49 el

[t-bone]

hello everyone, I,m a new member I found a 49el a whileback that had been sitting since late 60s .I,m 2nd owner it is original paint congo green but it has hydraglide on upper fork cover and cigar muffler. low miles vin#49el64** the older gent i bought it from swears it came from dealer like it is it came with original key and keychain with 48 wheatpenny inside small horseshoe shaped medallion from local dealer Ive been told muffler and cover are incorrect.not changing them just curious thanks t-b

[exeric]

'49 is a great year. Can you post some pictures. By the way, where did you come up with t-bone?

[t-bone]

49el

I'll try to post pics in near future. not because to busy just not real handy on confusers yet. as for name got tagged with it in grammer school more years ago than i want to think about.

[T. Cotten]

I recently opened a fossil tin of Congo Green, and to my shock (and another present) it was fresh as the day it was made. Such a smell! Only a thumbprint came out of it.

So what's the point?
None.
Since modern paints cannot match it, ever.

Please preserve your original paint machine! The finish, no matter what the condition, is rare and impossible to reproduce.
Beware that any exposure to digestive modern fuels may endanger it.

....Cotten
PS: My modern "Burgundy" '49 looks suspiciously like "Indian Red".

[bmh]

The muffler is definetly incorrect, should be a rocket fin or "Flash Gordon" type. Here's some pics of an original 49. ser #49FL95XX. It has the optional 49 only chrome muffler cover ( the chrome is really, really gone so it's hard to see). It also has a Hydra-Glide labeled fork tin but as you can see in the photo the patina on the front tin does not match that of the top clamp cover or tube covers, it is too shiny compared to the others. I believe it to be a replacement as most likely is yours. The rest of the machine appears to be very authentic.

[c.o.]

That's one sweet pan Brian!!!

[jwl]

bmh, According to the 49 order blank the muffler cover was stainless steel, not chrome. Are you sure yours was chromed?

[t-bone]

thanks for the info . I,m not restoring just preserving nice old window to the past thanks again t-b

[bmh]

Went back and checked the order blank and you are correct, it lists stainless. Unfortunatley this one is not mine, it turned up for judging this year at Rhinebeck and since we found it interesting we took quite a few pics of it. Here are some better ones of the muffler cover. It appears to have been plated or perhaps even painted at one time as you can see patches of it left. I've never seen stainless discolor this bad so I'm not sure if it is or not. Look at the pic and tell me what you think.

[Chris Haynes]

Ive been told muffler and cover are incorrect.not changing them just curious thanks t-b[/QUOTE]

The cover could be correct as they were phased in during the 1949 model year.
The muffler is another story. Is it a Harley-Davidson muffler or an aftermarket accessory? H-D mufflers are marked H-D with the part number on the back side. It was not unusual for dealers to put accessories on new bikes.

[jwl]

The cover's shape looks correct but it surely doesn't look stainless. I wouldn't be able to make a judgement from the small pictures. Interesting bike, nonetheless.

[t-bone]

Thanks again everyone. Pulled muffler off this morning, no stamp. no welded seam. Must be period accessory. On other note, primary inspection cover screws are at 6 & 12 instead of 3 & 9. But primary cover patina or rust as you may identical to inner primary. Trying to send pictures of bike after cleaning up.

Bmh, Will send you Cd of pre clean up Pics. If you tell me where to send.

PS. Hey chris met you last year at elcamino or long beach swap meets, with Jed from Phoenix.

[Chris Haynes]

As you can see in this photo the factory photos of the 1949 are actually that of a 1948 machine. The 1950 photos show the 6/12 position and I am sure it is correct for your mid production 1949,

[t-bone]

test pic

[t-bone]

pic 2