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Nice pictures. Note rear axle and sprocket are still cadmium plated. First year chromed taillight cup and last year flat tail light lens. First year brake light switch and only year for long white hand grips. And those shielded spark plug covers for the radio equipped bikes are sure hard to find today.
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I was wondering who would comment on the axle & sprocket. I think this VL was a stunner.
A friend was at the archives & they found some half burned negatives that they allowed him to print.
Some of them were not in other collections & some were destroyed as they printed them.
Here is the '36 Knuck. These pics were more common in collections. I've never been a fan of the colors of the fenders & wheels.
36el2.jpg 36el.jpgLast edited by duffeycycles; 04-06-2026, 03:42 PM.Comment
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I'm always blown away by Steve, Roger, and Robbie's eyes for the H-D minutia. Those observations are priceless for anyone boring into an involved, and comprehensive restoration/preservation. Also, for the benefit for the rest of us that are grateful for bringing those things to light for the sake of posterity. I have often wondered if weirdos (no dis' intended) in the post Roman Empire collapse came across the occasional chariot, etc. and felt compelled to save/preserve/restore those objects. I'm sure there were many people who recognized, and admired Roman technology and God bless them but "what is cool", and TIME is a relentless enemy.Eric Smith
AMCA #886Comment
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(Aside from opportunistic scavenging..)Originally posted by exeric View Post
There were no such 'weirdos', Eric!
Because Nostalgia wasn't invented yet.
And its about to become extinct.
....CottenLast edited by T. Cotten; 04-06-2026, 04:58 PM.AMCA #776
Dumpster Diver's Motto: Seek,... and Ye Shall Find!Comment
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Nostalgia as we think of it... maybe not. But I'll bet there were a few old timers who were bummed out to see things change. Some young long haired, sandal wearing Roman punk cutting the sidecar mounts and making a chopper out of Ben Hur's origianl XXVII chariot.Comment
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I was comically speculating about the Roman era, but based on the amount of Egyptian, Asian, Greek, and Roman, art that has been preserved, I have to think that people throughout history knew what was beautiful, and worth preserving. Objects made of perishable materials wouldn't hold up, but stone was something they knew would transcend beyond their own time. I don't think nostalgia was part of the vision; I believe it was all based on appreciation of beauty, and art.
p.s. Not to mention the incredible skill, and talent of ancient artisans. We see that today in mundane objects that were made in the Industrial Revolution by people who made little money, but had enormous talent and a profound work/aesthetic ethic. I think we are cynical in favor of technology vs. human effort in this day and age and tend to discount how creative, and inventive people can be when they have to work with fewer advantages.Last edited by exeric; 04-06-2026, 06:08 PM.Eric Smith
AMCA #886Comment
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I think industrial creativity and beauty have been victims of cost-cutting not an abundance of advantages.Originally posted by exeric View Post
AMCA #41287
1971 Sprint SS350 project
1972 FX Boattail Night Train
1972 Sportster project
1973 HD Golf Cart project
1979 FXS 1200 never done playing
1989 Springer Softail project
1998 Dyna Convertible - 100% Original
96" Evo Softail self built chopper
2020 Heritage Classic 114
plus 15 other bikes over the years...Comment
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5170 1911 HD singles with battery ignitionComment
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*M.A.D.*
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A6C3636A-EA5E-40B5-A658-FB0E87509012_1_201_a.jpeg
*Steve McQueen & Daughter--Terry Leslie McQueen during filming of 'Le Mans'.
2507F473-DCD9-4AFA-B729-5004C15AAD01_1_201_a.jpegLast edited by JoJo357; 04-09-2026, 06:02 PM.Comment
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