Experimental OHV 45

[bobdo]

I understand Carmen Brown has the only surviving OHV Harley 45. Has there been any thought on producing
parts to convert a WLA? Maybe theres been thoughts, any action? That would be a fun project.
Just day dreaming, Bob

[23JDCA 808]

I googled this subject and cam up with two discussions, and maybe some pictures.
http://www.caimag.com/forum/archive/...hp/t-6404.html

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us

There may be no pictures here that show the bike; I am not that smart. ...bill
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...w=1024&bih=600

[c.o.]

Bob, you may want to try contacting Carmen's son Eldon here.... http://www.milestonemotorcyclerestoration.com/

Here's a shot from a swapmeet a few years back.

[DuoGlide62]

There's some mention of these bikes in Herbert Wagner's book.

[Chris Haynes]

I can give you a bit of history on it that was told to me by one of its previous owners. The engines were stored in the Knuth warehouse in Milwaukee during WWII. After the war H-D sent some guys to inventory the warehouse because they had no clue what was in it. One of these guys liberated the OHV 45" engine and took it home. The Mo Co found out and demanded its return. he skipped town and took the engine with him. Later it was discovered that he was working for a H-D dealership in the south and had installed the engine in a bike. H-D told the dealer to turn over the engine or he would loose his ticket. The dealer turned the engine over to the H-D District manager, who took it home and stored it in his garage. Years went by and H-D again forgot about the OHV 45". The district manager retired from the company. He then contacted a great Harley race mechanic he had known for years who was now in California doing a bang up job porting and installing big valves in current model H-D heads. He sold the engine to this man who in turn sold it to a gentleman who deals with old bikes in Santa Paula, CA. I kind of lose track here but I believe the Santa Paula, CA gentleman sold the engine to Carmen Brown who built it into a motorcycle.

[fabercycle]

Dan Pugens in Wisconsin set out to repop a select few of the top ends several years ago. I know he had a set back with bad health problems, and I'm not sure if he ever finished anything.

[bobdo]

Thanks guys,
This is incredible. I can't believe someone hasn't seen the potential here.
If they are being made, I want one. Thanks again for the leads. -Bob

[Chris Haynes]

The reason the factory didn't make them is the fact that would have cost the same amount to produce as a Knucklehead. The 45" line was to be cheaper machines. Then WWII came along.

[JohnR]

Least we forget the 45 Magnum

http://victorylibrary.com/45MAG.htm

Has anyone seen or experienced a successful example of this conversion?

[bobdo]

JohnR,
I've only seen a few bikes with Magnum motors in pictures. I'm aware of them, but no first hand knowledge.
-Bob

[jke]

I spoke with Dan Pugens last in Jan of this year, He is still pursuing the dream. He has some casting patterns made, with plans to continue.

[bobdo]

That's good to hear jke.
I'm assuming there is no need to modify the cases. Looking into the magnum, that turned me off.
-Bob