Antique JEWEL

Paul and Elvi’s dream purchase …

- Craig Pattison

So it was 1941, Pearl Harbour is attacked by the Japanese, the German battleship Bismarck is sunk, Aussie larrikin (and World Series Cricket mastermind) John ‘Strop’ Cornell is born, and this Knucklehead rolled off the Milwaukee production line.

It was a revolutionary moment for Harley- Davidson, as it was for the motorcycling industry in general, when in 1936 they released an all-new V-twin powered EL model. The new 60ci (1000cc) V-twin had two overhead valves per cylinder and was the latest in high-performance engines, effectively superseding the side-valve engine configuration.

Originally, this new engine was to be referred to as the “OHV”, however, it is now widely known – and revered – as the Knucklehead.

The Knuck evolved every year it was produced. Most notably, in 1941, it grew in size to 74ci (1200cc), which is what powers the lovingly restored 1941 FL Knucklehead you see gracing these pages.