Potato..potato...question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
For me it would be a Shovel or Pan. And if you get a pan with the manual advance you can really get the low and slow thump going.
No matter what you simply cannot replicate the sound with something newer; you can get close but...
No matter what you simply cannot replicate the sound with something newer; you can get close but...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
I was told that when the idle was turned down pretty low the oil pump would not be able to pump oil up into the heads and the top end could be damaged. I think this applies to anything later than a panhead. Anyway, I don't want to find out so I idle my dinosaurs around 900-1000 rpm. That slow idle does sound neat though.
When I got my FI EVO, the hot idle had been set too low and it would pop real bad at idle. It also shook pretty bad. Once I adjusted it, all that went away.
carl
When I got my FI EVO, the hot idle had been set too low and it would pop real bad at idle. It also shook pretty bad. Once I adjusted it, all that went away.
carl
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,228
Likes: 7,806
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
But couple of things....
*It's a different sound. Not the "big block" sound. I still love 'em...but, as your posted link proves...it's a different sound...and a smoother idle..no "lumpy" idle.
*Ain't many around for people to hear. I'll see another Shovel on the road at least weekly, and at least monthly I'll see a Pan on the road.
A Knuck? Can't recall ever seeing one out in the wild...only a bike shows 'n events...or in someones garage/barn.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I absolutely love 'em.
But couple of things....
*It's a different sound. Not the "big block" sound. I still love 'em...but, as your posted link proves...it's a different sound...and a smoother idle..no "lumpy" idle.
*Ain't many around for people to hear. I'll see another Shovel on the road at least weekly, and at least monthly I'll see a Pan on the road.
A Knuck? Can't recall ever seeing one out in the wild...only a bike shows 'n events...or in someones garage/barn.
But couple of things....
*It's a different sound. Not the "big block" sound. I still love 'em...but, as your posted link proves...it's a different sound...and a smoother idle..no "lumpy" idle.
*Ain't many around for people to hear. I'll see another Shovel on the road at least weekly, and at least monthly I'll see a Pan on the road.
A Knuck? Can't recall ever seeing one out in the wild...only a bike shows 'n events...or in someones garage/barn.
He rides the Knuckle on a regular basis and it sings beautifully. Yes, I agree, the Knuckles are extremely rare, but Pans aren't flying around the streets everywhere either. Obviously the Evos and Shovels are more prevalent than the Pans and Knuckles.
In all, if I had to just listen to one stock Harley engine, it would be a Knuckle all day long. I think in stock form (the ones I posted I don't believe were all stock) the Knuck as it's lumpy sound. I just couldn't find a good example in the short time I looked for an example.
Last edited by baka1969; Jul 28, 2014 at 08:50 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
I was told that when the idle was turned down pretty low the oil pump would not be able to pump oil up into the heads and the top end could be damaged. I think this applies to anything later than a panhead. Anyway, I don't want to find out so I idle my dinosaurs around 900-1000 rpm. That slow idle does sound neat though.
When I got my FI EVO, the hot idle had been set too low and it would pop real bad at idle. It also shook pretty bad. Once I adjusted it, all that went away.
carl
When I got my FI EVO, the hot idle had been set too low and it would pop real bad at idle. It also shook pretty bad. Once I adjusted it, all that went away.
carl
I absolutely love 'em.
But couple of things....
*It's a different sound. Not the "big block" sound. I still love 'em...but, as your posted link proves...it's a different sound...and a smoother idle..no "lumpy" idle.
*Ain't many around for people to hear. I'll see another Shovel on the road at least weekly, and at least monthly I'll see a Pan on the road.
A Knuck? Can't recall ever seeing one out in the wild...only a bike shows 'n events...or in someones garage/barn.
But couple of things....
*It's a different sound. Not the "big block" sound. I still love 'em...but, as your posted link proves...it's a different sound...and a smoother idle..no "lumpy" idle.
*Ain't many around for people to hear. I'll see another Shovel on the road at least weekly, and at least monthly I'll see a Pan on the road.
A Knuck? Can't recall ever seeing one out in the wild...only a bike shows 'n events...or in someones garage/barn.
My 2006 Sportster does that all day long. I wonder if it has to do with the carb. I went to the dealer and heard a fuel injected 2014 Sportster and it didn't have the sound.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
Knucks were never very common. Although they ran from '36-'47, there weren't any civilian models during WWII. Also production numbers were low because OHV was "new" technology for Harley and flatheads were considered more reliable and less expensive.
It's entirely possible that a lot of people have never seen a running Knuckle. The newest Knucklehead out there is 67 years old, it's rare when you find one as a daily rider, although there are still a few around these parts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,228
Likes: 7,806
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
... I know an owner of an Indie shop that has fully restored Knuckles, Pans and Shovels along with a flathead K. They're all 95%+ (some at 99%+) fully original. Gorgeous machines.
He rides the Knuckle on a regular basis and it sings beautifully. Yes, I agree, the Knuckles are extremely rare, but Pans aren't flying around the streets everywhere either. .
He rides the Knuckle on a regular basis and it sings beautifully. Yes, I agree, the Knuckles are extremely rare, but Pans aren't flying around the streets everywhere either. .
See a couple of Shovels here 'n there...a few rare Pans, but no Knucks on the road in my parts.
Always a treat to see old bikes on the road....