An icon in every sense of the word, the Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, like this handsome black example from 1947, is more than just a motorcycle—it is a machine that transcended the era in which it was born. Introduced in 1936, Harley-Davidson’s first production overhead-valve V-twin, the Knucklehead, was a milestone in both mechanical advancement and aesthetic balance. Its robust, cutting-edge V-twin and elegant, flowing design created the blueprint for quintessential American V-twins, cementing its legacy as one of the all-time greats. Upon its debut, neither overhead-valve engine architecture nor heavy, comfortable, big-twin touring motorcycles was a new concept. When the motorcycle was first introduced in America, multiple engine designs vied for market supremacy, but the torque of the large-displacement V-twin became the country’s preferred platform. V-twins, predominantly of the F-head or intake-over-exhaust variety, offered enough power and reliability to stretch their legs across long distances but the low-end grunt to power through some of the rough roads that were the norm at the turn of the 20th century. Though the overhead-valve V-twins emerged as early as 1911 and performed far better in the high-speed world of professional motorcycle racing, the design was complex, expensive and far less reliable than F-heads and the later side-valves that dominated production machines. It was America’s expansive landscape that demanded power, reliability and comfort that defined the heavyweight touring identity that motorcycles would take on as the machines continued to evolve. That is, however, until the introduction of the Harley-Davidson EL, better known as the Knucklehead, given the unique shape of its rocker boxes, that began to turn the tide. For the first time, the power of overhead valves was tamed enough for mass production, made all the more attractive by flowing streamlined design. Representing the final year of the famed Knucklehead, this gorgeous black 1947 Harley-Davidson FL was the pinnacle of American motorcycling at the time. It features a 74 CI (1200cc) OHV V-twin, 4-speed hand-shifted gearbox and springer fork. Enhancing this highly desirable last-year example are front and rear chrome crash bars, fender trim, tasteful chrome accents and a rare retractable “Sport” windshield. As a symbol of the American motorcycle, the Knucklehead is unmatched, inspiring enthusiasts and defining modern V-twin motorcycles’ aesthetics. F165 1947 Harley-Davidson FL Knucklehead
