Another what is this?

[48hdbob1]

The narrower bars are the subject of my questions. I was told they are early Knuckle bars, '36-'37. They are pictured with standard offset bars for comparison. Also note the difference in the collars in picture two.

[Chris Haynes]

The bars on top are for offset forks. 1946 and later. The '36-'37 bars are about an inch longer and set much lower than the later bars.

[48hdbob1]

The bars on top are for offset forks. 1946 and later. The '36-'37 bars are about an inch longer and set much lower than the later bars.

I know the bars on top are for offset, I pictured them for comparison to the bars I question, all stated above. What about the difference in the collars in the first picture? The inline bars pictured are brazed. Maybe they were modified at some time?

[Sargehere]

I think by the collars that they're early bars (on the right in your first photo), also, early bars were brazed, not arc welded. But someone wrenched them to fit his favored riding position at one time. The bars in John Nowak's hands on p.158 of the 1940-47 Knucklehead Service Manual show the "chamfered" collars, and they're "early."

[48hdbob1]

I think by the collars that they're early bars (on the right in your first photo), also, early bars were brazed, not arc welded. But someone wrenched them to fit his favored riding position at one time. The bars in John Nowak's hands on p.158 of the 1940-47 Knucklehead Service Manual show the "chamfered" collars, and they're "early."

Yep, I savvy that brazed are the early ones. I think they are speedster bars that were bent as you say to the owner's preference. I wonder what year those collars changed? Have another set of inline brazed speedster bars that the center section is slightly different. Thanks for the great answers. Bob

[Sargehere]

As Chris said, the '36 and '37 bars were bent differently, lower, than even the later "Speedster bars." If you consider what you have "raw material," they can be brought back. Tom Faber is the expert on handlebars. You might have something there that can be bent back to '36-'37 Knuckle specs. He's the man to ask.

[Chris Haynes]

The '36/'37 bars are also longer.

[48hdbob1]

As Chris said, the '36 and '37 bars were bent differently, lower, than even the later "Speedster bars." If you consider what you have "raw material," they can be brought back. Tom Faber is the expert on handlebars. You might have something there that can be bent back to '36-'37 Knuckle specs. He's the man to ask.

I'm pretty sure they are speedster bars that were"customozed". I'll probably send them to Tom and have him use the original stuff and build a set of standard bars. thanks for the help.-Bob

[46EL]

Bob- First off of all the springer bars I have either early brazed or lateer offset they all have the smaller ramped style collar to the right in your photo. Even the one set of older repop Bars that I kept are a poorly made version of that smaller collar. I have about 10 sets of early Brazed Bars here that I have collected over the years. NOT ONE set of Bars matches another in my collection. I have what I believe are Standards, Speedsters, Pullbacks, Westerns, Knee Knockers and no two match each other. Some are almost alike but shorter or longer versions. I even gave Tom Faber a set of early brazed bars that were bent and twisted like a pretzel and told him "make something out of them like Standards if you can for me" for me and they don't match another set in my collection. I believe they made different ones for Servicars and another different Version for Side-Car or Side-Van Models. What you have there might be something original but something you have not seen yet or figured out what they came off of? Another good question to someone who has the early parts manual is are there different part numbers for bars for Big Twin and then 45's?? John P.

[Jerry Wieland]

John P I have noticed almost the same thing. I have a bunch of springer bars and none seem to match exactly. I have also noticed that them little "collars" seem to vary alot -- almost as if they were freehand made and not traced on a lathe. I cannot explain it.

Jerry

[46EL]

Jerry- I wonder if HD made their own Bars? I know Indian had lots of jobbers who made many of the gingerbread items that adorned their machines. Someone with some knowledge about H-D could shed some light on what they did or did not make over the years. Jp.