Photo: Sam Bendall/Pipeburn
If you have been watching us over the past week or so, then you noticed we dedicated this month to iconic American bike builder Harley-Davidson. Our extensive coverage of all things Harley, available here, includes everything from bikes selling at auction to new model launches and corporate affairs.
In general, we try to keep things contemporary, meaning that every piece of Harley news we bring you is either happening or about to. But from time to time, we come across something so extraordinary it’s impossible not to talk about, even if it is no longer a fresh piece of news.
Like this custom Harley Knucklehead from 1947 that bears a subtle resemblance to a decades-old motorcycle few still remember, but one that way back in 1937 set a world motorcycle speed record, ridden by racer Joe Petrali.
Completed at the end of a two-year build by a guy named Jordon Dickson, it placed eighth in the freestyle class at the 2018 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Cologne, Germany, and won the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.
The bike, nicknamed SourKraut, uses only the knucklehead 74 cubic-inch engine, rebuilt to factory specification, and the VL fork of the original bike. The rest, from the frame to the internal throttle handlebars, is custom made. That includes the fuel tank, a beautiful piece of hardware made to look like it’s a split one, but is actually a one-piece affair.
“I’ve always been a fan of early factory race bikes. There’s just something about the stripped-down, purpose-built nature of them that I’ve always gravitated towards,” said in a statement posted on the Pipeburn website by Jordon Dickson.
Among the factory race bikes he mentions is the OHV Harley this build honors, ridden by Petrali in 1937 to set the speed record of 136.183 mph on sand, in Daytona Beach.
Like this custom Harley Knucklehead from 1947 that bears a subtle resemblance to a decades-old motorcycle few still remember, but one that way back in 1937 set a world motorcycle speed record, ridden by racer Joe Petrali.
Completed at the end of a two-year build by a guy named Jordon Dickson, it placed eighth in the freestyle class at the 2018 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Cologne, Germany, and won the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.
The bike, nicknamed SourKraut, uses only the knucklehead 74 cubic-inch engine, rebuilt to factory specification, and the VL fork of the original bike. The rest, from the frame to the internal throttle handlebars, is custom made. That includes the fuel tank, a beautiful piece of hardware made to look like it’s a split one, but is actually a one-piece affair.
“I’ve always been a fan of early factory race bikes. There’s just something about the stripped-down, purpose-built nature of them that I’ve always gravitated towards,” said in a statement posted on the Pipeburn website by Jordon Dickson.
Among the factory race bikes he mentions is the OHV Harley this build honors, ridden by Petrali in 1937 to set the speed record of 136.183 mph on sand, in Daytona Beach.
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