1937 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead

Engine no. 37EL1094

· Beautiful EL Knucklehead example

· Iconic Harley-Davidson Model

Previewing at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

The story of the debut of the legendary Knucklehead includes gunshots, friendly ones at least. During the 1935 Harley-Davidson Dealer's Convention an unnamed pistol-packing dealer, obviously impressed by the new offering from Milwaukee, fired the celebratory shots into the ceiling. He was looking at the motorcycle that would rescue The Motor Co. from the bleak days of the Great Depression, its new overhead-valve design also meeting the threat from long-time rival Indian. Here was a "musclebike"... 61 cubic inches pumping out 40 HPO...with looks to match that could open a whole new chapter in the story of the Milwaukee Marvel.

Leading into the 1936 model year at the Harley-Davidson factory, the new 61 OHV project was having teething issues and potentially could have been cancelled. What they were not aware of at the time was the new motorcycle was poised to reshape the motorcycle industry. Stylistically, the new design was modern and aggressive in appearance. While Indian was marketing some very gorgeous motorcycles thanks to their streamlined tanks and fenders, and DuPont paint color schemes, the Harley-Davidsons just looked right from a motorcyclist's point of view. Technologically, the Harley-Davidsons were ahead of everyone in the motorcycle industry, both in the United States and abroad. The new 61 OHV became a sensational sales success once in the riders' hands.

The success of the Harley-Davidson EL was largely due to being a completely fresh design from the ground up and not a rehash of old trusted machines from the past. It was not a sidevalve, nor an old F-head motor, but a brand new overhead valve configuration, for the modern times ahead. The engine utilized a single cam with 4 lobes that ran quieter, reduced backlash and allowed for better valve timing. The transmission was brand new with a 4-speed constant mesh cluster instead of sliding gears on a shaft as used by the "other American manufacturer", and worked through a new clutch design. The chassis was all new as well with strong double loop frame rails that were lighter and enabled the motorcycle to handle better. Up front the fork was now made from chrome molybdenum extruded tubing which looked better and was lighter than the former I-beam front forks. The oil tank now moved behind the engine, between the rear fender and the seat post, for a dry sump oiling system. The gas tanks were now welded instead of being soldered together which were prone to leaking. Atop the tanks set a novel and stylish instrument panel and speedometer, and idea ahead of the competitors. The same styling remains today on modern Harley-Davidson Big Twins.

In addition to being a winner in the looks and sales departments, the EL was also one of the best performing bikes of the day. In March 1937, Harley trumpeted Joe Petrali's new speed record clocked at Daytona Beach. At a speed of 136 miles per hour, the record bested even Indian's claim to top speed fame. The Knucklehead was on a roll, one that hasn't slowed even now as it's one of the most sought after Harleys.

This 1937 example, one of only 1829 produced that year, sports some tasteful personal touches including the hand-painted Harley-Davidson emblem on the gas tank rather than a decal, and a small fortune in additional chrome. What it's feel like to ride this bike...priceless.