Model E/Model EL 1936 - Original Price?
 

Hey,

I'm really hoping someone out there will be able to help me in my search for info. I've always been curious as to the original prices and specifications of the Model E and Model EL knuckleheads when they were released in 1936, but finding out decent info. has been like smashing my head against a brick wall repeatedly.
Is anyone here able to tell me how much the E and EL originally cost way back in 1936, cheers?
Also, not really knucklehead-related, but in a similar vein, does anyone happen to know the bhp, top speed, or original cost of the Model JD in 1925-1929, thanks?
Any light folks canshed on these details would be greatly appreciated.

regards,
Col

RE: Model E/Model EL 1936 - Original Price?
 

Specs for the EL, (the high compression model):
60.33ci, (988.56cc), 3.31" x 3.5" bore/stroke, 40 horses @ 4,800 rpm, 32mm Linkert carb, duplex primary chain, drum brakes, coil/points ignition, 59.5" wheelbase, 565 lbs, 3.75 gallon tank, 95 mph. The seat height was 26", and the tires 18".

Knuckleheads: 61ci OHV, (4 speed)
EL Special Sport Solo, high compression, (1,526), $380 -->
E Solo, medium compression, (152), $380
ES Sidecar, high compression, (26), $380

Info from Bruce's Harley Page http://mypage.iusb.edu/~bbryner/hrlypage.html

RE: Model E/Model EL 1936 - Original Price?
 

Skip,

Huge thanks for that, mate; greatly appreciated, and cheers for a damn fine link as well. :D

Col

RE: Model E/Model EL 1936 - Original Price?
 

There's another interesting bit of info about the 1936 E/EL models. They were originally sold with open rocker arms. This would leave a small corona of oil on the engine heads and the rider's knees. Ha. I understand that only about 2,000 or so were built in 1936. As you know they were the first production OHV with a recirculating oil pump that HD sold.

I'm only offering an educated guess here but I believe they sold in the $500-600 region back then. I know for a fact that the 1954 panheads were selling at $1,450 in that year. How do I know? I looked at the price tag on one in Chicago at Dolezal HD.

My personal opinion on the 1936-1939 HD Big Twins (later nick-named the Knucklehead) is that they are the most beautiful motorcycle ever built. I say this in the sense that they had it all, form, function, design motiff and that HD sound. This is not to disregard Indian, but I give the nod to HD. I'm an Art-Deco nut anyway and I thnk they are the nicest. Harley is still using the handsome design motiff from that motorcycle.

See the latest issue of AIM Magazine. There is a short article about the 1936 EL model with pictures of a nice restoration.

Yes,I owned a 1946 FL when I was but a mere child in Chicago. It was OEM red and completely original. I traded for a 1948 Matchless single that had a bad right main bearing. I had $200 in the Matchless. Ha. The 74" was nice but the 61" were almost as fast and they were a smoother engine.

In Chicago in the 1950's they called them the "Big Twin" as opposed the little brother the 45" W, WL, WLA, WLDR, WR models. The name knucklehead came later and I think it was a West Coast addition. Harley owns the name now.

By the way, the "E" Model was the low compression version with 6:1 compression pistons and he "EL" was considered high compression with 7:1 pistons. The later "F" and "FL" came out in 1940 or '41 and had a 3-7/16" bore and 3-31/32" stroke, The flywheels were a bit larger then those of the early 61's.

US