The 1940 Harley Knucklehead

The 1940 Harley Davidson 61 inch Overhead Valve Model, the "Knucklehead" as it would later be known, is a is a timeless motorcycle indeed. It is without question, the grandfather of the modern Harley Davidson motorcycles. The stylish lines are unmistakable. The sound of the motorcycle is distinct. The 1940 EL model would have a 74" counterpart added to the lineup in 1941. The 18 inch wheels would be replaced with the 16" on the civilian models. The Military 45" WLA twins would continue to sport the 18 inch wheels. They would add trim to the gas tanks, increase the rake on the frame to 29 degrees with the 16 inch wheels, a new speedometer style along with a few other changes.

Skinny strap fenders, the early style beehive taillamp, skinny clutch and primary cover, "white faced" (actually silver plated) 1938 to 1940 style 120 Mile Per hour speedometer, last year of the early style fishtail muffler, one year only cam cover, same on the Linkert carburetor, there were lots of little details about this motorcycle that made it so unique.

It's actually possible to recreate a motorcycle like this with replica parts getting most of the details correct. We can help. You can follow the link at the to our website for the American motorcycle parts needs. We have 1380 pages of on-line catalog for you to browse and also offer original parts.

Notice the 1940 to 1966 type "half moon" or oval footboards, J slot type air cleaner behind the stock Linkert Model 25 1940 carburetor, the timeless 1940 to 1946 type spoon style tank emblems, lots of parkerized flat black finished hardware and parts on the bike instead of chrome.

original Guide Lamp Cycle Ray 6 volt headlight, a 1936 to 1941 early "9 screw" Delco Remy model 16 horn, last year for the skinny primary chain cover, as well as the early rocker clutch pedal assembly.

A few more photos of this timeless, classic machine, built not long after Europe plunged into a world war which we would soon enough also join in. The factory which produced these motorcycles was already beginning to produce the early military WLA 45" flathead which would serve our G.I.'s on several continents and theatres of combat. That's another story for another time. Hope you have enjoyed the photos of a machine we still miss around here.

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Mas Classics - Vintage Amerian Motorcycle Parts sells original, used, aftermarket, reproduction and OEM Harley Davidson parts N.O.S. NOS parts for panhead, harley knucklehead, flathead UL, ULH, UH, Forty five, four five, 45", WLA, WL, Evo, Evolution, dresser models, VL, U model, 74" * 80" Big Twin Flathead models 1947 to 1948, JD, WR, WLDR, 45" solo flathead parts, XLH, XLCH Sportster models, shovelhead, electraglide, duoglide, hydraglide, K model, KH, KHK, Softail, Heritage Softail, FLH, FX, FXR, FLST, FXD, FXDWG, Lowrider, FLHT, TC-88, Twin cam, and caries also brands such as Tedd Cycle, V-Twin Mfg., Edelbrock, Sifton, Crane cams, Dyna coil & ignition, Andrews Products, S & S, Gary Bang, James gaskets, AEE shocks, BDL belt drives, Barnett clutch, Bendix, Delkron, CV Keihin, Alto clutch, GMA engineering, Hastings piston rings, I beam springers for VL models, JIMS, KB performance filters, Karata belt drive, Mikuni, Pan, Paughco, Progressive suspension, Manley valves, Champion, splitfire, accel, bosch, autolite, Sumax, Unilite, Prestolite, Hitachi, AGM batteries, GM restoration parts, Guide Lamp, Cycle Ray, Uni, Super E & G, Dellorto, porkster tanks, chopper tanks, king gas tanks, Invictor, Hustler saddles, national cycle, flatside shovelshead, RSD, Rivera engineering, Rowe valve guides, Russell brakes, STD S.T.D. crankcases, Tillotson carb parts, linkert, schebler deluxe, Torrington bearings, ST frame, Wiseco pistons, Wire plus chopper, Truett & Osborn, York belt drive, York drive train, Colony hardware, cycle shack, Timken, Kibblewhite, diamond chain, fat kid fenders, edart brakes, Primo belt drive, radii, mcm chrome, wyatt gatling, volt tech, vance & hines, v-thunder, Avon, Dunlop, Metzeler, Continental, and offer products like V-Twin customizer, chopper frames, wishbone, straight leg, rigid, swingarm, sporty parts, replica frame, pan frame, knuckle heads, other knuck parts, motor shop ready, dura rotor, scandinavian brake systems, 250 series and 300 series frames, crankcase sets, flywheel assembly, H-beam, fatster, rolling chassis, xlst frame, hardtail, Double D, mas harley, vintage harley parts, indian chief, indian scout, indian four, 441, harley original equipment parts for many models from 1903 to 2007 Harley Davidson & Indian Motocycle Co. We are not affiliated in any way with the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company of Milwaukee Wisconsin and use these models and / or registered trademarks of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company purely for reference purposes only and not intended as copyright infringement.

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