Riding this bike is the same as Kirk Hammett touring with Greeny. So glad these old pieces are being used and not stored away somewhere. Kudos Sean for sharing this history with us.
My Dad and I looked at that bike in Anamosa. He’s passed away now. Seeing you ride it makes me happy with just a tiny bit of sadness. Emotions getting me.
My grandmother and great aunt had 2 of them back in the 40s ,my grandfather and my great uncle had Indians and they all rode together and in a riding club.. They're all gone now except my grandmothers bike which I still have and ride once or twice a year and on her birthday....
@@rustypotatos Voice Text..I must have put emphasis on the words...either way are you going to be ok ? Life Gets Harder then how People text...brace yourself triggered lil hermit
I have a 73 sportster iron head 1000cc with the right side shift. I also have all the original parts for it. Bought it from my uncle 12 years ago and he had that thing forever. I wanted it since I was a kid and he finally sold it to me cheap. Turns heads and I get a lot of offers on it.
Given the way the horn works, it probably does lose power seeing that it essentially shorts out when it doesn't honk. I paid 700 bucks for my 37 WL back in the late seventies, sold it for about the same in the early eighties, I deployed overseas and never got paid. I sold five or six bikes that year to clear my parent's basement so they could sell their house. Tell you what, if you've got a nice shiny old bike no one wants, I'd be happy to buy it off of you. Thanks for showcasing "my favorite bike", been after a knuckle since I was a kid, never ran across one I could afford. I think you're right, another century and it will still be fine. That looks and sounds exactly like it should.
Boy what I’d give for a bike like that! Back in 79 I enlisted in the navy at 16 and ran into a guy who had this exact year Harley, we were in negotiations to buy it from him but he insisted I wait until I was 18 and got my license, before that happened he was transferred and I lost my opportunity. Life and family got in the way after that and I will forever pine over not getting that bike. The 37 knuckle was, is and always will be my absolute favorite bike of all time. Glad to see you out enjoying her! Take her for a spin for me please as I doubt I’ll ever be able to afford one. God bless and stay safe out there!😊
appreciate all of you videos..being an American and living in france it's alll refreshing...just wanted to thank you the most for bringing me back to believing...it´s not as difficult as many think..
very nice, i was surprised how much smaller and lighter these are compared to my 1980 flh. i have always wanted to try a foot clutch to see if i could do it. it's nice to see the thing out on the road rather than it sitting in a museum or some rich guy's collection. you really have something nice there.
I'm early, just got my first bike at 23. I got to ride one time and now I got it torn apart going over everything. It's been a trip, but it's pretty cool getting to learn the ins and outs of my bike.
I would like to send you guys big thanks from cold Skandinavia. At least this way we can dream of next short summer... I love your videos and how you explain things. And you are a big reason why i got my Yamaha wildstar. Those arent too common here, so i watched all your videos and decided to get one. Greetings from Finland.
Very. Cool video. I watch ur stuffs as much as I can .I had a 45 flat head back my young years. There were so many. Around. Back then but we dum.and full of u know what. U guys r. Awesome.
👍 One of your best videos in a while. I like that you respect and admire what this bike represents without having to add unnecessary drama. I enjoyed your humble description, if you don't know all the answers, it's OK you will learn.
Old bikes are so much more fun and satisfying than new bikes...i have a 59 pan and a 38 flathead 80...not what youd call efficient or fast...or economical but you would call them fun
Hey Sean, Could you please do a review on a MT-01? I'm looking for a new bike (either a naked or a sport) but at 6'5 that isn't always easy. Kind regards, Dirk
Just throwing this out there. Totally off subject. I know you love gl1800. There's one in mudlow Oklahoma on Craig's list with 294,000 miles. You need to get it and do a video of it. It looks like it's barely used. Do it! Can't wait.
I know a guy with a mid 40s one. Rode it from IL to Cali and back. He’s rebuilding a electraglide currently. What’s funny is when u look at the engine internals and shit it all is really recognizable.. It’s the same as now or very close.. relatively speaking. Bro the valves are HUGE LOL
They mostly leak oil from the rear of the tin primary because theres a hole that was supposed to be used to oil the chain thru a small tube but oil doesn't fliw uphil so most of those primarys dont have the tube just the hole. So when you stand the bike back up some of the oil that had collected in the primary would leak out and leave a trail down the road for a bit
That’s amazing. As someone who sees Harley ownership as a mental disorder, this bike is INCREDIBLE. I love old American history. Back when vehicles were designed by men who loved machines, not pencil pushers drinking lattes and seeing how much money they can save by outsourcing.
Awesome ! In the 80's I worked at a CNC prototype shop in Milwaukee. Harley hired us to build replacement parts for their old bikes using the original blueprints since they ran out of parts and had no way to reproduce them themselves anymore. I remember them saying they had no idea people would be riding those biles this long. Each part was very expensive to hand remake.
Interesting comment about 1980 prices. I bought a 46 EL bobber for $2300. Kept it for a couple of years, sent it along for $3500. I thought I was doing pretty good. We don't know what we don't know 😊
@@browngreen933 Thanks. Yeah I doubt it does go down with out a fight 😋 It just seemed like the clutch was operated either on or off. Shoulda known better 🙄
They leak because there's an automatic front chain oiler that drains out a spigot on the bottom of the primary cover. It's NOT a flaw of pre-war bikes. They were made that way.
This Harley Davidson Knucklehead is pretty sweet! I imagine it would be a little bit of a learning curve to ride. Can’t imagine them racing these which is crazy!
Hi Sean. UK viewer here. Regarding the foot clutch. I had a 45WLA about 45 years ago. The foot clutch didn't lock in the disengaged position on mine. You always had to get your right foot down at junctions and keep your left foot on the clutch, it certainly made life interesting 😯. Parking up once, my left foot slipped off the clutch, I lost my balance and was dragged across a parking lot until I finally hit a wall and stopped in a crumpled mess. I tried to make some attempt at coolness afterwards and, obviously, failed miserably! 😂😂 Happy days!!
Either yours wasn't adjusted right or somebody changed it to a racing clutch. All 45 WLA solo machines came with factory clutches that "locked" into place.
@@browngreen933 I think it was assembled badly by the previous owner. I could see there should have been friction plates to dampen it's movement and, as you say, lock it into place. The spring mechanism was there, but just engaged the clutch as soon as you lifted your heel. When I got the 45 (I swapped it for a Triumph chop I'd built) it was rattling badly. I found a couple of the cam followers were in wrong and the wheels were hitting the cams sideways on!! I'd never worked on a Harley and even I, as a 19 year old, worked out some ape had had there paws all over it previously. I put new cams and followers in ( they came wrapped in wartime greased paper from Warrs in London) and sorted that problem. The clutch pedal was on the agenda but I lived with it as it was my only form of transport. These days my Streetbob has one of those new fangled hand clutches on it, which I find easier to use.
@@themotorider1 I did the same thing with my first HD foot clutch. Took it apart and reassembled it wrong so that it failed to work properly. Live and learn. I too had old GI 45 parts wrapped in paper. They are still floating around swap meets, etc.
I’ve always wanted one of these, but I just couldn’t justify spending more than a few thousand on an old bike regardless. Their price these days is insane, but I guess it makes sense. The rarity and age just doesn’t interest me as much as the nostalgia and quirk.
Knucklehead ("61 OHV") wasn't the first production American overhead-head valve motorcycle. In the teens there was Royal Pioneer, Waverley, PEM, Jefferson, Breed, Pope, Cyclone and probably others. Even Harley-Davidson sold a 21 OHV single cylinder model in the 1920s. Not to mention Indian and HD racing OHVs. 😂
4:19 - Correction, Blimps still exist today and in some places are quite common. Goodyear Blimp ring any bells? What the Hindenburg was, is called a Zeppelin. And that is what we do not see anymore. Blimps we still see.
Riding this bike is the same as Kirk Hammett touring with Greeny. So glad these old pieces are being used and not stored away somewhere. Kudos Sean for sharing this history with us.
Thats a perfect analogy
Like Riding the Lightening!
Thats a right on point analogy!!!🤘🤘🤘
I love the old axes but Marty wipes his ass with Kirk.
My Dad and I looked at that bike in Anamosa. He’s passed away now. Seeing you ride it makes me happy with just a tiny bit of sadness. Emotions getting me.
sorry to hear that about your dad
My grandmother and great aunt had 2 of them back in the 40s ,my grandfather and my great uncle had Indians and they all rode together and in a riding club.. They're all gone now except my grandmothers bike which I still have and ride once or twice a year and on her birthday....
That’s awesome!
Always In Awe of These Pieces of History Rolling Down The Road
Why Do You Type Like tHiS?
@@rustypotatos Voice Text..I must have put emphasis on the words...either way are you going to be ok ? Life Gets Harder then how People text...brace yourself triggered lil hermit
I’m really glad you’re doing videos again. I love the history of that old Harley and that you ride it. That’s what it was made for!
Loved your shirt , everybody needs a Craig, your right a great friend and co worker
The best
This bike is so much cooler than any modern Harley.
And like my grandfather used to say, back then things were built to last unlike today, things are built to sell.
I have a 73 sportster iron head 1000cc with the right side shift. I also have all the original parts for it. Bought it from my uncle 12 years ago and he had that thing forever. I wanted it since I was a kid and he finally sold it to me cheap. Turns heads and I get a lot of offers on it.
Given the way the horn works, it probably does lose power seeing that it essentially shorts out when it doesn't honk. I paid 700 bucks for my 37 WL back in the late seventies, sold it for about the same in the early eighties, I deployed overseas and never got paid. I sold five or six bikes that year to clear my parent's basement so they could sell their house. Tell you what, if you've got a nice shiny old bike no one wants, I'd be happy to buy it off of you. Thanks for showcasing "my favorite bike", been after a knuckle since I was a kid, never ran across one I could afford. I think you're right, another century and it will still be fine. That looks and sounds exactly like it should.
Great bike! I own and restored my 37 EL . By far my favorite year of the knuckles.
Boy what I’d give for a bike like that! Back in 79 I enlisted in the navy at 16 and ran into a guy who had this exact year Harley, we were in negotiations to buy it from him but he insisted I wait until I was 18 and got my license, before that happened he was transferred and I lost my opportunity. Life and family got in the way after that and I will forever pine over not getting that bike. The 37 knuckle was, is and always will be my absolute favorite bike of all time. Glad to see you out enjoying her! Take her for a spin for me please as I doubt I’ll ever be able to afford one. God bless and stay safe out there!😊
Always a good day when srkcycles pops up on my sub page!
They are really awsome motorcycles. I love the panheads.
Two things that I love about this video!!
1.) The fact that you’re riding this timeless bike
2.) That you’re sharing scripture
God Bless ✝️
appreciate all of you videos..being an American and living in france it's alll refreshing...just wanted to thank you the most for bringing me back to believing...it´s not as difficult as many think..
I just picked up a 1938 WLDR today. Can’t wait to start getting it going. Found it in a museum too lol.
very nice, i was surprised how much smaller and lighter these are compared to my 1980 flh. i have always wanted to try a foot clutch to see if i could do it. it's nice to see the thing out on the road rather than it sitting in a museum or some rich guy's collection. you really have something nice there.
Good to see a little bit of Tennessee riding with Sean. I bet you don’t miss PA that much
You got that right!
Such a great bike. You can't beat a good ol' Knuck. She sounds great, too.
Proper bike. Love the bars, the seat. 5:36 Looks good from the front.
I’m glad you make videos of this bike & that you ride it.
I'm early, just got my first bike at 23. I got to ride one time and now I got it torn apart going over everything. It's been a trip, but it's pretty cool getting to learn the ins and outs of my bike.
Jason Momoas new series On the Roam has 5 original 36’s that he amassed , it’s incredible to see these together.
I had the best time of my life rebuilding this exact same bike with my grandfather when I was teen. Memories that last forever.
I love the sound you dont need ear plugs like the other junk pipes
This may be my new favorite motorcycle video!! Just riding around on a 1937 Knucklehead…..
When I look for reviews I come to srkcycles sound notes good honest reviews in depth 0-60 everything I'm looking for in reviews
legendary for sure. crazy these things still run and drive if ya know what your doing. Great stuff
I would like to send you guys big thanks from cold Skandinavia. At least this way we can dream of next short summer... I love your videos and how you explain things. And you are a big reason why i got my Yamaha wildstar. Those arent too common here, so i watched all your videos and decided to get one. Greetings from Finland.
My first motorcycle ride was as a passenger on a pre-WWII Knuckle. That was back in 1963.
Something about those old Harley's that look so right.
Love the the sweatshirt by the way.
You've got a wonderful slice of history there. You've gotten really good at riding that thing. Thanks for sharing this beauty again...
Really enjoyed it. Shaun is still the best motorcycle youtuber.
You are Totally Right my Friend, this Bike belongs to the Road ,not a Museum ....
Beautiful bike!
Could you please do a video on the best beginner supermotos?
Purely in love. Great video. Great bike. Great history.
Very. Cool video. I watch ur stuffs as much as I can .I had a 45 flat head back my young years. There were so many. Around. Back then but we dum.and full of u know what. U guys r. Awesome.
It sounds so good and looks like it rides so well
👍 One of your best videos in a while.
I like that you respect and admire what this bike represents without having to add unnecessary drama.
I enjoyed your humble description, if you don't know all the answers, it's OK you will learn.
Old bikes are so much more fun and satisfying than new bikes...i have a 59 pan and a 38 flathead 80...not what youd call efficient or fast...or economical but you would call them fun
Sounds like it runs pretty well. Greetings from Scranton!
Absolutely love these. So much character. Harley would be wise to replicate these with modern technology ❤
Great nostalgia Sean ..love the video 📸 what an exciting adventure.
My 1933 and 1941 Harleys both shifted into 1st gear easier than my 48 Indian Chief. I just got done restoring a 46 Chief. (02-20-24)
Hey Sean , when do you plan on opening srk cycles again would love to get a bike from you guys
Love the saying "if its leaking oil, means its got oil"
"If it ain't leakin ...it's empty"
Hey Sean,
Could you please do a review on a MT-01? I'm looking for a new bike (either a naked or a sport) but at 6'5 that isn't always easy.
Kind regards,
Dirk
I Love That Harley
Awesome video. Thanks for sharing all the facts and info on it
Great Video , thanks for motivating me to get working on my Panhead . You have a fine looking and Running Knucklehead there ! Thanks for sharing .
4:35 oh my gosh holy sheeeeeet
Amazing old Harley.
Just throwing this out there. Totally off subject. I know you love gl1800. There's one in mudlow Oklahoma on Craig's list with 294,000 miles. You need to get it and do a video of it. It looks like it's barely used. Do it! Can't wait.
Wow ! That lovely old thing moves !
The older bikes are much nicer looking than the modern bikes 😎🤘👍
Imagine what piece of a machine this was back in the time when it was new
I know a guy with a mid 40s one.
Rode it from IL to Cali and back.
He’s rebuilding a electraglide currently.
What’s funny is when u look at the engine internals and shit it all is really recognizable..
It’s the same as now or very close.. relatively speaking.
Bro the valves are HUGE LOL
That looks to be a nice part of your country to be riding in and a nice day for it ✌️🏴
I’m not a bike guy but damn is that a bike that looks flawless.
Man that bike sounds incredible, keep her in running order forever
They mostly leak oil from the rear of the tin primary because theres a hole that was supposed to be used to oil the chain thru a small tube but oil doesn't fliw uphil so most of those primarys dont have the tube just the hole. So when you stand the bike back up some of the oil that had collected in the primary would leak out and leave a trail down the road for a bit
That’s amazing. As someone who sees Harley ownership as a mental disorder, this bike is INCREDIBLE. I love old American history. Back when vehicles were designed by men who loved machines, not pencil pushers drinking lattes and seeing how much money they can save by outsourcing.
Yes, this is a real Harley that the modern mystique is built on.
Dearest Bro Shawn,,,Those BAGS didn't loose anything.. whadda BIKE wooooooow!!!
Gotta love the knuckles
Would love to see you on the road sometime.
If I could pick only one bike on the face of the earth it would be a 1930s knucklehead.
Which 1930s Knucklehead tank paint scheme do you like best?
Awesome ! In the 80's I worked at a CNC prototype shop in Milwaukee. Harley hired us to build replacement parts for their old bikes using the original blueprints since they ran out of parts and had no way to reproduce them themselves anymore. I remember them saying they had no idea people would be riding those biles this long. Each part was very expensive to hand remake.
We're those parts for general sale or for bikes in the factory museum collection?
@@browngreen933 they were sold to customers by HD as oem replacement parts.
@@BigRiverJohn OK, thanks!
Have you ever had a ULH 80 inch side valve ?
That bike really runs smooth for an 87-year-old! It sounds brand new! They don't build anything that would last nearly this long!
Interesting comment about 1980 prices. I bought a 46 EL bobber for $2300. Kept it for a couple of years, sent it along for $3500. I thought I was doing pretty good. We don't know what we don't know 😊
Amazing to think that it's possible someone took one of these to the limit one day in the past and is still smiling about it today.
My dream bike right here
Bro please do a review of the Honda forza 750 scooter crossover
what a beauty man.
Hate to correct you but..."It's Not Where You're Going, It's How You Got There". Great bike glad to still see it on the road.
Haha did you just correct me on my own catch phrase ? The phrase that I ve been closing all my videos with since this channel started ? Haha
Hello friend, I was looking at your old video on the r3, I was wondering what your height in centimeters is? I'm thinking of getting one.
Cool post 👍
It seems like that clutch is either on or off. If that's the case, how do you start from a stop without stalling 🤔
The clutch gradually engages as you rock your toe forward. They don't kill very easy.
@@browngreen933 Thanks. Yeah I doubt it does go down with out a fight 😋
It just seemed like the clutch was operated either on or off. Shoulda known better 🙄
love the hoodie!!! everyone needs a craig!
Do you need to double clutch when downshifting?
i love that Jumper that you're wearing! ;-)
They leak because there's an automatic front chain oiler that drains out a spigot on the bottom of the primary cover. It's NOT a flaw of pre-war bikes. They were made that way.
Is it just me or are the bars not centered?
This Harley Davidson Knucklehead is pretty sweet! I imagine it would be a little bit of a learning curve to ride. Can’t imagine them racing these which is crazy!
Love the video sean❤❤❤
Perfection. What biker wouldn’t want to own or take it out for an hour…. Stunning machine. Fair play Man.
What happened to the WLDR WLA
Very cool bike, great video!
Been looking for that sweet bike on port royal!! So cool man.
“A couple years ago in the 80’s” -Sean 😅
I am with you. Anything I own I know some history. A friend has a BMW. He thought it was a Japanese vehicle
Great motorcycle video 📷😊😎🆒
Hi Sean. UK viewer here.
Regarding the foot clutch. I had a 45WLA about 45 years ago. The foot clutch didn't lock in the disengaged position on mine. You always had to get your right foot down at junctions and keep your left foot on the clutch, it certainly made life interesting 😯.
Parking up once, my left foot slipped off the clutch, I lost my balance and was dragged across a parking lot until I finally hit a wall and stopped in a crumpled mess. I tried to make some attempt at coolness afterwards and, obviously, failed miserably! 😂😂 Happy days!!
Would that be the suicide clutch?
@@johnjubie7144 Yes, that's what they were known as. Can't think why. 🤣
Either yours wasn't adjusted right or somebody changed it to a racing clutch. All 45 WLA solo machines came with factory clutches that "locked" into place.
@@browngreen933 I think it was assembled badly by the previous owner. I could see there should have been friction plates to dampen it's movement and, as you say, lock it into place. The spring mechanism was there, but just engaged the clutch as soon as you lifted your heel. When I got the 45 (I swapped it for a Triumph chop I'd built) it was rattling badly. I found a couple of the cam followers were in wrong and the wheels were hitting the cams sideways on!! I'd never worked on a Harley and even I, as a 19 year old, worked out some ape had had there paws all over it previously. I put new cams and followers in ( they came wrapped in wartime greased paper from Warrs in London) and sorted that problem. The clutch pedal was on the agenda but I lived with it as it was my only form of transport.
These days my Streetbob has one of those new fangled hand clutches on it, which I find easier to use.
@@themotorider1 I did the same thing with my first HD foot clutch. Took it apart and reassembled it wrong so that it failed to work properly. Live and learn. I too had old GI 45 parts wrapped in paper. They are still floating around swap meets, etc.
I’ve always wanted one of these, but I just couldn’t justify spending more than a few thousand on an old bike regardless. Their price these days is insane, but I guess it makes sense. The rarity and age just doesn’t interest me as much as the nostalgia and quirk.
So cool
Ok Sean, where are the "EVERYBODY NEEDS A CRAIG" hoodies and shirts for sale at? I need one.
thye should be on the bearded mechanic website thebeardedmechanic.shop/
@@Srkcycles THANKS! I found them a few minutes ago!
Haha
When I grew up on the old Harleys, we called those teeter totter clutches
Never heard that. Excellent name!
Knucklehead ("61 OHV") wasn't the first production American overhead-head valve motorcycle. In the teens there was Royal Pioneer, Waverley, PEM, Jefferson, Breed, Pope, Cyclone and probably others. Even Harley-Davidson sold a 21 OHV single cylinder model in the 1920s. Not to mention Indian and HD racing OHVs. 😂
It's good to see you reading the words of God in your videos.
4:19 - Correction, Blimps still exist today and in some places are quite common. Goodyear Blimp ring any bells? What the Hindenburg was, is called a Zeppelin. And that is what we do not see anymore. Blimps we still see.