Fully Restored: 1947 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead
I admit I spent decades with no understanding of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and why they attract a strong following. I was raised on a diet of high-revving Japanese machines, failing to understand that a Harley is as much about the lifestyle and inherent charisma as the ownership experience. However, my feelings were borne out of ignorance, and I now appreciate these classics. Our feature Harley is a 1947 EL that was restored a few years ago. It isn’t perfect, but that hasn’t discouraged potential buyers since the seller listed it here on eBay in Stanfield, North Carolina. Bidding has raced to $45,100, although that figure falls short of the reserve.
Releasing a new model almost invariably involves rolling the dice, and Harley-Davidson did so when it unveiled its first post-Great Depression model in 1936. The EL found ready acceptance in the market, much to the relief of those who initially doubted its wisdom and sales potential. It became a sales success, and the fact our feature Harley rolled out of the factory in 1947 is a testament to longevity. The seller indicates the EL underwent restoration before their purchase, and it remains unchanged. The Blue paint retains an impressive shine, with the seller admitting a close inspection will reveal minor chips and marks. Some components aren’t original to this machine, including the seat, fender tips, and possibly the muffler. The remaining components used during the refresh are either original to this EL or genuine Harley parts. The chrome is immaculate, and the speedometer works as it should.
The defining feature of any Harley is its engine, with this EL featuring the iconic “Knucklehead” V-Twin. The company introduced the powerplant in the same year the EL hit showroom floors. While early examples experienced reliability issues, ongoing development eliminated those problems, and it remained a staple until replaced by the Panhead in 1948. This Knucklehead is original to this machine, although the four-speed transmission is believed to be of 1949 or 1950 vintage. The 74ci V-Twin produces 53hp, but that isn’t the greatest asset of these motors. Their torque delivery is exceptional in the lower rev range, making these some of the most flexible engines on the planet. The seller has clocked 100 miles aboard this classic without issues or problems. It runs and rides as it should, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
Vintage Harley-Davidsons have remained a staple of the classic scene for decades, and that situation shows no signs of changing. Enthusiasts will focus more on preserving the brand’s heritage, especially since the company’s CEO recently announced it will eventually fully transition to an all-electric model range. The concept of an enthusiast throwing their leg over a Harley that doesn’t produce that distinctive bass throb was unthinkable a few years ago, but it now appears inevitable. This 1947 EL has attracted thirty-seven bids. I hope the new owner continues preserving this classic so that future generations can understand what has been lost when the only Harley they can buy is battery-powered. The brand deserves nothing less.
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Comments
May be a bit high on the hp rating Clarkey ? … in the 40 range i thought..
Either way what a neat motorcycle. Kick start isn’t for wimps.
Also, an EL was 61 cubic inches. The FL was 74 cubic inches. I owned two ELs back in the day. They would not get out of their own way. 70-75mph was top speed. The panhead was a big improvement. But the EL looked nice.
Riding a Harley that does not rumble when you twist the throttle is like eating an Oreo cookie without the filling. That is one pretty knucklehead. Hope that it goes to an enthusiast that will still ride her on occasion.
Happy Thanksgiving BF crew and readers. I hope everybody had a good one.
Great reference. We used to eat the filling and throw the cookie away. Just curious, why wouldn’t this “rumble”? I couldn’t imagine this going to anyone BUT an enthusiast. Have a safe holiday.
The EL was 61 cubic inches and the FL was 74 cubic inches and was rated at 53hp. So, in the write-up you are calling it an EL but giving the specs for an FL, which is it?
VIN says it’s an EL, 61″ My Dad had a brand new 1947 FL, sold it and before the new owner picked it up my dad took for his last ride and crashed doing 107mph. He survived, but with a lot of skin rash.
Well, there are an alleged 37 bidders, up to an alleged $45,100, boy howdy, I just don’t know. Really? I mean, everyone can agree on what an outstanding restoration this is, but $50 grand for a novelty item, I’m pretty confident, is out of most folks league here. Do millionaires visit BarnFinds? Maybe, but these are a challenge to operate, and after the 1st white knuckle test drive, it will either sit next to all the “other” unused toys,( the VW window van that sucks to drive, or the Lambo that they CAN’T drive) or will be sold to the next unaware sap. It was a crude machine driven by ex-GIs that just went through Hell, looking for thrills, and I wonder if todays riders will be able to handle it. The apparent cost doesn’t seem to be a deterrent, but that foot clutch will be at the 1st stop light.
This is an awesome example of something to look at. Isn’t that what it is all about anyway? I’d love to have it and try to ride it around town but I don’t qualify financially.
Sure is a pretty bike. I’d love to see into the future and what becomes of our favorite cars and motorcycles, is someone not even born yet going to be jamming on the kick starter in 2123, or is it going to be in a museum, for display only?
I also grew up thinking Harleys were for old fuddy- duddies, for me if it didn’t rev past 10k and do a quarter mile in less than 11 seconds, I had no use for it. But now that I’m older I can appreciate old Harleys and Indians, I’d even like to have a modern one. My body can no longer handle the riding position of a sport bike, and the modern cruisers have plenty of power to get in trouble these days.
As a long-term HD owner – all being kick start only bikes – you’ll need to learn the rhythm for kicking over this bike, but that’s part of the beauty of kick only. And once you get it down, it’s a treat to show all how “it used to be done”. Nice Scoot, and someone is going to get a bike that draws interest no matter where you ride. Wow, on the bidding $$.
I’ve always dreamed of owning a nuc and at my age the 61 would be a lot easier to kick over.
So, H-D has decided to put themselves completely out of business, by going all electric? Sad. I’m glad I bought my Harley, when they still cared about selling bikes to the average guy.
Actually, Harley has distanced themselves from the EV bike craze by calling their offering the “Live Wire”..but you won’t find a Harley badge anywhere on it.
This would look so much better at my place. Once again, I think that the head honcho at HD is drinking his own bath water. An electric bike? Where am I going to hang my purse? Now I’ll have to revert to rigging cards in the spokes so I’ll get some noise out of it.
Oh, I wouldn’t put too much credibility in anything electric, bikers still have some scruples, and wouldn’t be caught on one. I DO think, in our lifetime, which isn’t much longer, we will see the end of Harley. I read, there are over 3 MILLION unsold Harleys today, a far cry from the 80,000 they sold last year. Doesn’t take Einstein to figure that out.
Re: cards in the spokes. We only used the “duds” for spoke noise, probably worth a fortune today.
Friend that owned Spirat Ent. in Melbourne FL, ‘Smitty'(RIP), the head mech, had several old knucks & Pans in his collection, and one of these in black, identical, a ’47 knuck. While on vaca during Bike Week in ’89, let me take it out for the day. It was a workout no doubt, my 1st time with the foot clutch. I had to do a few other adjustments while riding, glad he had tools in the leather bags. No ‘new’ rider these days would have figured out the probs. Back in ’89 when I already had 2, an ’82 Sturgis bought new & an ’89 bagger a month old, so riding a classic like this, sure made me appreciate Harley’s progress to say the least! Great to look at and get looks back, but seriously, not worth much anything else. Maybe I’m just spoiled w/ my ’15 RoadGlide CVO? Especially w/ tying up $45k+.
Ended at $47,700. Reserve Not Met.
This beauty will have to wait to find a new ass in the seat. That is not meant as a derogatory comment.