Black Flathead U 1940

Most projects at Ehinger Kraftrad begin with a relatively simple question: how original do we want it to be? Finding the answer becomes an almost philosophical undertaking every time we do a conversion. But with this 1940 Flathead, things were clear-cut from the outset.

The story of this Harley is fully traceable back to a Vietnam veteran in Florida. We received it from him a few years ago (already a bobber conversion), via a few short detours, most recently in Denmark.

Now a Flathead U Model like this is highly coveted, not to mention an investment. Yet when it came down to it, this motorbike was – and forgive our harshness – only 60, 70% original, which is too little in the typical Ehinger view of things. So the next step was to break it down and fit the parts into other projects or, depending on the part, sell them at highly attractive prices. Then, from that which remained, build a full-on custom bike.

The 74-cubic-inch engine was of course completely stripped and rebuilt to start off with – and no cutting corners there. As for the rest, the ironclad laws of Ehinger were enforced to the letter: excellent quality, combined without frills. Only then can the crest go on. And only then is it finished: the Flatty, a genuine Ehinger Kraftrad. And who knows? Maybe Uwe Ehinger might take it out for a spin.