Editor's Note: Here's an amazing find. I enjoy the flexibility Bandit and Bikernet afford us motorcycle nuts. We can bring you a feature containing a letter from the contributor, his motorcycle tale, an official vehicle appraisal, words from the restoration expert, and our Bikernet Extreme Tech Chart. How's that for a feature?
In this case we also have shots of the bike in the snow, on a shop lift and being removed from the crate. It's an amazing bike delivered in an amazing feature. Enjoy. –Wilburn Roach
My name is Marc Frantz. I'm the guy that sent you those pictures of the copper chopper that you featured on your website a while back. Check His Bikernet Softail Feature.
I wanted to show you my latest bike, and see if you would be interested in having it on Bikernet.
It's a 1946 Harley Davidson Knucklehead. It is a 74 cu. in. low compression model “F”. Approximately 418 “F” models were produced that year. This mid to late production 1946 model has been restored from the ground up by Mr. Eldon Brown of Milestone Motorcycle Restorations in British Columbia. It's finished in Dove grey, and is simply immaculate!!
This gentleman restores Harleys for the Otis Chandler Museum, Guggenheim Museum and the Barber Motorsports Museum. I can't believe I found this guy!! www.milestonemotorcyclerestoration.com
It has all the original sheet metal, correct plastic kick pedal, plastic hand grips, etc. A very authentic and period correct restoration.
Hope you like it! Bikernet is awesome, and I can't start my morning without it!!
–Marc Frantz
PowerHouse Manager
Marc's Story: Born in the U.S.A. Resurrected in Canada
In today’s world of motorcycling, we are truly spoiled. Digital fuel management, ABS (anti-lock brakes), anti-dive technology, computer-designed frames, engines, suspension, tires, and now ladies & gentlemen, behold the era of electric motorcycles capable of keeping up with the best gasoline powered race bikes of our time.
So why the hell (everyone asks) did I just purchase a 63 year old motorcycle?? Hmmm, there’s no quick one-line answer to this question, which really made me do some soul searching.
I’m a card carrying, certified bike nut with a capital N. I have hundreds of bike magazines that I’ve read and collected since I was a kid, from Easyriders to Motorcyclist Magazine. Posters, pins, stickers, autographs, calendars, if it was about two wheels, I collected it. Bikes? I’ve had Yamaha’s, Suzuki’s, Harley’s BMW’s, Ducati’s, Honda’s. If I won the lottery big, I’d want to buy the Barber Motorsports Museum! I can only hope that heaven looks like Barber racetrack. It's amazing!
Having ridden so many machines in my lifetime, I can attest that I love them all. There is no such thing as a bad bike nowadays! The research & development that goes into the offerings we enjoy from all the brands today is phenomenal. Just around the corner, electric motorcycles are coming with companies like MotoCzysz, Brammo and Mission One leading the charge. Truly a great time to be alive in this golden age of motorcycles.
Today, it arrived!! A motorcycle that when it was manufactured, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin were sitting down to discuss the postwar reorganization of Europe in Yalta, Ukraine. It’s a 1946 Harley-Davidson ‘F’ Model Knucklehead, but this is not about the brand of bike. I could be talking about a Brough Superior, Excelsior Henderson, Indian, Crocker or any other ‘superbike’ that existed when your grandparents where children.
No electric start, but a kicker pedal. No fuel injection, but it has an ignition advance on the left handlebar. No anti-lock brakes, but drum brakes front & rear! No shocks, but springs up front and a spring in the seat post. Six Speed? Try a tank shift, three speed with a foot clutch! A headlight, brake light & horn. Compared to today’s bikes, young people would think this is Fred Flintstone’s bike.
For me, the allure of this bike is that it will shake, rattle & roll. It will leak oil where ever it's parked. It will not be able to hold its own in today’s traffic filled with self obsessed cell phone using, text messaging, paper reading, make-up applying, non turn signal using, 120 to 140 plus KPH average car drivers (as if today’s bikes can!).
It will be temperamental. It will leave me stranded occasionally. It will cut my hands and knuckles. It will spray oil on my boots & clothes. Pieces will fall off, if I’m not diligent in checking every nut and bolt before and after a ride. I will bitch and swear at it periodically, and for all of this, I will love it more than any other motorcycle I’ve ever owned!!
–Marc
mfrantz@parkwaypowerhouse.com
PARKWAY HONDA POWERHOUSE
25 Mobile Drive
Toronto, ON
M4A 1H5
Ph: 416.752.7800
Fx: 416.752.7808
www.parkwaypowerhouse.com
A NOTE FROM THE RESTORATION MASTERMIND:
1946 Harley Davidson Knucklehead. It is a 74 cu. in. low compression model “F”. Approximately 418 “F” models were produced that year. This mid to late production 1946 model has been restored from the ground up and finished in Dove grey. Has all original sheet metal, correct plastic kick pedal, plastic hand grips, etc. A very authentic and correct restoration.
1946 was the first was the first and only year for the 30 degree “bull neck” frame and the last year for the teardrop style tank emblems, plastic starter pedal, beehive style tail light, brown leather saddle and speedometer light switch.
Milestone Motorcycle Restoration
10275 Pilot Mountain Road
Prince George, British Columbia
V2K 5J3, Canada
Mr. Eldon Brown
Email: milestonemr@live.ca
Phone: (250) 962-6383
OFFICIAL APPRAISAL REPORT
General Condition
We understand that the owner requires an appraisal for insurance purposes. This bike has been restored completely by a professional classic bike specialist, Milestone Motorcycle Restorations in British Columbia. Every facet of the bike both internal and cosmetic have been brought back to “better than new” condition. The bike was originally intended for display in a museum and hence the restorer emphasised originality in the process.
Soft Trim
The bike is fitted with an original seat with tan leather.
Frame and Paint
The paint finish is new. The frame is painted in a black gloss material, the body panels and tank are in a gloss grey material. The grey areas have a number of dust spots in the finish. All the painted surfaces have been prepared by stripping to metal prior to refinishing. The fenders have excellent profile and good metal thickness. The tank has a very clean profile and smooth finish.
The tail light and head light have been refinished in black to match the frame. The front forks, crash bar and ancillary components have been painted to match the frame. The original grips for the handlebars and the kick pedal cover are in storage to protect from wear. These items are intended to be installed for show purposes only.
Mechanical
We understand that the engine and drive train are completely original except that the heads have been modified in order to be able to use unleaded gasoline. All facets of the drive train have been refinished to “better than new” condition. The wire wheels have been restored and rebuilt with new spokes. The rims are fitted with new “period look” Firestone radial tires. Every effort has been made to keep all mechanical and electrical components original.
Glass The head light and tail light lenses are in excellent, damage free condition.
Valuation This bike has been restored to Concours quality levels. Every facet of the bike is “better than new”. Knucklehead bikes built just after the war were manufactured in small quantities. We recommend that you insure your vehicle employing a 19A form appended to your insurance policy.
We value this motorcycle in the current retail market at $53,000.00 CDN, including taxes.
–Maurice Bramhall
President.
Maurice Bramhall & Associates
(a division of 899906 Ontario Ltd.)
(416)532-3637 Fax 537-4403
Bikernet.com Extreme Tech Chart
Regular Stuff
Owner: Marc Frantz
Bike Name: 1946 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead ‘F’ Model
City/State: Toronto, Canada
Builder: Mr. Eldon Brown; Milestone Motorcycle Restoration
City/state: Prince George, British Columbia
Company Info: Milestone Motorcycle Restoration
Address: 10275 Pilot Mountain Road,
Prince George, British Columbia, V2K-5J3, Canada
Phone: (250) 962-6383
Web site: http://www.milestonemotorcyclerestoration.com
E-mail: milestonemr@live.ca
Fabrication: Original H-D Stock This bike has been restored completely by a professional classic bike specialist, Milestone Motorcycle Restorations in British Columbia.
Manufacturing: Harley-Davidson.
Welding: Original H-D Stock
Machining: Original H-D Stock
Engine
Year: 1946 Knucklehead ‘F’ Model
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: ‘F’ Model
Displacement: 74 Cubic Inches / 1200cc. (Low Compression Model)
Builder or Rebuilder: Eldon Brown of Milestone Motorcycle Restorations.
Cases: Original H-D Stock
Case finish: Original H-D Black
Barrels: Original H-D Stock
Bore: Original H-D Stock
Pistons: Original H-D Stock
Barrel finish: Original H-D Stock
Lower end: Original H-D Stock
Rods: Original H-D Stock
Heads: Original H-D Stock
Head finish: Modified to accept unleaded fuel
Valves and springs: Original H-D Stock
Pushrods: Original H-D Stock
Cams: Original H-D Stock
Lifters: Original H-D Stock
Carburetion: Original H-D ‘Linkert’
Air cleaner: Original H-D
Exhaust: Original H-D
Mufflers: Original H-D
Transmission
Year: 1946 four-speed manual
Make: H-D
Gear configuration: Original H-D 4-Speed
Final drive: Original H-D (Chain)
Primary: Original H-D (Chain)
Clutch: Original H-D
Kicker: Original H-D Stock
Frame
Year: 1946 was the first and only year for the 30-degree “bull neck” frame
Make: H-D
Style or Model: The frame is an ‘F’ style model (Foot Shift).
Rake: Stock Original H-D, 30 degrees
Front End
Make: H-D Springer Front End
Model: ‘F’ Model with dampening system
Year: 1946
Length: Stock Original H-D
Sheet metal
Tanks: Original H-D, 3-Gallon fatbobs
Fenders: Original H-D
Oil tank: Original H-D Horseshoe
Paint
Sheet metal: Dove Grey (Period Correct Color for year of manufacture)
Base coat: Lacquer
Graphics: None
Frame: Black enamel
Special effects: None
Pinstriping: None
Wheels
Front
Make: H-D Original Stock (Spoke)
Size: 16-inch
Brake calipers: Original H-D Mechanical Drum
Tire: Firestone
Rear
Make: Original H-D Stock (Spoke)
Size: 16-inch
Brake calipers: Original Mechanical Drum
Pulley: Sprocket on Brake Drum & Chain
Tire: Firestone
Controls
Foot controls: H-D Original
Finish: Black
Master cylinder: All Mechanical
Handlebar controls: Original H-D
Finish: Black
Shifting: 4-Speed Tank Shift, Foot Clutch
Kickstand: Rear Fender center stand and kick stand on left
Electrical
Ignition: Original H-D points and condensor
Ignition switch: Console Mounted (keyed)
Coils: Original H-D 6-Volt
Regulator: Original H-D
Charging: 6 Volt, 3-brush generator
Wiring: Original H-D
Headlight: Original H-D
Taillight: Original H-D Beehive
Accessory lights: None
Electrical accessories: None
Battery: Original H-D Style
What’s Left
Seat: Original Leather Solo H-D
Mirror(s): None
Gas caps: Original H-D
Handlebars: Original H-D
Grips: Original H-D
Oil filter: Original H-D
Oil lines: Original H-D
Fuel filter: Original HD
Fuel Lines: Original H-D
Throttle: Original H-D Internal
Throttle cables: Original H-D
Fasteners: Original H-D Parkerized
Specialty items:
Original Plastic Grips and Kicker Pedal, which is more rare than the bike itself. Was told that they are probably the only original set in existence. They are in a box.
Everything on this bike is period correct, right down to the asbestos bearing covers.
