1947 Knuckle Head

[51FL]

Well guys i just got a deal of a lifetime on a 47 Knuckle Basket case , this aint gonna be 100 pt but a fun bike , just trying to identify the authenticity of some parts and value , How can i identify stock knuckle tanks , and how do i identify an oem muffler

[Chris Haynes]

Well guys i just got a deal of a lifetime on a 47 Knuckle Basket case , this aint gonna be 100 pt but a fun bike , just trying to identify the authenticity of some parts and value , How can i identify stock knuckle tanks , and how do i identify an oem muffler

'47 Knuck tanks are set up for the two light dash. The fuel nipple on the right side tank is about 2 inches from the inside edge of the tank. And of course it will have the emblem mounts for the '47-'50 emblem unless they have been removed.
The original muffler will have small text stamped on the bottom and you can't look through it from one end to the other as you can with most re pops.
Pictures speak more volumes than words.

[51FL]

I shoulda specifyed the tanks are 41-46 , and the muffler must be oem , it has been sitting for sometime now... ,I will try to get pics soon ,but what is a major flaw on aftermarket tanks that differ from oem so i can tell the differenceq

[Chris Haynes]

Repop tanks aren't the right shape. They look more like Panhead tanks.

[cdndewey]

One big flaw with aftermarket tanks is the lack of emblem mounting tabs. There were quite a few variations to reproduce so you will see aftermarket tanks with plain sides.

[51FL]

Ok i will get pics tmrw , in hopes to identify these

[tomcat1]

FL,
These are '47 tanks. But look at the gap towards the rear. See how they are uniform and symmetrical. The repops don't/can't seem to get this detail correct. To me, it's a dead give away.



Here's your typical repop tank. See how jagged and irregular the gap is?

[Lonnie]

Not to hijack this thread, but be aware that in order to use the repop replica tanks that rework is needed in two areas. First, the area that has been pointed out at the "gap" where the seat T would be. Second, the area around the dash area will require modification. Nothing that a little heat, a hammer, a welder and some bondo would not cure. Also, they may require use of the gas shutoff alignment tool to get that working correctly. But the shape, as Chris pointed out, is not correct. These tanks, once modified, would fool most folks but not us discriminating types.