Few classic vehicles have developed the kind of cult following that we see with Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Pre-war examples create strong interest when they appear on the market, especially if they are original and unmolested. This 1941 Harley FL demonstrates this enthusiast’s passion perfectly because the bidding has soared to $40,600 off the back of some intense action. It is located in Jordan, Minnesota, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Given the examples that we have seen in recent times, it is surprising that the reserve has been met with the bidding at its current level.

The owner states that the FL is mostly original. He says that he believes that the forks and fenders might have been replaced, but it appears that he is not entirely sure about this. The paint is showing plenty of wear, but this adds a sense of character to this classic. There is no doubt that it is a prime candidate for restoration, but the next owner might choose to leave it untouched. The fenders and tank show no evidence of significant dings or dents, so if the FL is to be returned to its former glory, these components could be used with little more than basic preparation work. The chrome sports plenty of corrosion and bubbling, but none of it has deteriorated beyond the point of no return. The leather saddlebags have survived quite nicely, and if the buyer chooses to restore this machine, these could be reused with no real dramas.

The 1941 model year marked the FL’s introduction, and its frame design was shared with several other models. However, it was the only one of these models to feature the “Knucklehead” engine. This 74ci (1,207cc) V-Twin should be producing 53hp, which finds its way to the road via a 4-speed transmission. For an unrestored motorcycle of this age, the engine presents quite nicely. Thankfully, these looks don’t deceive. The owner states that the Knucklehead starts easily and that it runs and shifts perfectly. He doesn’t indicate whether it is actually roadworthy, but if it isn’t, then getting it to that point might be a straightforward process. Everything on this FL is said to work as it should, and the owner actively encourages potential bidders to inspect it first. That suggests that everything is in order and that this is a seller who has nothing to hide with this classic.

The classic vehicle ownership experience will invariably involve compromise. It doesn’t matter whether you are talking about a classic car, a pickup, or a motorcycle. The chances are that the older vehicles are never going to be as comfortable as their modern counterparts. Maintenance requirements are almost always going to be higher, simply because model evolution will refine designs and eliminate the potential weaknesses that have become apparent in the earlier vehicles. This 1941 Harley-Davidson FL is almost certainly not going to be as comfortable as a new one that you can go in and buy off the showroom floor today. Its maintenance requirements will also be higher, but 79-years of evolution will account for that. However, this motorcycle is a classic, and the bidding to this point demonstrates that fact. Sure, the modern Harley will be easier to live with, but it will lack that indefinable presence that this one possesses. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bidding goes quite a bit higher before this listing ends, and I’ll be interested to know whether we have any readers who might be considering joining in on the action.