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AMCA is a good place to start. We have a meet in Trumansburg NY every year, very close to you. Also meets in Jersey, PA, CT, all half a day drive from your location. You need to get out there and meet some people.
45 prices have gone through the roof in the last 5-10 years. What was worth under $1k is now $12k and up. I can remember declining a complete running 45 for $600, should have bought that bike!?!??!?!
Ebay is a good place to look for reference, prices are high.
Big issue with all old bikes is that most of them (mine included) are made up of parts. To my knowledge my motor, frame and front end left Milwaukee together, after that lots of time and research and scrounging to find year correct parts. That method is also expensive as the parts that are interchangeable with Knuckles are expensive. 45 specific parts can remain cheap and WWII surplus parts (brand new in package) are still out there.
Be patient and buy the best bike you can afford. If you are serious, by Brice Palmer's book and get educated:
45 is a 55 mile an hour almost top speed bike that is cramped to ride if your tall
a UL that like that one - if it runs well enough to use is a 25 to 35 thousand dollar bike on any day and a buy
just so you i know - no one is giving anything away today - you needed to do this if you are cheap 25 years ago
Thanks. I have a Ural and that is a 50-mph ride. (60-on a flat road and not for long). And yeah, but 25-years ago I was still being a landlord on top of a full time career.
Now I'm 65 and closer to retirement. Properties sold this month, so a little extra cash on hand.
If the owner wants that much, I have to pass. But we'll see......
I agree with John $20k and up for a complete bike,
That bike looks to be a bit of a mess, or maybe it is just the front end. The front fender is off a much later 45 and the shock on the fork is a '46 and up thing. 1940 would have ride control.
Rear fender looks to be rotated too far forward, notice luggage rack is not level. I would start thinking the fender is reproduction.
Still a great place to start, but I would be bringing Palmer's book with me and be spending a lot of time checking casting numbers etc. You don't want to pay top dollar for something pieced together.
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Flathead shopping
