Grey Knucklehead 1940

There will always be people who, when they hear the word Harley, imagine a hulking mound of metal with a fat back wheel. It certainly does take quite a lot of metal to even begin to contain the muscle of a Harley engine and make it roadworthy. But if done properly, the whole thing can look surprisingly slick and streamlined.

A 1940 Knucklehead is a pretty good starting point for a project. Where do you start? The engine, of course.

Much of it is original, but there is still plenty to do. Once finished, later 1,000 cc heads were put on, a not-uncommon practice in the early days of customising. Next, build the bare essentials round – but nothing average, you understand. Stainless-steel exhaust – on the left, why not? – then you can still get a good look at the knuckle side of the engine. But no unnecessary bulges please: instead a narrowed Sportster tank: chopped, welded and smoothed. Nineteen-inch wheels to round off the package. And there you have it: a genuine motorbike. Instead of disappearing beneath a mound of sheet metal and accoutrements, the old Knucklehead protrudes with dignity from the frame, as befits its advanced age. And to drive? Sporty as youth only can.