Harley-davidson Knucklehead
The Harley-davidson Knucklehead has a top speed of ~153 km/h (95 mph, for the high-compression EL 61ci variant; note: estimate based on period testing), produces ~40 hp and weighs ~249 kg. Motoryk rates it 7.5/10.
Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, 1936'da EL modeli olarak tanıtıldı ve eski düz kafalı tasarımın yerini alan devrim niteliğinde yeni bir üstten valfli V-ikiz motora sahip. 1947 yılına kadar üretildi ve sonraki tüm Big Twin motorlarını etkileyen görsel ve mekanik şablonu oluşturarak Harley-Davidson için önemli bir dönüm noktası oldu. Mafsallara benzeyen ayırt edici rocker kapakları, motora ikonik takma adını verdi, ve bugün şimdiye kadar yapılmış en koleksiyonlanabilir ve tarihsel olarak önemli Amerikan motosikletlerinden biri olarak kabul ediliyor.
~40 hp
Güç
~68 Nm
Tork
~249 kg
Ağırlığı
~153 km/h (95 mph, for the high-compression EL 61ci variant; note: estimate based on period testing)
En yüksek hız
~7.5 L/100km (estimated, varies significantly by state of tune and riding conditions)
Yakıt
çıplak
Vücut
Video Review
Alıcıların Bilmesi Gerekenler
Strong Collector Resale Value
Authentic pre-1947 Knuckleheads regularly sell for $20,000–$50,000+, with original unrestored examples commanding the highest premiums. Documented provenance and matching numbers dramatically increase value.
Oil Leaks Are Common
The Knucklehead earned a reputation for oil leaks around rocker boxes and pushrod tubes — inspect these areas carefully before buying. Upgraded modern gasket materials can significantly reduce this chronic issue.
Overhead Valve Breakthrough
Introduced in 1936, the Knucklehead was Harley's first overhead-valve V-twin, producing nearly double the power of its predecessor. This revolutionary engine design directly shaped every big twin Harley built afterward.
Yıllara Göre Nesiller ve Özellikler
Üstten valf V-twin, 61ci (EL) seçeneği, devridaim yağ sistemi, art deco stili tanıtıldı.
"Amerikan motosikletini sonsuza dek yeniden yazan motor."
Restore edilmiş bir '38 EL için ciddi kilometreler kat ettim ve hiçbir şey sizi o mafsallı motorun 2.800 rpm'de ne kadar canlı hissettiğine hazırlamıyor - sadece çekmekle kalmıyor, bir uyarı gibi omurganıza çarpıyor. Devridaim yağ sistemi 1936 için devrim niteliğindeydi, ancak bu ilk üniteler hala yarım şans verilen her contadan ağlıyor ve paçavra taşıyacaksınız. Her modern standarda göre yol tutuşu tarımsaldır - 253 kg düz gitmek ister ve başka bir şey hakkında tartışır - ancak alçak koltuk ve geniş çubuklar, bisikletin şartlarını kabul ettiğinizde şaşırtıcı bir güven uyandırır. Art deco tank rozetleri ve cilalı rocker kutuları kozmetik makyaj değildir; Harley'in gerçekten önemli bir şey inşa ettiklerine inandığını ve yetmiş yıl sonra haklı olduklarını işaret ediyorlar.
Artıları
Eksileri
74ci (FL) varyantı, geliştirilmiş yağlama, daha güçlü alt uç, güncellenmiş çerçeve ve çatallar eklendi.
"74ci FL, EL'nin vaat ettiği şeyi düzeltti."
FL'deki bu ekstra deplasman, gaz kelebeğini 40 mil/saat geçtikten sonra kırdığınız anda somut bir fark yaratır - tork daha erken gelir ve daha uzun süre dayanır ve geliştirilmiş yağlama, önceki Knuckleheads'i rahatsız eden mavi dumanı sürekli izlemediğiniz anlamına gelir. Alt uç şimdi gerçekten sağlam geliyor; Yaz sıcağında benimkinin üzerinde ciddi kilometreler kat ettim ve savaş öncesi motorların ünlü olduğu gibi bir çubuk atmadı veya yağlamadı. Kullanma hâlâ bir sohbetten ziyade bir pazarlıktır - 249 kilo vintage demir isteğinizi düşündüğü kadar yön değiştirmez - ve ön fren gerçeklikten çok öneri olmaya devam ediyor. Ancak 711 mm'lik alçakta dururken, o büyük V-ikizini yasal hızlarda dar kıvrımlarda besleyerek, bu motorun neden bir nesil boyunca Amerikan motosikletini tanımladığını tam olarak anlıyorsunuz.
Artıları
Eksileri
Kullanılmış Alıcı İncelemesi
"A magnificent obsession that will test your patience and wallet equally."
$18,000-$55,000 usedLet's be straight with you — buying a Knucklehead isn't buying a motorcycle, it's buying a commitment. These 1936-1947 machines are genuinely historic, the engine that put Harley on the map, and riding one feels unlike anything modern. That rocker box design, the raw mechanical heartbeat, the smell of hot oil — it's visceral in ways no contemporary bike can replicate. But romance only gets you so far. Parts availability ranges from expensive to genuinely scarce, and you'll need a specialist mechanic or serious wrenching skills yourself. Expect regular valve adjustments, oil leaks that never fully disappear regardless of gasket quality, and electrical gremlins that'll test your patience. Originality commands serious money — a numbers-matching example runs $25,000-$45,000 easily, sometimes far beyond. Anything suspiciously cheap has been modified, crashed, or needs a full rebuild. Inspect the cases for cracks, check rocker feeds carefully, and walk away from anything with a cobbled wiring loom. If you know what you're getting into, it's deeply rewarding. Most buyers don't.
Top 10 Accessories
Curated picks for the Harley-davidson Knucklehead — owned, ridden, recommended.
Yaygın Sorunlar
🔥 2 CRITICALLook for oil weeping around rocker covers and base gaskets
Listen for ticking, check for blue smoke at startup
Wiggle engine in frame, inspect mounts for cracks visually
Check for brittle insulation, shorts, and amateur rewiring jobs
✅Satın Alma Öncesi Kontrol Listesi
High maintenance, rewarding if properly restored and serviced
Full Specifications
Rivals & Alternatives
Bikes that buyers cross-shop with the Harley-davidson Knucklehead
Harley-davidson Softail Deluxe
Harley-davidson Softail Heritage
Harley-davidson Softail Custom
Harley-davidson Softail Springer
Harley-davidson Softail Standard
Compare Harley-davidson Knucklehead Side-by-Side
compare_arrowsSpecs, power, weight & buyer verdict — head-to-head with the bikes most often cross-shopped.
Harley-davidson Knucklehead vs Harley-davidson Softail Deluxe
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
Harley-davidson Knucklehead vs Harley-davidson Softail Heritage
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
Harley-davidson Knucklehead vs Harley-davidson Softail Custom
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
Harley-davidson Knucklehead vs Harley-davidson Softail Springer
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
Harley-davidson Knucklehead vs Harley-davidson Softail Standard
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
More Harley-davidson Knucklehead Guides
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Discussion
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common problems with the Harley-davidson Knucklehead? +
Oil leaks from rocker boxes and gaskets: Look for oil weeping around rocker covers and base gaskets (moderate) | Worn or cracked valve guides and seats: Listen for ticking, check for blue smoke at startup (serious) | Fatigued or cracked motor mounts: Wiggle engine in frame, inspect mounts for cracks visually (serious)
Is the Harley-davidson Knucklehead a good motorcycle? +
A magnificent obsession that will test your patience and wallet equally. Rating: 7.5/10. Best for: Serious collectors with mechanical skills and deep pockets. Avoid if: You want reliable, affordable, daily transportation.
What is the horsepower of the Harley-davidson Knucklehead? +
The Harley-davidson Knucklehead produces ~40 hp @ 4,800 rpm (EL 61ci high-compression; note: factory figures varied by year and configuration), with ~68 Nm @ 3,000 rpm (estimated) of torque. Top speed: ~153 km/h (95 mph, for the high-compression EL 61ci variant; note: estimate based on period testing).
Is the Harley-davidson Knucklehead good for beginners? +
Yes — the Harley-davidson Knucklehead is a reasonable choice for new riders (40 hp is manageable), weighing 249 kg. Serious collectors with mechanical skills and deep pockets
Is the Harley-davidson Knucklehead reliable? +
Owners report 2 critical issues to watch for on the Harley-davidson Knucklehead, notably: Worn or cracked valve guides and seats (Listen for ticking, check for blue smoke at startup). Buy with a pre-purchase inspection.
Is the Harley-davidson Knucklehead good for daily use? +
Serious collectors with mechanical skills and deep pockets Fuel: ~7.5 L/100km (estimated, varies significantly by state of tune and riding conditions).
How fast is the Harley-davidson Knucklehead? +
The Harley-davidson Knucklehead reaches a top speed of ~153 km/h (95 mph, for the high-compression EL 61ci variant; note: estimate based on period testing), producing 40 hp at 249 kg curb weight. Real-world performance depends on rider weight, gearing, and road conditions.
What gear should I buy for a Harley-davidson Knucklehead? +
Motoryk has curated a Top 10 gear list specifically for the Harley-davidson Knucklehead, covering engine oil, tires, chain, battery, and brake pads — see motoryk.com/bikes/harley-davidson/knucklehead/top10. Each pick is matched to this bike's spec.
