Help identifying a motorcycle

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 25, 2022 | 05:31 AM

BigHorseRider

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Oct 2022

Posts: 23

Likes: 5

From: Cape Town

Help identifying a motorcycle

Hello everybody,

I am new here. I would like to try and identify a Harley motorcycle, if anyone is knowledgeable on vintage bikes

This is it:

Oct 25, 2022 | 06:24 AM

eighteight

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 10,790

Likes: 7,415

From: OH

U model
74 or 80 inch flathead
Badging is `41 to 47 IIRC

Oct 25, 2022 | 06:27 AM

Architect

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 9,556

Likes: 7,904

From: Long Island, New York

Agree, U, UL or ULH 1941 to 1946 if we assume all is original. Some may refer to her as a Big Twin Side Valve BTSV or "big" Flathead.

Nice bike,

Oct 25, 2022 | 06:28 AM

kel03

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 17,684

Likes: 6,062

From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Welcome to the forums from Ontario, Canada , no ownership or title?

Oct 25, 2022 | 07:22 AM

470004

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 25,020

Likes: 19,431

From: New York

+1 on the U, UL or ULH model. Welcome from New York.

Oct 25, 2022 | 07:42 AM

eighteight

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 10,790

Likes: 7,415

From: OH

Let`s not overlook the vintage Firebird in the background

Early model , straight rear window and chrome bumper
70 1/2 to `73

Nice

Last edited by eighteight; Oct 25, 2022 at 07:46 AM.

Oct 25, 2022 | 07:47 AM

BigHorseRider

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Oct 2022

Posts: 23

Likes: 5

From: Cape Town

Thank you! So, it was between the WL models and the panhead.
Apart from a bigger displacement, were there major improvements over the WL?
I'm considering buying and restoring it for regular use.

Trending Topics

1979 XLH 1000 - a good year?

101

2.2k
Stage 1 - What tuner are you using?

28

1k
Oil temp monitoring on a 23 Ultra Limited

27

688
Interview - A Straight-Talking Harley-Davidson Dealer

43

2.3k
New to me FLHTK

19

517

Oct 25, 2022 | 07:52 AM

eighteight

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 10,790

Likes: 7,415

From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigHorseRider

Thank you! So, it was between the WL models and the panhead.
Apart from a bigger displacement, were there major improvements over the WL?
I'm considering buying and restoring it for regular use.

Both the W and U started in `37
U stopped in `48 W carried on in solo form until `52 and servicar till 73
They were the first flat heads with recirculating oil systems . big improvement over the earlier R and V models
U has double downtube frame and a 4 speed gearbox W has neither
Here are some U variants to ponder

Attached Files

scan_20221025091003.pdf (769.3 KB, 84 views)

Last edited by eighteight; Oct 25, 2022 at 08:13 AM.

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Verdad Gallardo

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Verdad Gallardo

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Verdad Gallardo

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Verdad Gallardo

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Verdad Gallardo

Oct 25, 2022 | 08:16 AM

BigHorseRider

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Oct 2022

Posts: 23

Likes: 5

From: Cape Town

Awesome. Thank you all, and well spotted on the Firebird.
Any rough idea of the bottom and top value of one of these Model U restored? It's a barn find, and looks rough but it starts easily and rolls. A good paint job, change of tires, renovation of brakes, and it should be in ship shape.