Vintage Harley Picker

                          A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

1942 Harley Davidson FL (Knucklehead)

                                               On the hunt for Harley parts

I was going through my phone last week and came across an old phone number I had saved. The contact read, "Scooter Knucklehead." Things had been drying up a little with regard to leads on knuckle parts for the 38 knuck project. I decided to dig in and reach out to some old contacts. It turned out to be very rewarding. Check out this insane stash we found.


 

INDIAN CHIEF
I believe this one to be between 50-53
Produced from 1922-1953

 

INDIAN SCOUT
Produced between 1920-1949
Year unknown

 

I had saved Scooter's number to my contacts over a year ago after finding him online. I may have spoken with him once but never actually went out to meet with him nor see his rare collection of vintage American motorcycles and seemingly infinite inventory of Knucklehead/ Panhead parts.

 

Okay so I'm exaggerating a little but once you look through some of the pictures you'll see what I mean. I spoke with him a few times and each time I was left thinking, is this guy for real? He told me he had three buildings and a couple trailers filled with bikes and parts.

 

I had to see it for myself. It's one of the stories you only read about or watch Mike Wolf on American Pickers find and then buy up with his endless bankroll.  I played phone tag with Scooter for about a week and then finally we were able to make it work and here's what we found...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier in the week while talking with Scooter he described himself as a hippy bike collector, who by no means considers himself an expert on vintage motorcycles but instead very much infatuated by them and their mystique.

Departing the urban highways of Chicago the scenery would change to the county roads of rural Illinois. I finally make it to his place nestled in a little farm community. The kind where the occasional dilapidating barn and abandoned farm relics are to be expected and seen littering the land for each pea gravel thoroughfare you turn down.

 

 

Based on his self portrait he illustrated in conversation over the phone, I thought I would be meeting a guy with a ponytail and Grateful they're dead tie dye shirt with Birkenstock sandals. Scooter was normal enough by his appearance and what I expected in his nature. That being said; a very cool guy.

 

He first introduced himself then invited me into his garage which was a true man's den as you 'll probably catch if you look closely in the peripheral of a few of the shots. Walking through the door you immediately see a black and white 1942 Harley Davidson FL Knucklehead previously owned by "the King of Hollywood"Clark Gable. The bike is in perfect condition; more than worthy for display at the Harley Museum.

 

The jerk that I am, I started looking over the bike and forgot that Scooter's was still talking. I can't help it as I looked around the place it's stacked with old school vintage Harleys and Indians alike. Meanwhile Scooter is lacing one story into the next and my A.D.D is in full effect. I keep looking over each bike analyzing every detail from vin bosses to nickel plated leaf springer frontends. 

 

 

 

 

 

1955-1956 HARLEY DAVIDSON FL (Panhead)

 

 

I then ask him if he was still willing to show me some of his parts inventory. He obliged. This is the fun part, sweetheart. Throughout day I am shown two buildings and one trailer stocked exclusively with knuckle and pan parts. I was mainly looking for a complete crank for 61 inch knuck. At the back of the first building is literally a pile of flywheels. I picked the nicest looking one; it's casting numbers were confirmed and bingo the first and only deal of the day was made.

 

The famous line for the rest of my stay at Scooters ranch would be, "I may need that for a project, I cant sell that right now." Can't blame the guy; I have the same disease. I'll probably never be able to part with these antiquated machines either.

 

 

 

1942 Harley Davidson EL (Knucklehead)

If you zoom in on the dash you will see the remains of a mouse lovingly named "ED".
ED was found in the saddle bag of this 42 Knuck when rescued from the barn years back by Scooter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clark Gable circa 1942... before he died.

 

 

 

 

Original paint Harley tins... well not all of em but still rare stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flywheel casting numbers and sizes for Flatheads and Knucklheads.
Bruce Palmer volume III

 

 

Panheads

 

 

Knuckleheads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flatty

 

 

 



Late 40's WLA (Flathead)