U vs UL values

[loch]

Hi Fellow Flatties,

This is not technical - my apologies.

Regarding Harley Davidson U and UL side valve machines.

Two machines, very similar in condition, and the same year, one is U model and the other a UL. Is there a difference value? Please disregard whether or not one is possibly original and the other a restoration or what a person might be willing to pay for one or the other. Assume they are the same in every respect and that each is accurate for differences between the two models. Objectively speaking, if they were sitting next to each other would the UL expect to fetch a higher price?

Regards,
Loch

[duffeycycles]

no, ULH yes

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Indeed, no functional price difference on U and UL models.

And, in my experience, there is no functional way to tell them apart from the outside. They share ALL the same parts. Same pistons, same cams, same crank, same cases, same cylinders.

What changes is the cylinder heads. The U is just over 5:1 and the UL is just over 6:1. In "theory" you could somehow use a bore scope to find the "ridges" on the heads to see what the compression ratio could be. However, even that isn't a guarantee after more than 80 years. Heads or cylinders could have been skimmed, cylinders could have been relieved. All of that impacts the ultimate compression ratio. I've seen more than one U which had what appeared to be very, very low compression due to heavy relieving.

In sum; unless you pull a cylinder head and really examine things; it can be nigh on impossible to detect the difference between the models.

The other thing that often changes is whether they are 3 speed w/ Reverse or 4 speed. Generally, unless your bike is hooked up to a side car; most people will pay a bit more for a 4 speed vs. a 3 speed bike.

But, as duffey points out; people will pay a higher premium for a UH/ULH (80" version). My own UL wore UH/ULH cylinders, alloy cylinder heads (6.9:1), and was stroked to 89.6" (rounded to 90") but from the outside looked completely like a stock 74" bike ;-)

[Jerry Wieland]

The ULH usually sells a little higher but between the U and the UL there is no difference. I personally prefer the 74" vs the 80". It is my opinion that when HD went to 80" they stretched the envelope just a little too much. When you find ULH cylinder they are always junk and usually show signs of intense heat and consequence piston failure. UL cylinders are usually in good condition.

[Steve Slocombe]

Remember the ULH models were made only 1937-41. And I see U and UL models valued as knuckleheads with the wrong engine and tanks. All the U-series bikes are fine riders but being sacrificed in search of the knucklehead dollars.

[loch]

Wow!

Thanks everyone for the concise information on the U, UL, UH and ULH.

Since a UL has recently taken up residence in our motor-cycle hall, I find it necessary to learn some more about it. I have recently been concentrating on caring for other machines that bracket the years of the UL series production.

Regards,
Loch

[Rubone]

Keep in mind there was very little difference between a U/UL and a UH/ULH. Basically just the cylinders, pistons, venturi in the carb, and on late versions alloy instead of iron heads. Most ULH were ordered by dealers with the high end packages but any could be ordered that way. To me there is no reason to pay more for a ULH,