1949 Model 45 Ex-Police Harley

[KenS]

Forgive me, I know very little about Harley's (yet) and as a vintage British bike enthusiast, I wonder how I could find out how this 49 model was shipped from the factory? Are there "build sheets" that would provide options/accessories, colors, were the rims painted or chrome etc.?
The goal is to restore it as close to original as possible. 1949 Harley model 45 FL Ex-Poilce bike.jpg

[BigLakeBob]

http://www.howtorestoreyourharleydavidson.com/

[Saddletramp]

Bob, that's a good reference book. Thanks for the link. I just ordered it. I have one of Schunk's on the way also. I guess I finally realized that I don't know it all.

OP KenS, that's a beautiful '45. Get another seat for it would be where I would start. The tanks forward look very much like my '48 OHV, except my bars are black and more of the speedster style. Can't tell but the springs on the front end look CAD coated as they should be I think and much better condition than my old springs. I love the black headlight bucket too. Interesting rear fender ornament. I've seen Fox tails and tiger tails and I even have a skunk tail between the tanks of my '60 Skunk paint panhead, but that one is cool. There are a couple of guys in the US that specialize in Flatheads especially 45 inchers. One is David Sarafan. I met him years ago at a swap meet in Maryland and when he was still in New York with all NOS parts but I think me may have made his pile and moved to warmer climes. I am sure I have seen his advertisement in the magazine. Good guy, and I think is still in the game. Any way I can help, feel free to PM me. James

[Rubone]

Forgive me, I know very little about Harley's (yet) and as a vintage British bike enthusiast, I wonder how I could find out how this 49 model was shipped from the factory? Are there "build sheets" that would provide options/accessories, colors, were the rims painted or chrome etc.?
The goal is to restore it as close to original as possible. 1949 Harley model 45 FL Ex-Poilce bike.jpg

Nice project bike! Regretfully HDd did not keep a build sheet on the bikes. Other than an original invoice from the purchasing dealer there is little if any way to tell what original spec was. The order blanks are a clue as all bikes were shipped with some version of factory package. The 45s in the USA were rarely used by police though so info on them is slim. Do you know for sure it was police?

[KenS]

Thank you Bob, Saddletramp & Robbie. It's too bad HD didn't keep the build records. My '46 Ariel, I know the Model with the original stamped engine and frame numbers, the date it came off the assembly line, date and to whom (dealer or exporter) it was sold to, colors and options that were ordered. In my case, the options were a 0-80 mph Smiths PA speedometer, a pillion seat and pillion foot rests.
I do not know for certain that the bike was a police bike, previous owner said it was, and don't know if the police bikes had any performance mods like cams etc. As you mentioned, it's been painted and the saddle is definitely not period correct. I learned the saddle part from the folks at the Texas Fandango Rally a couple of weeks ago! This is great information and will research it further.
Thanks very much!

[knucklehead 61]

lots of wrong parts & repop on that bike, such as: both fenders are later type, , seat, kick pedal, exhaust, speedo, etc.
very doubtful it was a police bike, they would have minimal chrome, if any.
this is my 49WL.

[KenS]

[QUOTE=knucklehead 61;n334993]lots of wrong parts & repop on that bike, such as: both fenders are later type, , seat, kick pedal, exhaust, speedo, etc.
very doubtful it was a police bike, they would have minimal chrome, if any.
this is my 49WL.[/QUOTE

Thank you for the valuable information

[JoJo357]

Here is a little food for thought Ken. Also, a very good source for parts from the Master Guru David Sarafan. Maybe your friend you purchased the '49 from has information on the city or town the police unit was commissioned at. Good Luck with the transformation.

David Sarafan <-----

https://youtu.be/7NpWQSa7U2E?si=sxKnDxqWR7USD6aB <-----

https://youtu.be/ejhm0jP47fY?si=T9DMeDZyxR0-J6kk <-----


*M.A.D.*

[KenS]

Here is a little food for thought Ken. Also, a very good source for parts from the Master Guru David Sarafan. Maybe your friend you purchased the '49 from has information on the city or town the police unit was commissioned at. Good Luck with the transformation.

David Sarafan <-----

https://youtu.be/7NpWQSa7U2E?si=sxKnDxqWR7USD6aB <-----

https://youtu.be/ejhm0jP47fY?si=T9DMeDZyxR0-J6kk <-----


*M.A.D.*

Thank you, and that's a good looking bike!

[duffeycycles]

I agree with knuck61 except they could order a chrome package, even police models, just unlikely

[JoJo357]

I agree that WL's were on the slow side for American Police units, given the fact that cities could just order a Knuckle or UL/UH. But this is England, and the English were not into higher displacements because of small roads & small towns. I think it is a possibility that a WL might have been used for exactly that reason and purpose. I know from buying English motorcycles over the years that the English keep impeccable records, so a registration search might find additional information in regard to whether the '49 was even a police motorcycle.

*M.A.D.*

*P.S. Tim, your '49 WL is a really beauty~thank you for sharing.

B6052936-95FC-4D92-A00D-8B4ADD843551_1_201_a.jpeg

[Rubone]

I agree that WL's were on the slow side for American Police units, given the fact that cities could just order a Knuckle or UL/UH. But this is England, and the English were not into higher displacements because of small roads & small towns. I think it is a possibility that a WL might have been used for exactly that reason and purpose. I know from buying English motorcycles over the years that the English keep impeccable records, so a registration search might find additional information in regard to whether the '49 was even a police motorcycle.

*M.A.D.*

*P.S. Tim, your '49 WL is a really beauty~thank you for sharing.

B6052936-95FC-4D92-A00D-8B4ADD843551_1_201_a.jpeg

OPs info says he is in Texas, not the UK.

[JoJo357]

OPs info says he is in Texas, not the UK.

Oops, must be getting old~haha. I guess i just ass~umed this by some of the post comments. Maybe Ken can clear all this up as far as where he purchased the ex~copper?

---> *M.A.D.*

[Speeding Big Twin]

Forgive me, I know very little about Harley's (yet) and as a vintage British bike enthusiast, I wonder how I could find out how this 49 model was shipped from the factory? Are there "build sheets" that would provide options/accessories, colors, were the rims painted or chrome etc.?
The goal is to restore it as close to original as possible.

H-D has said for many years that they don’t have info on individual bikes going back that far but to give you some idea here’s a Domestic Sales Order that did survive. Notice provision for an Equipment Group which in this instance was the Deluxe Solo.







Also if your goal is to restore that bike the first question I have is about the serial number (SN) because when I am not logged in to the forum I notice the description for the photo of the bike says in part: ‘1949 Harley model 45 FL …’

Does the engine SN really say FL? Or WL? And even if it says WL, what does the whole SN look like? If you’re not sure what the SN normally looks like you could post a photo of it but cover the last three sequence characters if you’re concerned about it being on the internet.

Did you check the crankcase production numbers (CPNs)? If you’re not familiar with them they may be stamped under each crankcase half. For example 449-1234. But I’d like to see photos of them please because in the first portion of 1949 Flathead CPNs the factory used at least two types of 4 and possibly even three types?

Left crankcase may have casting number 112-392. And a date code (DC) which may indicate when the case was cast. For example this case has D 8 upside down. Let us know what your case has.







R-H crankcase may have casting number 112-39 and a DC but they’re both inside the gear compartment and therefore not visible with the gear cover in place. Also the DC on the R-H case often, not always, fell victim to the machining of the hole to accommodate the generator.

Cylinders may have casting ID at the base? Photos?
Stamped on the R-H side of each head you may find a number? Maybe 6? Or something else? Photos?
If the carb is a Linkert there may be a model number stamped on it?

Under the transmission filler spout you may find casting number 121-41. And a DC. What’s the DC? Photo?

On the frame look for forging ID on the steering head and axle clips. Photos?
Eric

[Chris Haynes]

[/FONT]

This is the invoice that was sent to the dealer who purchased the bike. Sadly when AMF merged with H-D tons of paperwork got trashed.