Howdy!
I’ve always been into restoring cars but never owned a bike… that’s why this next part has upset so many of my friends that ride lol.
An opportunity presented itself for me to buy my first bike; a 1949 Hydra-Glide FL.
This was a once in a lifetime find and couldn’t pass on it. This purchase was 9 years in the making. “Collectors” are very reluctant to sell. When he called me out of the blue I knew why, and bought it the next day.
This bike was purchased in 1966 by the seller’s dad. On his ride home he realized he legs were too short to comfortable ride it. As such, he parked it for 56 years.
Fortunately for me most of the ‘49 year only parts are still on the bike: Stainless steel trim, sand cast brake drum (and a spare), sand cast front forks, fork tins without Hydra-Glide stamp (provided but not in the bike), etc. The bike even has a non-riveted front fender which could have been replaced at no charge for the riveted replacement in the same year.
My thought is an owner in about ‘52+ went crazy with an accessories catalog buying a dual exhaust, cabbage shredder, jubilee horn, etc.
My vision for the bike is to go 100% original for 1949.
I have not yet checked the case halves stamping for those curious, but the side is stamped correctly for a 49FL.
Having never rebuild a vintage Harley, anything to watch out for to maintain accuracy and correctness?
I’ve rebuilt many cars and understand replacement part quality and correctness impact valuations.
I know a lot, but I don’t know everything. Opinions/comments from the seasoned community are welcome.
Cheers

 

Nick
that under taking is a huge hand full even for a vintage shop - cars are only 20 percent of what a bike is in that condition - round it in PB blaster over a few weeks you are at this point a year or two away from hearing it running and 15 to 20 thousand bucks - doing it your self

every thing you snap brake or strip - bolts not so much nuts - pieces - everything actually - take apart in big pieces and submerge in penna oil week at least - dont hit anything as you cant get some of the original pieces i see - and if you can hundred bucks is a deposit to hold it you need 10 more

tooling is expensive and knowledge base is missing - some of the tooling you even need experience to use or you will not if brake something

having said that have at it - its beyond a learning experience - almost everything you take apart will have a number too confirm its correct for the year and they were early and late models my guess its a late — tape off the last 3 numbers at the center of the engine case left side to see what it is FL FLF - EL - or something else just before he bought it - it could have been a police turn in right time frame as they kept them 8 to 12 years

take lots of pictures and the guys will help will all the questions as nothing is secret - Bruce palmer 111 books are the Bible to own and a must for you to get and other stuff once you get the 2 books you will see Y - factory parts book and service is also on the buy list

 

Curious to see what the frame looks like once its blasted.

If I may ask, what did you pay for this bike?

 

Thats one heck of a find but man, lots of work .Good luck with it.. I look forward to following your progress.

 

we would baking soda the pieces as they will be thin - the barn was 2000 miles away from this one

 

That's going to a serious undertaking ... I hope the OP is a young man

 

Wow, I'm in, lots of pics along the way please.

 

Thanks for the input John!
This will be a huge undertaking that will probably need a 100 gallon tank of PB blaster before I even look at turning a bolt.
The case half is stamped 49FL6XXX
Does this indicate anything to you other than year and model/engine displacement?
I don’t think it was a police bike as I find blue paint under each fender and in between the tanks. My understanding is that silver was the only option for the police specials. While the blue paint I see is darker than peacock blue, my understanding is that azure blue was a special order in 49, but a standard color on 48, 50. There is very little information out there on custom color options.
I think this bike is early-mid production. The front fender was redesigned for late production ‘49s. The early fender was recalled in the same year as the non-riveted version was dislodging from stress cracks. HD offered a free replacement.
Early fork tins were also stamped without “Hydra-Glide”

 

Haha well I’ll say I paid what I felt was right given the condition. I could easily turn a profit on parts alone, but I’d feel terrible parting out a complete bike like this one even though she’s ROUGH

 

Soda blasting is always my go to… safer to work with too.
Technically it was a boat shed 😂