New here and asking for advise. I am currently at a farm auction and I look in a horse trailer and what do I find? A 1947 Knucklehead that was not advertised but will be on the block in about 2 hrs.

Its rough, missing rear head, frame looks like a 1970's chop that went bad, a springer front end that looks like a death trap. Very few original parts but the motor and trans are there (minus the rear head). Cash is in hand, how far do I take it?????

 

I wouldn't bid at all but if I did I'd stay below 2G.

 

I understand there isn't much left on her but I may have a hard time letting it go. I have a 49 Pan frame that this could find a home in.... was thinking 2 might be my top as well. We shall see.

 

Mostly depends on the title...if it titled as a 1947 Harley Davidson, and the case numbers match the title..the cases themselves could be worth quite a bit.
It it is just a bunch of mismatched parts(which is what the whole bike looks like) your 2k bid may be too much.

 

Had title #'s matching, and for anyone keeping track at home an internet bidder took it. Bike is going to California for $8800... more than I was prepared for.

 

Like any other auction item, it's ultimate worth is determined by the highest bid ...

 

the 1947 knuckle motor was over produced by 10,000 units this was a pay back from Harley, too all the owners who had many many issues from 1936 on, it was a good faith offering as the dealer who had a customer with a bad knuckle engine, the factory would send a new 1947 vintage unit with the re stamp numbers on loan to the dealer and he would stamp the engine with the bikes number, this is the reason so many 1947 knuckles are around with out all the original parts,

just so you know pre war knuckles are bringing 6 figures in original museum quality condition - heads are 2000 each in maybe rebuilding condition - I need a set of pre war gas tanks at oley I found one set they were 7 thousand bucks

most are still living in 1970s when it comes to what is going on today

knuckles are the motorcycle hemi cuda

 

last engine only i saw round here went for $7500. w/papers. $2000. was just a dream

 

I am not a collector, nor a restorer, nor investor. I ride. And while do all of my own wrenching, modding and light fab-work, I wouldn't have gone $500 for that pile of junk. I could definitely spend the cash after someone else does the heavy lifting though

 

I guess you missed out on Microsoft stock as well - that to you 500 pile in the real world would bring almost 20,000 dollars at the right time and place or more

I have a pre war 1941 first edition under the 2600 units with the 25 degree neck - today a basket missing OEM parts it would bring 30 maybe 35 in a basket - as an original piece confirmed at an AMCA event its a 6 figure machine