Custom 103cc Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Motorcycle & Powersports News

2022-08-13 07:13:53 By : Mr. Tom Xu

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8 Ways Motorcycle and Powersports Dealerships Can Manage Demand with Speed & Efficiency

Demand for motorcycle and powersports dealerships is at an all-time high, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to make a sale. Inventory shortages and delays have created challenges that only add to a growing list of problems many consumers see with today’s motorcycle and powersports buying experience. Find out how you can uplevel your dealership experience in this free webinar. We’ll cover 8 ways motorcycle and powersports dealerships can manage demand with speed and efficiency, meeting customer demands and helping you make the sale.

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to:

Speakers Greg Jones, Content Director, Power & Performance Group

Reach out to Greg Jones at (330)670-1234 ext: 272 for general listing questions. You may also visit our contact us page and submit your inquiry with your questions and contact info.

Reach out to Greg Jones at (330)670-1234 ext: 272 for general listing questions. You may also visit our contact us page and submit your inquiry with your questions and contact info.

Motorcycle & Powersports News offers three unique newsletters designed to deliver business intelligence to powersports dealers and other industry professionals who sell and service motorcycles, scooters, UTVs, ATVs, electric motorcycles, karts and more in the United States.   Subscribe now to receive the MPN Newsletter, the MPN Off-Road Newsletter and the MPN V-Twin newsletter directly in your inbox every week. If a powersports dealer carries it, MPN covers it. Dealers have come to count on Motorcycle & Powersports News as their No. 1 resource for researching products and services in the industry.

Motorcycle & Powersports News offers three unique newsletters designed to deliver business intelligence to powersports dealers and other industry professionals who sell and service motorcycles, scooters, UTVs, ATVs, electric motorcycles, karts and more in the United States.   Subscribe now to receive the MPN Newsletter, the MPN Off-Road Newsletter and the MPN V-Twin newsletter directly in your inbox every week. If a powersports dealer carries it, MPN covers it. Dealers have come to count on Motorcycle & Powersports News as their No. 1 resource for researching products and services in the industry.

Walking the show floor at the 2022 AIMExpo, we came across this stunning Harley sitting in front of the Tucker booth. We got to chat with James Simonelli about the bike, which belongs to his friend, and found out it’s a custom-built Knucklehead and it’s our Ride of the Week.Click Here to Read MoreAdvertisement

This Harley-Davidson Knucklehead has both the cool factor and the convenience factor; a classic bike with modern innovations that make it a more-than-manageable ride. It even features a few surprises within the paint work. Check it out!

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This Harley-Davidson Knucklehead has both the cool factor and the convenience factor; a classic bike with modern innovations that make it a more-than-manageable ride. It even features a few surprises within the paint work. Check it out!

The renowned Knucklehead engine might just be the one powerplant in Harley-Davidson’s lineup that will never be forgotten. It was produced from 1936 to 1947, and despite being out of production for 75 years and succeeded by the Panhead and Shovelhead, the Knucklehead still maintains a loyal fanbase who build astounding machines around it.

The engines were available in 61cc and 74cc at the time, making them very reliable, but lacking some power in regard to engines that would be released later. This year at AIMExpo, we were able to check out a custom Harley-Davidson Knucklehead that featured a 103cc engine. And while it might not have been a completely faithful reproduction, the modern additions make it a comfortable and reliable ride while still retaining that classic Harley look.

The bike in question is owned by a man named Stu Cantera, but we were able to get the scoop on it via his friend James Simonelli. We met Simonelli at the Tucker Powersports booth, as he’s the manager of one of their V-twin brands, Twin Power. Twin Power supplies aftermarket parts and accessories for American V-Twin bikes, everything from yesterday’s old school to tomorrow’s classic. It’s easy to see why a vintage Knucklehead was on display front and center at their booth.

“It’s S&S based with S&S cylinder heads and cases,” Simonelli told us. “It’s got the generator-style right-hand case, and the cool thing is that it’s got a more modern ’70-and-later left-hand case, which allows it to have an alternator charging system.”

Much of the motorcycle was altered to create a more user-friendly experience, including a three-inch open-belt drive and a modern five-speed soft tail transmission. JayBrake billet forward controls and Hawg Halters four-piston billet calipers add even more modern convivences to the package.

“Everybody wants to ride an old Knuckle, but obviously it’s a chore to keep an old bike running,” Simonelli says. “This one has a modern charging system, electric start, and a modern clutch, so it’s got a cool factor and a convenience factor.

“The custom exhaust is a one-off piece. Those pipes were hand-welded, ground and plated, and the guy did an amazing job on them. If you look at them, they’re practically seamless.”

Aesthetically, the bike isn’t lacking in that regard either. A rigid frame allows for a tight ride and travel, thanks to a lot of stretch and rake. The 180mm tires on the back and attractive 60-spoke wheels make it a sight when in movement.

We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention the sleek, yet subtle paint job. What might look like a clean, yet basic black paint job transforms when you get closer. Ghosted-in details on the gas tank and front fender draw your attention and make for a more intricate piece upon second view.

If you have a motorcycle, ATV, UTV, snowmobile or jet ski you’d like to feature in MPN’s Ride of the Week series, please email MPN Content Director Greg Jones at [email protected]

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Ride of the Week:  Custom 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead

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