Help Bike ID

[cuda567]

Hello everybody, I have a few questions about this bike. This is my grandfathers bike and I wanted to know what year it was and are there any other things about this bike that anyone can tell me. My goal is to try and find a project bike or piece one together to resemble his motorcycle.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave

[Chris Haynes]

1940 ul...

[cuda567]

Thanks Chris, appreciate the response!

[Sargehere]

Earlier UL with 1940-pattern tank emblems.
How do I know? Engine cam cover has no horizontal fins (smooth, from 1937 last seen on 1939s) and the fenders have no S.S. side trim strips (introduced in 1939). Trim strips required holes in the overlap between fenders and side skirts. Could be a 1938 or 9 updated with the 1940 tanks and aluminum heads (introduced on Big Twins in 1940). Taillight was introduced in 1939. Not an easy bolt-on year-upgrade like the other things. People seemed to always be trying to upgrade to the latest model year features in that era.


Rear stand looks like the early tubular one, 1936-37.

[cuda567]

Awesome thanks for the info Gerry..

I would really appreciate your opinion on the 1940 hd coming up on the mecum auction block, link below
Good project?
https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0118-31...y-davidson-ul/
Thanks for the info

[vph-d]

The owner switched over to 16" rims, too.
VPH-D

[Sargehere]

Awesome thanks for the info Gerry..

I would really appreciate your opinion on the 1940 hd coming up on the mecum auction block, link below
Good project?
https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0118-31...y-davidson-ul/
Thanks for the info

1941 fuel tanks (1941-through-46) fore-&-aft tank strips)
Allen heads hold on the generator
Painted screwheads in the shifter gate
Air intake horn is a short one intended for a 45.
Taiwan horn still has Phillips screws in it.
Repro muffler is pre-41 design.
Incorrect fuel line/fuel filter
What is that cascade of black glop falling down between the cylinders, left side?
Kickstarter is assembled incorrectly.
There's a hole in the "police" rear fender; hole for a siren, not installed.
Completely missing the painted panel behind the chainguard.

Not a cherry piece, & still a minor project to put reasonably right.

[cuda567]

1941 fuel tanks (1941-through-46) fore-&-aft tank strips)
Allen heads hold on the generator
Painted screwheads in the shifter gate
Air intake horn is a short one intended for a 45.
Taiwan horn still has Phillips screws in it.
Repro muffler is pre-41 design.
Incorrect fuel line/fuel filter
What is that cascade of black glop falling down between the cylinders, left side?
Kickstarter is assembled incorrectly.
There's a hole in the "police" rear fender; hole for a siren, not installed.
Completely missing the painted panel behind the chainguard.

Not a cherry piece, & still a minor project to put reasonably right.

Thanks so much for taking a look at that bike Gerry, not sure if I want to bite without actually seeing and hearing it in person.
its obvious I've got a lot to learn because I had no idea about what is right and wrong other than the glob of crap.
Thanks,
Dave

[Rubone]

Also,
Repop ignition switch, steering head bearings changed to Timken type, short stem spotlights, extra holes drilled in friction damper plates, wrong clutch pedal, wrong front backing plate, wrong year frame (electrically welded sidecar loop castings, bull neck), wrong dash cover, repop coil, repop battery cover, missing speedo cable mount....
How far do you want to go!!

[cuda567]

Also,
Repop ignition switch, steering head bearings changed to Timken type, short stem spotlights, extra holes drilled in friction damper plates, wrong clutch pedal, wrong front backing plate, wrong year frame (electrically welded sidecar loop castings, bull neck), wrong dash cover, repop coil, repop battery cover, missing speedo cable mount....
How far do you want to go!!

Thanks for the info, only thing that really concerns me is the frame, I would really like an original, same date frame and motor, would you be able to elaborate a little on the welded sidecar loop(not sure what this looks like)
Thanks,

[Rubone]

Look at the casting with the sidecar loop in it. Note the obvious electric weld bead around the top of it. Early frames through mid '45 were brazed at that connection. But on that particular bike, the killer is the Bullneck, mid '46 to mid '47 only.