Can anyone ID these old Harleys?
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Stage III
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Ohio
Can anyone ID these old Harleys?
Hi guys,
Attached are a couple scans of some Harleys my Grandpa used to own...I think they're from the late 40s. Sorry for the photo quality, these are scans of photocopies...I'm trying to track down the originals and get some better quality scans.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Paul
Attached are a couple scans of some Harleys my Grandpa used to own...I think they're from the late 40s. Sorry for the photo quality, these are scans of photocopies...I'm trying to track down the originals and get some better quality scans.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Paul
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From: Long Island, New York
First and third pictures are definitely Knuckleheads, 1936 thru 1947. Hard to tell in the pictures what kind of tank badges they have, that would be a good year indicator. Are they pictures of the same bike or different bikes he owned?
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Stage III
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Ohio
Thanks guys!
I really think the pics of the two bikes from the side are different bikes and the pic from the rear is of one of those two.
Grandpa has passed away, but he told me he thought they may have been a 1946 "61" or a 1948 "74". At the time, he couldn't remember if that was right or not. I believe he and his brothers also had some "45s" at one time too....not sure if one of these may be it or not.
I really think the pics of the two bikes from the side are different bikes and the pic from the rear is of one of those two.
Grandpa has passed away, but he told me he thought they may have been a 1946 "61" or a 1948 "74". At the time, he couldn't remember if that was right or not. I believe he and his brothers also had some "45s" at one time too....not sure if one of these may be it or not.
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Stage III
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Ohio
Is there a way to tell a difference between a "61" and a "74" from these photos?
Also, I noticed the bike in the first photo has the three headlights...was that an aftermarket add on?
Thanks!
Also, I noticed the bike in the first photo has the three headlights...was that an aftermarket add on?
Thanks!
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From: la la land jerzey
cant tell from the out side what size it is - i just did a 46 el and it had pan head jugs 74 inch - the blocks and heads were the same jugs were different and flywheels / also the connecting rods early were longer then the later ones today we convert the rods to pan shovel so pistons and rings are always available 7.470 verses 7.440 lengths shorter is always available the crank pin is also different as its stepped compared to the later crank pin that is not stepped
the 61 inch big twin was a dog most converted them to a 74 BUT the 74 jugs were prone to cracking but now we have good copys with numbers that are in the right places so its all good
spot lights is what you are referring to were an option from the dealer but you needed a hi output 3 brush genny , the gennys were not very strong but they did hold up even with the other bulbs on - the genneys were set at 4 amps std and the hi output were 2 amps more a three brush unit all 6 volt / dont hold me to that but i believe that is correct
the 61 inch big twin was a dog most converted them to a 74 BUT the 74 jugs were prone to cracking but now we have good copys with numbers that are in the right places so its all good
spot lights is what you are referring to were an option from the dealer but you needed a hi output 3 brush genny , the gennys were not very strong but they did hold up even with the other bulbs on - the genneys were set at 4 amps std and the hi output were 2 amps more a three brush unit all 6 volt / dont hold me to that but i believe that is correct
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Frederick, MD
Johnjzjz's got it. Low mounted tool box was on '44-47 (what few 44's & 45's were available) and the speedball emblem was first used on the '47 (last year knuck), so #1 is a '47 OHV. Your grandpa would have called it an 'Overhead Valve', not 'Knucklehead.
The upper mounted toolbox on #3 says '40-'42.
#2 looks like it says '47 on the license so who knows?
The upper mounted toolbox on #3 says '40-'42.
#2 looks like it says '47 on the license so who knows?
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