47 EL at the factory's museum

[TJK]

Here is a picture of a VIN only two off of the factory 47EL for comparison.

[Rubone]

Now that is truly a shame. And H-D should be ashamed of themselves! But hey, if they keep clipping down the corporation maybe some of those bikes will be "excess to their needs".
Robbie

[pete reeves]

Here is a picture of th 37u number boss.

Pete Reeves 860

[dommi7]

Here's a collage of the number boss from all the photos I have. Enjoy!

[Chris Haynes]

The MoCo's 1937 U has also had the number boss milled off and been restamped. Exactly like a '37 Knuck I used to own.

[Erdos]

I'm going to say it. That looks like a numbers job to me. The original numbers appear to have been milled off and replaced with new numbers. The stamps used are correct harley font but I bet an acid test would tell a different story.

[pete reeves]

Jerry.

Exactly what I thought.

It’s a fantastic bike and I wish it was mine. There could be many reasons to explain why the number boss looks like it has been altered. But this factor needs to be taken into consideration when using this bike as proof of what was correct on a high number 47.

Pete Reeves 860

[Jerry Wieland]

Peter I noticed the serial number this summer when I was there for the Knucklehead Reunion that it looked a little different. I thought that the edges of the boss looked a little sharp. Script apppears to be about right but I do not like the boss.

Jerry

[Rubone]

What are you asking Pete??
The fact that it is neither the first nor the last??


Robbie

[Chris Haynes]

I have seen an original paint 1946 or 1947 with a front fender that had both widths of brace on it?

The 47 in the Museum is a great bike but would any body like to comment on its engine number?

Pete Reeves 860

Not all the bikes in the museum have never left the MoCo. Many were purchased or donated recently.

[pete reeves]

I have seen an original paint 1946 or 1947 with a front fender that had both widths of brace on it?

The 47 in the Museum is a great bike but would any body like to comment on its engine number?

Pete Reeves 860

[cdndewey]

Hi Perry!

How are you doing?

Is that hex head in the rear axle correct? If not this would support the statement of Chris regarding mixed parts in the very HD museum!

I was also shocked to learn some where repainted... Can that be true?

Kind regards,

Chris.

I to am confused about the rear axle. When reading Palmer's book he says the rear axle on a 47 is a round head, but my buddy, who is the second owner of a 47FL, VIN # in the low 5100's has a hex head rear axle. His bike was last plated in 53 but had been ridden around town for a few years after that unplated, then sat for 30 plus years until he bought it.

[Jerry Wieland]

Bob

I have no doubt that your fender with the mixed straps could have come from the factory that way. I have never had a fender like that but have seen them. A good indicator usually is quality of workmanship. Usually if it is done after the fact it definitely shows it. I think you might have a good theory on the short left over stock.

Also not all fender straps were preformed with rounded edges. There are a few war year bikes with fenders that use strap that are very obviously sheared from flatstock.

Jerry

[bobdo]

The only problem with that theory is that the edge of the braces is rolled round, not square cut.

Chris,
I don't understand what you mean. The braces have edges that are "slightly rolled" from the dies, the ends would be cut or stamped at the correct length. Earlier post, I was referring to the amount of pieces they might get from lengths of stock. It was just a thought.
Bob

[Chris Haynes]

Chris,
Your probably right about the surplus front fenders. So, I guess we will never know why some rear fenders had narrow flip braces. They probably had a large quantity left over like the front fenders. Perhaps, the short length was what was left over from cutting the longer pieces out of standard length of flat stock & they had more of them made up than the longer vertical pieces. It seems weird to me that some had wide & some narrow, especially late into 1947.
Bob

Bob,
The only problem with that theory is that the edge of the braces is rolled round, not square cut.