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.*