 and say 'Look how many they made' Okay, but how many are still out there on the road? I do not see that many. Mostly evo and twin cams. I have several old bikes. When I ride the 65 pan only old bikers (like me) seem to notice it any appreciate it for what it is. When I ride my 76 FLH Bi-Centennial FLH and park it I get modern riders who give me a look like "you are kidding...right?".
Bottom line.. you are looking at a way cool piece of history and from the looks it has been well maintained, so just do it. In addition to the other site mentioned check out www.hydra-glide.net They deal with pans, flatties and knuckles exclusively. And the folks on the site own and ride them as well.
Last thought. Your VIN number is located on a raised boss on the left side of your cases. Look below the carb. At the base of the cyclinders above the timing hole plug.
< Message edited by panz4ever -- 3/28/2008 9:56:08 AM >
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/30/2008 8:39:05 AM
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nettensa
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Joined: 3/8/2008
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Thanks allot for the information. We have decided to put the bike up for sale. So anyone out there interested please contact. I'm going to post on some forums and if it does not sell we are putting it on ebay.
Thank you.
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 3/30/2008 10:25:15 PM
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downzero
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I just want to say that is a bad ass bike! I'd ride the hell out of that thing.
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 4/15/2008 6:09:16 PM
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Riff156
Posts: 43
Joined: 10/10/2007
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What a beautiful bike. Wow, you're selling it-- well, I hope she finds a home with someone who'll ride her. Good luck!
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 5/19/2008 10:36:00 PM
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43 big flathead
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Joined: 5/19/2008
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The 1943 nuck ie a very rear bike, the production in 1943 was almost nothing for civialian use. I belive it to be under 50 nuckels all 61 inch and under 500 74 inch flattys the rest of production went to the military mostly 45 inch WLA but some 74 flathead and a few XA bikes. I have been looking for a 43 nuck for 25 years and have only seen 3 bikes, two went to Japan to colectors with big bucks. I own a 43 74 inch UL with a 43 side car, I'm a lucky man. I am an old fart and 1943 is my birth year.
The more original the better but the engine alone is worth more than $20.000. If you can find a way to get this bike form your Dad jump on it you will never be sorry Don't let this one get out of the country, and don't let some guy steal it.
Good Luck Rob
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RE: Whats a 1943 Knuckle head worth? - 5/23/2008 4:36:31 PM
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roamingwolf
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Joined: 5/23/2008
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would like to know what you want for it, i live in idaho and for the right price i would travel.
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