Wartime 1944 Harley-Davidson FL Sold at Auction
A 1944 Harley-Davidson FL is an ultra-rare collectible. Only 172 were made and one of them was just sold for more than you could probably sell your house.
A Bike Fit of America
Imagine swinging a leg over this baby. This bike looks like something the Cap himself would take on his way to punch ol' Adolf right in the jaw. The bike alone looks incredible, but man does that paintwork really stand out. It's simple, clean, and uncommon. This FL surely looks worth a million and fits right in with the military aura of the decade.
Photos: Mecum
WWII-Era Bikes Come At a Premium
WWII automobiles fetch premium prices. That's no secret. Obviously, with production halts, such items are incredibly rare. So some had the wherewithal to grab those suckers and preserve them. Thankfully, a friend kept this little beaut alive for us to admire over eight decades later. That's 82 years for those of us bad with math and history skills.
Photos: Mecum
>>Join the conversation about this classic FL Knucklehead right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
1 of 172!
With those production halts, Harley managed to produce just 172 FLs in '44. You may not be aware, but um... that's not a lot. Having 1 of 172 anything instantly thickens your wallet. Even if it's just a special edition Pop-Tart flavor. It's sad to think that less than 200 of these were made and even fewer are still around today. This bike is so rare it would be mooing if it were a steak.
Photos: Mecum
>>Join the conversation about this classic FL Knucklehead right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Setting Records at the Auction
This '44 FL made its way to the Vintage Motorcycles Northwest’s collection, where it was meticulously restored in 1989. Fast forward some time later and Auto Evolution reports this classic slice of Americana turned some heads at the Mecum Las Vegas auction. It only sold for $143,000... (Insert sarcasm here) Considering it left the showroom for $456 (6,952 inflated bucks) that's quite the appreciation in value. And it's possibly worth more than your home.
Photos: Mecum
>>Join the conversation about this classic FL Knucklehead right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
1944 H-D FL Specs
Under the tank lies a fully-restored 74cu in Harley Knucklehead mated to a four-speed tranny. Serial number: 44FL1332 The air-cooled pushrod v-twin sported a respectable-for-the-time 53 hp @ 6000 rpm.
Photos: Mecum
>>Join the conversation about this classic FL Knucklehead right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Making History
This FL was a showstopper in Vegas notching the 9th all-time spot on the list of highest motorcycle auction prices in Mecum Las Vegas. It's not the only FL on the list either. Two others, a '46 and '47 went for $220,000 and $192,500. That's over half a million for 3 Harleys! Just 3.
Photos: Mecum
>>Join the conversation about this classic FL Knucklehead right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
The FL Legacy
The FL was integral in helping Harley-Davidson maintain its position atop the landscape of American motorcycle manufacturers. The FL is a classic piece that will live on forever and its war-time heritage will only continue to drive prices further and further up the charts as time goes on.
Photos: Mecum
>>Join the conversation about this classic FL Knucklehead right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
For help with your Harley maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.
