1937 harley davidson flathead

[alocispepraluger102]

1937 harley davidson knucklehead Edited April 21, 2012 by alocispepraluger102

[Dave James]

The two guys on American Pickers would shit in their Post Toasties if they came across one of these.

[alocispepraluger102]

.....and without all the gussying and preening.

[jazzbo]

I saw an absolutely beautiful '39 Knucklehead, fully restored to like new status, go for 23,000 at auction. Surprised me it was that low. People love those engines.

[Dave James]

I saw an absolutely beautiful '39 Knucklehead, fully restored to like new status, go for 23,000 at auction. Surprised me it was that low. People love those engines.

My understanding is that there's a general move away from restorations; that collectors are, at least for the time being, more interested in cycles and cars that are in their original condition. On the most recent installment of Chasing Classic Cars on Velocity TV, Wayne Carini bought a pre-1920's cycle from the Tom Hartung collection that looked every second of its age and came with a sidecar that was more like an upholstered easy chair. He paid $48,000 for the privilege. I couldn't believe it.

[jazzbo]

Yes, that is a trend. But there are still those who want to ride something that doesn't look as if it has a handful of decades of garage dung on it! The one I saw was offered at a car auction, not the best place to sell a bike, but a good place to buy one with less competition.

[Dave Garrett]

1937 harley davidson knucklehead

That's a flathead in those pics, not a knucklehead. Different engines. Here's a '41 knuck:

[alocispepraluger102]

thanks. now i remember. the owner told me that it was a flathead.

i was very surprised to learn that the owner had no special insurance on the bike, other than standard bike policies. when i asked if he donned the riding attire of the time for parades and shows, he said yes.

Edited April 21, 2012 by alocispepraluger102

[jazzbo]

From my brief tenure in the insurance biz last year I learned that to get anything other than liability insurance he would have to use one of the only (the only, Hagerty?) classic automotive insurers. And they can't be cheap. He may have priced it and decided it was more fiscally sound to put money in the bank towards possible repairs than to insure the bike for collision or comprehensive.

Most of the regular companies will reluctantly let you say the bike is worth "X" dollars and charge you for it, but there's no real guarantee they'll fork out expensive repair or replacement money. Their books say the bike is practically worth nothing.

Edited April 21, 2012 by jazzbo

[alocispepraluger102]

From my brief tenure in the insurance biz last year I learned that to get anything other than liability insurance he would have to use one of the only (the only, Hagerty?) classic automotive insurers. And they can't be cheap. He may have priced it and decided it was more fiscally sound to put money in the bank towards possible repairs than to insure the bike for collision or comprehensive.

Most of the regular companies will reluctantly let you say the bike is worth "X" dollars and charge you for it, but there's no real guarantee they'll fork out expensive repair or replacement money. Their books say the bike is practically worth nothing.

that's very useful advice. thanks. i've a 1983 daytona 25th anniversary firebird unrestored, which looks like it came off the showroom room floor and runs just as well.

insurance, and appraisals, are proving to be big hassles.

Edited April 21, 2012 by alocispepraluger102

[Jazzmoose]

1903 knucklehead...

[alocispepraluger102]

1903 knucklehead...

classic............