Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson FL 1200 Type 74 Knucklehead
Harley Davidson FL 1200 Type 74 Knucklehead
. .1946 Harley-Davidson 1200ccKnucklehead Type 74 In its 90 year history, Harley-Davidson could never havebeen accused of being technically adventurous. But this conservative outlook hassaved the Milwaukee company from making disastrous mistakes. In the earlyTwenties, Harley-Davidson became the world's biggest motorcycle manufacturer,with an annual capacity of 35,000 machines.Consistent PolicySince 1909, the firm's hallmark has been the big vee-twin, a policy that hasensured the survival of Harley-Davidson when all the other American motorcyclemanufacturers have fallen by the wayside. In 1936 the company introduced thevalve-in-head 61 cubic inch. (100cc) Type EL, nicknamed "Knucklehead" because ofthe shape of its rockerbox castings.
Conservative Specs
The Knucklehead boasted such features as a four-speed gearbox with hand changeand food clutch, a double cradle frame and pressure lubrication. After the war,America (which had imported only a handful of European motorcycles before thewar) discovered the charms of the light, fast British twins. In 1946, Americanbuilt just 20,000 motorcycles-and imported 9,000, of which 8,000 were English!To respond to this new scenario, Harley offered the Type 74, a 1200cc derivativeof the prewar Knucklehead, which saw the light of day in 1941. It remained inproduction only until 1948.Fuel System: single carburetorTransmission: four speed hand-change gearbox; chain final driveSuspension: (front) "Springer forks"; (rear)rigidBrakes: (front) drum; (rear) drumWheels: balloon tires (optional)Weight: 560lbMaximum Speed: 110 mph