Grandpa's 1938
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Grandpa's 1938
Hi all I am just looking for a good place to get some more info on a bike my grandfather had all he can rember is 1938 65. What I have found out so far is that number is wrong it might be a 61 or a 74 I think. When I get the pic I would think some one could tell by the pic. I am looking for general knowlage about that year Colors? Motor sizes? Options? and Pics lots of pics. If there any sites I can go to or help you can give me it would be great thanks.
Chuck
Chuck
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Nebraska
Ya, go to your library. I just got a book (100 years of Harley I think was the name) and it had a ton of great pics of old bikes. It also had a ton of information on them. It was a great coffee book to look at while I drank my coffee. lol
Road Master
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From: USI
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Peoria, AZ
If it was indeed a "W" series and it wasn't a "V", the flathead was a 45 & 74 cu. in. (60 was the EL model). Assuming it wasn't a servi-car, the number (bike) he may be thinking of was the left case number of W 65 {then production# or "W 65 1234" for example) for a W, WL, or WLD model-solo bike; "solo" meaning to carry a passenger you had to put on a seat attachment {can't remember what it was called}. There was also WLDD in 1939, WLDR in 1941, and WLA/C for the US & Canadian military bikes. The production run for the solos was 1937-52 which had (among other OEM/improvements) a 45 cu. in. (750cc) flathead engine with 2 3/4" bore & 3 13/16" stroke with 5:1 compression capable of 100mph, single-down tube frame, "I"-beam style front fork (until 1939), a three-speed hand shift transmission with left foot clutch pedal. 1938 had cast iron heads using P/N's of -36 (1939 started using aluminum on some models) with 18mm spark plugs and is collector items. Don't have color information exc. for all models from 1936-39 the gas/oil tank emblem was shaped like a split, rounded point arrowhead and had "Harley-Davidson" extending out the tail. An excellent source of information is "How to Restore Your Harley-Davidson" by BRUCE PALMER III @ $39.95 available at most major chains which will give you TONS of info about the bike (and all others).
Elite HDF Member
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
In 1938 there were three models that had 45" Flat Head motors they were the WLD Sport Solo, WL Solo, WLDR Competition these were the only models beside the Servi-car that had 45" motors all had four speed transmissions. Then there were the 61" Knuckle head models, the EL Special Sport solo, and the ES Sidecar Twin. Then you had the 74" Medium compression Flatheads, UL Special Sport Solo, U Solo, US Sidecar Twin. Last but not least you have the 80" Flathead in medium and high compression, ULH (high compression) Special Sport Solo, UH (medium) Solo, UHS (medium) Sidecar Twin. There were a few specialty model UMG 74" with Bosch Magneto, W 45" with 6.8 ci head volume. I did not list the servi-cars as you said it was a motorcycle not a servi-car.
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Hello, I have 1937 UMG model but I don't have the original Bosch magneto-generator. I would be very grateful for any identification data - photo, type etc. Thank you.
Peter
Peter
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Bgosh,WI
[QUOTE=pecold;4722916]Hello, I have 1937 UMG model but I don't have the original Bosch magneto-generator. I would be very grateful for any identification data - photo, type etc. Thank you.
Peter[/QUOTE
Sorry Peter, I think you might have to find a different Forum for that one.
Peter[/QUOTE
Sorry Peter, I think you might have to find a different Forum for that one.
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From: Bgosh,WI
Hi all I am just looking for a good place to get some more info on a bike my grandfather had all he can rember is 1938 65. What I have found out so far is that number is wrong it might be a 61 or a 74 I think. When I get the pic I would think some one could tell by the pic. I am looking for general knowlage about that year Colors? Motor sizes? Options? and Pics lots of pics. If there any sites I can go to or help you can give me it would be great thanks.
Chuck
Chuck
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