California Builder Restores ‘45 Harley Knucklehead Found in Tennessee Garage
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
It was a picker’s dream. A 1945 Harley was stowed away for decades in an old-timer’s collection in a hidden garage in Tennessee. Dave Pinkel, an avid motorcycle enthusiast, was the lucky person who chanced upon the 1945 Knucklehead.
When the bits and pieces were put together, a vintage Harley-Davidson EL 61 Knucklehead was assembled from that dusty Tennessee collection. It was recently featured on eBay.
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Pinkel, who lives in Santa Clarita, Calif., has a passion for old bikes and loves the process of bringing them back from the brink.
He said:
I previously bought an old bike from an old guy. He was in his 70s, and he told me he had more stuff. When I finally met him, he showed me a pile in the basket.So I worked with him for over a year to get that bike out of Tennessee and bring it to California. Then, I spent about a year getting it to where it is now, running and riding.
An All-American Bike Brought Back to Life
The old Knuckle was quite the menagerie. The rear fender was painted red, while the front was brownish. The tanks were blue. Pinkel decided to paint the front fender to match the rear, then painted blue and white stars on the headlight to match the All-American theme.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a motorcycle more deserving of an Americana theme than a 1945 Harley-Davidson EL 61 Knucklehead. In 1945, America was coming out of the Second World War, and production hadn’t entirely shifted to civilian use.
Only 398 ELs were manufactured in 1945. As a result, finding one of these old warhorses in the wild is rare.
To Pinkel’s good fortune, the 61 cubic-inch overhead-valve Knucklehead was in great shape. He said the Tennessee-based seller had done engine and frame work on old Harleys for years.
Pinkel said:
He redid the motor, so it was nice and fresh. Matching cases and belly numbers, all Harley.
Vintage Accessories Added
While the engine was in great shape, the same couldn’t be said about the old white seat, not much more than a pan. But Pinkel had a white kicker pedal and grips in his collection of vintage accessories accumulated over the years. So he tossed those items on and painted the dash cover white to tie into the theme.
With stars shrouding the headlight, it seemed only fitting to balance them out with a star on the back fender as well. This one happens to be an old Buco star. Buco, a company from Detroit, began making motorcycle parts and accessories in 1933. Its stars were popular accoutrements on old Harleys.
The winged front fender tip, an early Harley accessory, is another subtle sweet detail. So is the metal trim and luggage rack that Pinkel added. The weathered leather bags contribute to its rustic appeal. The Harley-Davidson stamp is still visible despite being 76 years old.
The Next Chapter
Due to its limited production run, the 1945 Harley-Davidson EL 61 is one of the rarest Knuckleheads out there. And Knuckleheads continue to be the most coveted Harley engine.
Luckily, this one crossed paths with someone who had the passion and know-how to bring it back to life. Not only did Pinkel salvage one of Harley-Davidson’s most iconic motorcycles, but he also injected it with little bits of his personality and panache.
As much as he loves restoring old bikes, Pinkel also loves when they find a new home with someone who appreciates them.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.