Bad Little Knuckle

Love Cycles ULH

Jason Sheets 1931 Harley Davidson VL @ Born Free 5

This is a 1931 VL built by Jason Sheets for last years Born Free5 event.  I saw it in person and it was very impressive indeed !   The detail and craftsmanship are 2nd to none.  I had myself fooled that I might actually win the raffle bike and this was one I was really impressed with...alas, someone else won and I walked away !

1955 Harley Davidson Straight Leg Panhead Frame 4 Sale

I am selling a pretty nice 1955 Harley Davidson Panhead frame.  It has the date code of 5K which makes it a frame made in November of 1955

:The neck is uncut but the tank mounting casting has been removed
:Front loops missing
:Tool box mount missing
:Rear axle castings have been trimmed
:It looks to be up a bit in the front, maybe 2 inches.  Look at the backbone...

I don't consider this to be a restoration grade frame but would make a nice custom frame...you make the call

The fender set up is NOT included, frame only.

I will ship anywhere on your dime.  If you are overseas please do your own shipping research.
I am located in Moreno Valley, California  92557

SOLD

Cel. # 951-992-9839

1935 Trans-Continental Record of 77 Hours & 53 Minutes

Dot and Earl were both riding and winning in Endurance Run competition in the early 1930s. In 1935 The Robinson’s set two transcontinental records, New York to Los Angeles. Earl set the solo record on a 1935 HD 45, at 77 hours and 53 minutes, and He and Dot set the sidecar record at 89 hours and 58 minutes. 

So in a little over 3 days a solo rider on a 45" Harley Davidson went from coast to coast by himself.  No doubt he had dealer support but was on his own between needs for service. 

"Cannonball Coast to Coast Race"

Picture by David Uhl

 

When you think about the pioneers of trans-continental record breaking, it stands out that these men and women were made of tougher stuff.  They made these rides alone, on dirt (and mud ) roads with very little support and they did it in amazing time spans. 

 

At this end of the spectrum, we are doing trans-continental "Cannonball Races" with massive support structures (as in portable machine shops in semi-truck trailers) and in time spans that don't exactly blow you away.  It would seem that there would be a trans-continental race with no support vehicles and be done as fast as humanly possible allowing for antiquated machinery, etc.  What if you had to stage your support and supplies in such a way as to duplicate the original conditions ? Now, that my friend, would be a Coast to Coast Race worthy of Cannonball Bakers name !

The VL Legacy Project

Check out Steve Slocombes' site, this is the man when it comes to the Harley VL.  He is seeking to duplicate the old California Highway Patrol footage from the 1930's where a group of Patrol VL's were all clocked at 100 mph.

Here is  the verbiage from Harley Davidson for the 1934 VL line.

1934 Harley-Davidson Brochure

"They're newer than new, hotter than hot, faster than fast, and neater than neat. In fact, brother, they're honeys! These new 1934 model Harley-Davidsons make previous models, as good as they were, look out of date, and no foolin'. These 1934 dream ships with their ultra-modern styling will make your old heart go pit-a-pat when you check them over. Boy, every time we look at a 1934 model our fingers start to itch to get at the throttle and listen to the pretty music from that new muffler.

Look at the new fenders. Ain't that sumpin! Streamlining adapted to a motorcycle at its very best. Air-flo design is what we call it, and it matches up in style with the dynamite and wallop packed in the 1934 VLD motors. When you pour in that throttle, they cut loose and start producing real horses, actually 36 h.p. at 4600 r.p.m., and we don't have to tell you that this means miles per hour and lots of 'em. When this husky baby starts drinking in gasoline through that Y-shaped, no resistance intake manifold, things start to happen and your speedometer needle begins to move like the second hand on a watch.

The 74 Big Twin is the battle wagon of the 1934 Harley-Davidson line. Flashing, rocket-like speed, bulldog power and unlimited dependability are the characteristics of this TNT powered speedster. Class in every line. Just look at those new guards, the new tank insignia, the chrome plated covers on the chain guard, the new Comfort Saddle and the trim tail light. Last year our special motors were listed at $10 higher than the standard, but we're coming in on the New Deal, and for 1934 the $10 extra charge is taken off. How's that, brother?"

 

Check out the video from the 1930's here.  All of this information came from the VL Heaven site and is intended to promote the restoration of the old VL line.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i81lzERPC8I