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1946 EL or FL knucklehead, cant tell without seeing the VIN on the other side of the engine. EL is 61 inch engine, FL is 74 inch. 46 was the last year of the beehive tail light, cat eye dash and oval tank badges. Mid-year 46 was the last year of the narrow fender braces and this bike has wide braces like my 46. So, assuming whoever restored the bike got those specific details correct, then its a mid to late 46 knucklehead. Where they got details wrong is the amount of chrome. 1946 was still affected by the military restrictions on using precious metals that were needed for the war such as Chromium and Brass so there was a shortage so soon after the war. 1942-46 lacked chrome big time, 43, 44 and 45 had essentially no chrome other than the nuts on the rocker boxes and the spirals on the handle bars (hand grips are on the spirals). By the time the above example was built (based on the fender braces) it would've still had painted tank badges, no fender light, no side trim, possibly no fender tips, 2 black rims (not just the front), horn cover would be black, head light bezel most likely black. Chrome gas caps, shifter and gate, air cleaner and push rod tubes. The seat is wrong or at least how its mounted is.
This 46 I found on-line is very correct but its an earlier version noted by its narrow fender braces (not so sure about the rear rack though) vs the pic from the OP. Earlier meant even less chrome like this example, note parkerized pushrod tubes and painted air cleaner. Painted gas caps, speedo bezel is also black but it has chrome spirals and rocker nuts. My guess is they had a surplus of those items and those two items are steel not brass which may also be a factor. The rest of the chromed parts on Harleys were chromed brass components, a double no-no in war time.
My restoration is based on sales orders cross-referenced with vin numbers to narrow down how much chrome mine would've had in theory.
Another detail to note is the lack of rubber pads on the foot boards, they are stamped metal and the hand grips are plastic as is the kicker pedal. Another war-time restriction was rubber use so HD switched to plastic.
Last edited by hellonewman; Aug 6, 2023 at 07:42 AM.
as said, gonna need vin - first 4 digits - to even guess
i say guess cause ol [rip] friend had 90", that other than carb, looked original
nother one round here was 88"
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