Harley-Davidson 61ci EL Knucklehead 1940s stunt show press photo motorcycle

Description

A superb and rare photo of the powerful
Harley-Davidson 61 c.i. EL Knucklehead
Big Twin model.
In 1936 H-D introduced the 61 c.i. (1,000cc) OHV Knucklehead model series. Its massive V-twin overhead valve HD engine performed remarkably well.
Together with the new Knucklehead a new, more modern styling was introduced on the big
Harley
models. The
Harley-Davidson
Knucklehead
engine was named after the distinct shape of the rocker boxes. The V-twin engine featured two valves per cylinder which were operated by pushrods. It was the third type of V-Twin engine used by Harley-Davidson, replacing the Flathead engine in 1936 (which had replaced the F-head or IOE engine on big twins in 1930). The engine was manufactured until 1947 and was replaced by the Panhead engine in 1948. As the design of Harley-Davidson engines has evolved through the years, the distinctive shape of the valve covers has allowed
Harley
enthusiasts to classify an engine simply by looking at the shape of the cover. A knucklehead engine has round knobs on the cover resembling knuckles that give the knucklehead its name.
Harley-Davidson
has a long and very interesting history that started as early as in 1901. That year,
William
S.
Harley
, age 21, drew up plans for a small engine with a displacement of 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) and four-inch (
102 mm
) flywheels. The engine was designed for use in a regular pedal-bicycle frame. Over the next two years
Harley
and his childhood friend
Arthur
Davidson
labored on their motor-bicycle using the northside
Milwaukee
machine shop at the home of their friend,
Henry
Melk
. It was finished in 1903 with the help of
Arthur
's brother,
Walter
Davidson
. Upon completion the boys found their power-cycle unable to conquer
Milwaukee
's modest hills without pedal assistance. Will
Harley
and the
Davidsons
quickly wrote off their first motor-bicycle as a valuable learning experiment. Work immediately began on a new and improved second-generation machine. This first "real" Harley-Davidson motorcycle had a bigger engine of 24.74 cubic inches (405 cc) with 9.75 inches (
25 cm
) flywheels weighing
28 lb
(
13 kg
). The machine's advanced loop-frame pattern was similar to the 1903 Milwaukee Merkel motorcycle (designed by
Joseph
Merkel
, later of Flying Merkel fame). The bigger engine and loop-frame design took it out of the motorized-bicycle category and would help define what a modern motorcycle should contain in the years to come. The boys also received help with their bigger engine from outboard motor pioneer Ole Evinrude, who was then building gas engines of his own design for automotive use on
Milwaukee
's
Lake Street
. The prototype of the new loop-frame Harley-Davidson was assembled in a 10 ft × 15 ft (3.0 m × 4.6 m) shed in the
Davidson
family backyard. Most of the major parts, however, were made elsewhere, including some probably fabricated at the
West Milwaukee
railshops where oldest brother
William
A.
Davidson
was then toolroom foreman. This prototype machine was functional by September 8, 1904, when it competed in a
Milwaukee
motorcycle race held at
State
Fair
Park
. It was ridden by
Edward
Hildebrand
and placed fourth. This is the first documented appearance of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the historical record. In January 1905, small advertisements were placed in the "Automobile and Cycle Trade Journal" that offered bare Harley-Davidson engines to the do-it-yourself trade. By
April
, complete motorcycles were in production on a very limited basis. That year the first Harley-Davidson dealer,
Carl
H.
Lang
of
Chicago
, sold three bikes from the dozen or so built in the
Davidson
backyard shed. (Some years later the original shed was taken to the
Juneau Avenue
factory where it would stand for many decades as a tribute to the Motor Company's humble origins. Unfortunately, the first shed was accidentally destroyed by contractors in the early 1970s during a clean-up of the factory yard.) In 1906,
Harley
and the
Davidsons
built their first factory on
Chestnut Street
(later
Juneau Avenue
). This location remains the Motor Company's corporate headquarters today. The first Juneau Avenue plant was a 40 by 60-foot (
18 m
) single-story wooden structure.
Contact us for more H-D and other motorcycle photos of the old and famous American and European motorcycle brands and save on shipping!
We have more photos, also listed on Ebay, of other bikes, and various motorcycle (world) champions on various kinds of machinery. Please check out our auctions and take advantage of our shipping discount! The auction selection is refreshed and changed continuously. You can always contact us if you have any wishes.
This is your rare chance to own this
non period
photo that reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycle history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x
12”
(ca. 20 x
30 cm
).
Check out our auctions or contact us for more motorcycle (racing) photos!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.