Water Cooled Knucklehead Parts

[dlrides]

I know someone that is on a serious search for Drake water cooled knucklehead parts, pieces, complete engine, etc.

These were made by Drake Engineering during the 30's and 40's, and used in midget racers.

Supposedly, a gentleman by the name of Hans Meulenbroek had a bike with one mounted in a frame at Oley PA this april. Anyone know how to contact him ?

Does anyone have any tips as to where to look or who to contact ?

Thanks,

Don C

Photo of the bike at Oley PA

[Chris Haynes]

15 years ago I could have helped. I ran across a gentleman in Orange County, CA who had all the original molds and patterns for the Drake Knuckleheads. He was contemplating casting them from aluminum with steel liners. He had quite a collection of Drake motors. He even had one with billet steel crankcases as the big inch Drake motors would rip the motor mounts off of the aluminum cases.
At this point in time I am sure he has past and I have lost his address.

[fabercycle]

Don,

I think you got your information wrong. Hans is a good friend of mine, he lived here in Michigan, for a couple years and is now in California. I don't think he was at Oley in 2009, and unless he bought one since I last talked to him.......has never owned a Drake knuckle........although I'm sure he would love to have one. Anyway, he sells on ebay under user name hanspep

I'm sure you can contact him that way. If he owns that bike you need to tell him to keep in touch with his friends better.

[Chris Haynes]

The water cooled Drakes were not for motorcycles. Motorcycles are air cooled. The water cooled Drakes were for midget racer cars. Huge 120" displacements made them brutal to stock crankcases. Most Drake engines were in home made or heavily reinforced cases.
John Eagles is a senior member of the AMCA living in the City Of Orange, Orange County, CA. He may be able to help you track down the Drake stuff I mentioned. He can be a bit gruff but I am sure he will talk to you.

[dlrides]

Don,

I think you got your information wrong. Hans is a good friend of mine, he lived here in Michigan, for a couple years and is now in California. I don't think he was at Oley in 2009, and unless he bought one since I last talked to him.......has never owned a Drake knuckle........although I'm sure he would love to have one. Anyway, he sells on ebay under user name hanspep

I'm sure you can contact him that way. If he owns that bike you need to tell him to keep in touch with his friends better.

Thanks for the info !

I got the Hans name and photo from a post on another site, sounds like the info was wrong :

"From Hans Meulenbroek, a certified knucklehead specialist, in South East Michigan. I got these pictures of the DRAKE bike shown here earlier.

Hans also told me a thing I did not know, "the bike is water cooled" is that wierd or what....."

[dlrides]

The water cooled Drakes were not for motorcycles. Motorcycles are air cooled. The water cooled Drakes were for midget racer cars. Huge 120" displacements made them brutal to stock crankcases. Most Drake engines were in home made or heavily reinforced cases.
John Eagles is a senior member of the AMCA living in the City Of Orange, Orange County, CA. He may be able to help you track down the Drake stuff I mentioned. He can be a bit gruff but I am sure he will talk to you.

Thanks Chris !