Red Flathead U 1939

It’s one of those wonders that every Harley fan dreams of: a family vehicle, built in 1939, 1200 Flathead, bought by the grandfather, passed down to the son, only a few repairs over the years, painted a bit on the right-hand side of the tank, always on the road, always in use.

Red Flathead U 1939

It’s one of those wonders that every Harley fan dreams of: a family vehicle, built in 1939, 1200 Flathead, bought by the grandfather, passed down to the son, only a few repairs over the years, painted a bit on the right-hand side of the tank, always on the road, always in use. And all that in California – so basically kept unchanged.

And I was allowed to buy this bike. The motto after the purchase was clear: hands off! The motorcycle needed to stay in the great, all-original condition it was in.

And the sound! Typically side valves – to my mind better than any Knucklehead – and, what’s more, seriously undervalued (I’m happy to say). A dream motorcycle – although not really; it’s actually an everyday bike.