Classic Harley Davidson Motorcycles Post Ww2

By Kerry A. Francis

When it comes to classic & vintage motorcycles among those who trade up and collect old Harley Davidsons many Harley enthusiasts look back to the years immediately following WW2 for restoration projects.

The biggest changes in Harley-Davidsons 1947 models were in actuality the price and pricing structures. The top of the of the line 74 OHV had held steady sticker pricing at $ 465 for 6 years (a pittance of a retail price by todays automotive costs and valuations). In context it must be said although it true in actuality very few such bikes had been produced from the years 1941- 45 for retail sale. The sticker price on the last of the Seventy-four Knuckleheads was a full $ 696 a full 33 % jump from the year before. Inflation it seems was soaring. Peacetime recreation by motorcycle enthusiasts it seemed was to be expensive.

A number of revisions were made for 1947 that distinguish the Knucklehead from its predecessors. Streamlining was back in the form of new fuel tank nameplates which came to be known as speed ball badges. Stainless steel fender trim returned to production as did the front fender lamp. A larger tail light which was which earned the nickname Tombstone design incorporated the license plate bracket.

The fuel tank was redesigned to incorporate a new instrument panel, and the speedometer face featured a two-tone black and white background with italicized silver numerals and a red pointer. The separate generator and oil lights were consolidated in small rectangle housing with a single lens situated in the center of the tank.

The Deluxe Buddy Seat had been deleted during the war years and returned to civilian duty in 1946. The 1947 version was offered in black cowhide featuring a plastic skirt with a chromed star on each side.

Four color option schemes were again offered in 1947: skyway blue, cruiser green, flight red and lastly brilliant black. Nearly a total of 12,000 Knuckleheads were produced for the model year, fully over half Milwaukees total production. In its twelve year run the Knuckle had earned a loyal following and remains in the Harley lineage as the original American superbike.

Yet the war had its varied impacts on even Harley motorcycle designs. Harley Davidson was the only U.S. motorcycle manufacturer in a strong position before and after the World War II. Among the most tangible spoils of victory was the acquisition of Germanys DKW manufacturing rights of which Milwaukee shared with BSA of Britain. Thus the instant lightweight bike was added to the full Harley Davidson stable.

DKW (Dampf Kraft Wagen) had built some racing motorcycles but its proletarian 125 was simply an economical utility transportation machine. True they served well in Europe with Europeans need for transport, congestion and limited financial resources for fuel yet, at least as upper management in Milwaukee saw it Americans wanted real bikes. Yet it was the auto market itself that got its way. Thousands and thousands of youngsters needed something both to learn on, and start their magical ride of motorcycle riding and ownership. So while what started as a simple scale 125 S and later evolve into a multi-purpose machine tagged as the Hummer and expand into 165 cc and 175 cc off-road variants, the lighter bikes served not so much as sales leaders in the field, but rather as a lower cost and easier to ride entry level for budding Harley enthusiasts and introduce them to the magic of the road.

The S model itself turned out to be a very good (and inexpensive) investment in Harley Davidsons future. It enticed a good number of young folks into the exhilarating sport of motorcycling. And, with almost perfect timing it taught them how to clutch with the hand and shift with the foot.

Hence it can be said that Harley Davidsons post war models were a lot of the old tried and true mixed in with newer concept and models to lay the groundwork for the classic and respected Harley Davidson lineage.

About the Author: Kerry A. Francis

Camrose Used Truck DealersAuto Sales Vancouver BCWpg Auto

William Simpson Over 50 years

experience in the automotive sales industry

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