24-carat gold plated motorcycle

[23JDCA 808]

http://luxurylaunches.com/transport/...ed-chopper.php

[sirhrmechanic]

Bling Bling...

That said, if you have ever seen the chrome plated Knuck built for the President of Guatemala (at the Smithsonian), it's pretty spectacular. It's in the Museum of American History and is a really cool machine. Last time I was there, it was off display, possibly undergoing some conservation. It was a bit ratty c. 2002 or so. But a chrome tank on a wartime Knuck really looked good.

I figure there must have been some good reason for the U.S. to allow this bike to be built. Basing? Keep Guatemala friendly? Strategic metals? Because in 1942, you didn't just 'order' a bike. And chrome anything was hard to get.

Anyone have the background on that bike? It occurs to me that the back story is more interesting than the bike.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[23JDCA 808]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...an_Institution

[sirhrmechanic]

Bill:

Good thought... but the Wiki entry doesn't have anything substantive.

On a good note, I had no idea the SI had so many bikes. Most have not been displayed over the years. But from what I recall, only something like 5% of their collection is on display.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[exeric]

I saw the article on my homepage about that bike. I think it was built by a Danish builder. No offense to those who like it, but it make me want to regurgitate.

[23JDCA 808]

. . . It's in the Museum of American History and is a really cool machine. ...

http://amhistory.si.edu/onthemove/co.../object_1.html

[Rubone]

Bling Bling...

That said, if you have ever seen the chrome plated Knuck built for the President of Guatemala (at the Smithsonian), it's pretty spectacular. It's in the Museum of American History and is a really cool machine. Last time I was there, it was off display, possibly undergoing some conservation. It was a bit ratty c. 2002 or so. But a chrome tank on a wartime Knuck really looked good.

I figure there must have been some good reason for the U.S. to allow this bike to be built. Basing? Keep Guatemala friendly? Strategic metals? Because in 1942, you didn't just 'order' a bike. And chrome anything was hard to get.

Anyone have the background on that bike? It occurs to me that the back story is more interesting than the bike.

Cheers,

Sirhr

'42 was a regular production year from Sept of '41 into Jan '42. There was civilian and police production. That '42 is fairly representative of a '42 model civilian with what appears to be a police radio option on it. The chrome was likely applied after the fact and was most likely done in Guatemala, not the H-D factory. Was it something special? Probably not, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, and other Central American countries all bought H-D police units for parade duty etc from H-D.
I own a civilian '42FL and know of several others.

[sirhrmechanic]

Yup, that's the bike.

But how and why did it get built? Why for the President of Guatemala? In 1942... not a lot of 'civilian' bikes were coming out of the HD factory. You not only had to get special variance to build one, but where were you going for things like chrome tanks? Firing up the chroming facilities for a pair of tanks? Presumably, there were plating companies working for the war effort, but were they messing around with bike tanks unless there was a very specific and important reason for that?

There has to be a bigger story behind that bike. State Department? War department? Presidential? gift to a foreign leader as part of a wartime deal? Roosevelt was known for giving away DC3's (as to Ibn Saud) http://www.ameu.org/getattachment/51...-Ibn-Saud.aspx Was this bike an enticement, a bribe or just something El Presidente ordered that no one would refuse to build?

As a 1942 model, could it have ended up being made before Dec. 41? How did it get back to the States and who is Mr. Cohen who donated it? There has to be a back story there.... If it was a 1938 or even 1940 model... pre-U.S. involvement in WW2, it would have just been another order placed to Milwaukee. The fact that it is dated 1942 means that it can't just have been 'ordered' even by a Guatemalan el Presidente. Someone in, I believe it was called the War Production Board, had to sign off. Only it seems that very little is available online about it or possibly even known about it?

Perhaps this is a mission for Panhead Jim and his blog? I have a pretty extensive library of all books H-D (and MC), but have never come across much more about this bike than a mention in the "Official History" books published by the Motor Company. But someone here in Harley History Land must know the trail of this bike. I've always wondered about it.

BTW, I believe it is in one of Herbert Wagner's books that he does note that Harley's were built throughout the war years for celebrities, and "Fortunate sons" of Senators and the like... people of influence and importance whose kids apparently stayed home and got Custom Harley's. For those who romanticize WW2 and the "Greatest Generation," it had its share of slackers and fortunate sons as well. It's just that CCR wasn't around to sing about them... So civilian Harley's did get built, along with wartime necessity bikes for police and plant security and other 'necessary' functions as deemed by the WPB.

Pardon the thread hijack... but at least for me, wartime EL's are far more interesting than someone who gold-dipped an OCC monstrosity in Denmark. While there are lots of creative and talented bike builders and restorers in the EU, those folks should have stuck to making tasty fruit jelly-centered iced pastries.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[rwm]

It's a gift to the first freely elected president of guatemala

[Rubone]

You not only had to get special variance to build one, but where were you going for things like chrome tanks? Firing up the chroming facilities for a pair of tanks? Presumably, there were plating companies working for the war effort, but were they messing around with bike tanks unless there was a very specific and important reason for that?

No "special Variance" was required. The WPB did not come into it on '42 models. What makes you believe the tanks were chromed from the factory. Or that they were even chrome in '42?
The WPB was created in mid January of '42. As stated, '42 production had been going on for 4 months at that time. Your speculation does not jive with the reality of the time.

[sirhrmechanic]

Robbie:

All good points... for all I know, the bike went to Guatemala after the war? Or was chromed there? And sorry if I seemed to be speculating, but I was more trying to ask questions in hope that someone knew the back story of a bike that millions get to see at the SI, but which is remarkably void of an historical narrative.

And you are right, the WPB did not come into effect until 1942, but I believe that strategic materials such as chrome were already being controlled before Pearl Harbor and that auto makers were substituting silver paint, white paint and were reducing the amount of chrome in their designs even in the 1942 models... But you are, of course, correct that if the President of Guatemala's Harley was ordered and delivered in Fall 1942, it would have been no problem to deliver it plated or have it plated outside the factory.

So again, I ask does anyone have the documented story of the SI bike... which would end any speculation.

Anyway, thanks Robbie... as always, valid points!

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Rubone]

but I believe that strategic materials such as chrome were already being controlled before Pearl Harbor and that auto makers were substituting silver paint, white paint and were reducing the amount of chrome in their designs even in the 1942 models..

Some items were, but if you look at the offerings for '42 from all the major automotive makes as well as H-D and Indian you will find the '42 models had MORE chrome available than any previous years. The Deluxe Solo packages from H-D were covered with chrome.
And GM, Packard, Ford, etc were putting more than ever on their cars. All of which is well documented.

[RichO]

Boy, I'll bet those footboards where hard to get during the war effort too!

[Lonnie]

Rick Allen also has a Guatemala bike from the same year I believe. Chrome tanks with rubber kneepads as I recall, though I have not seen it in years and I recall it being a Big Twin flathead. I'll see him in Daytona this weekend and if I can remember I will ask him about it to refresh my memory (?What memory?). I believe both bikes were brought into the US by the same person and both were supposed to be Presidential escorts.