Need help identifying Harley Model and Year
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
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From: Delaware
Need help identifying Harley Model and Year
Trying to identify the year and model of a Harley my grandpa had back in the day. The picture was taken May of 1946. The tank badge is throwing me off maybe it was added by him but I can not find anything like it. Also if you can identify it what characteristics make it identifiable. Any help and input is appreciated. Thanks fellas.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
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From: Farmington ,MS
It is a flathead...that tank emblem was used from 40-46.
http://databikes.com/infophoto/harle...head-1946.html
http://databikes.com/infophoto/harle...head-1946.html
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
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From: SouthWestern Ontario
Definitely a flathead from the 40s but with the drive chain on the right side it looks to be a "45" cu. in. (750cc). I forgot more than I know about the flatheads but did own/ride a few of them in the 60s.
It sure is a great pic to have of your grandfather and his bike!
I'm sure a flathead expert will step up with more answers. There were many variations made during the war years for many different countries. I had two 1942 WLA models. During the war years the WLAs could have been produced from '42 to '45 but were all designated as 1942 models IIRC. The one I had, had a distributor like in your grandfather's photo and the other had a magneto. Both were chopped in the early 60s style. I've posted pics of the one here several times but sadly have none of the magneto model "45". Good luck on the information search. I enjoyed seeing the photo, thanks for sharing with us.
Edit: During WW2 my wife's dad taught soldiers how to ride these bikes at Camp Ipperwash here in Ontario. He is hitting 90 years old, lives right next door to us today but can't remember much about the bikes any more. I vaguely remember some of the stories he told us 40 years ago about his army days and riding these bikes.
It sure is a great pic to have of your grandfather and his bike!
I'm sure a flathead expert will step up with more answers. There were many variations made during the war years for many different countries. I had two 1942 WLA models. During the war years the WLAs could have been produced from '42 to '45 but were all designated as 1942 models IIRC. The one I had, had a distributor like in your grandfather's photo and the other had a magneto. Both were chopped in the early 60s style. I've posted pics of the one here several times but sadly have none of the magneto model "45". Good luck on the information search. I enjoyed seeing the photo, thanks for sharing with us.
Edit: During WW2 my wife's dad taught soldiers how to ride these bikes at Camp Ipperwash here in Ontario. He is hitting 90 years old, lives right next door to us today but can't remember much about the bikes any more. I vaguely remember some of the stories he told us 40 years ago about his army days and riding these bikes.
Last edited by Recycled; Jul 20, 2014 at 06:43 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 290
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From: Florida
Great throwback picture! I'm not smart enough to say. If I had a guess...I would say 41 Flatdhead WLD with a faring from one of the war models?
Amazing pic - If you look at it side by side with a new Street glide the styling hasn't changed that much IMO.
Thanks for sharing that picture!
Amazing pic - If you look at it side by side with a new Street glide the styling hasn't changed that much IMO.
Thanks for sharing that picture!
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Delaware
Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it. The picture was taken while my grandfather was at home (Missouri) on his way from New York to California during a PCS shortly after he switched branches to the Air Force when it became in '47. Again thanks for the help fellas!
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
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From: SouthWestern Ontario
Looks to be the same model Danny.
These bikes were so plentiful around here in the 60s, you could pick them up for a few hundred bucks or more depending on condition. I knew at least a half dozen guys that rode them. We stripped them down, put a reverse gear in them, and ran them on the dirt and gravel roads. There was nothing like the feeling of sliding one of these rigids around the corners in the dirt or gravel once you got rid of the excess weight, behemouth seat and lowered the center of gravity. I will say the one in these pics, taken in '69 was one of the most fun bikes I've ever had. Not pretty or fast but what a blast. I could write a book on my escapades with this bike.
Apparently after spending a few hundred bucks on an old "45" and some aviator sun glasses, we couldn't afford shoes!
I'd love to have another but I'd probably just leave it original and put it on display.
These bikes were so plentiful around here in the 60s, you could pick them up for a few hundred bucks or more depending on condition. I knew at least a half dozen guys that rode them. We stripped them down, put a reverse gear in them, and ran them on the dirt and gravel roads. There was nothing like the feeling of sliding one of these rigids around the corners in the dirt or gravel once you got rid of the excess weight, behemouth seat and lowered the center of gravity. I will say the one in these pics, taken in '69 was one of the most fun bikes I've ever had. Not pretty or fast but what a blast. I could write a book on my escapades with this bike.
Apparently after spending a few hundred bucks on an old "45" and some aviator sun glasses, we couldn't afford shoes!
I'd love to have another but I'd probably just leave it original and put it on display.