1937 Harley Davidson UL Flathead
Engine no. 37UL6906
Editor’s Note: Here’s another chunk of H-D history captured from the recent Bonham’s Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction Catalog, augmented with Bob T. Collection vintage images. The bright red image, is an actual photo of the Auction bike. We will try to grab the actual sale price.–Wilburn Roach
At first flatheads seem like a step backward compared to higher-horsepower overhead-valve designs. But out in the real world, a flatty’s broad spread of torque, less clattery operation and cheaper buy-in continued to win friends. Certainly Indian – every model a flathead – wasn’t complaining as America began to shake off the Great Depression and buy motorcycles once more.
Starting with the D-series, 45-cubic-inch Harley-Davidson flatheads served the company well, too. In production for the some 45 years, they were used as police bikes, mail carriers, military mounts, tow vehicles, race winners and, of course, reliable everyday riders.
In 1937 the VL-series of flatheads was superseded by the upgraded U-series (ending in 1948), which got a stronger twin-downtube frame, a recirculating oil system and a four-speed transmission, previously an option. Gone, too, was the olive-green paint seemingly left over from an old Army contact. Harley celebrated the country’s increasing optimism with a wide array of paint schemes.
This bike, powered by the 74-cubic-inch (1200cc) version of the H-D flathead motor, is an older restoration done to a very high standard by marque specialist Mike Egan. With its Art Deco styling and period graphics, it really is a showy piece with lots of crowd-pleasing brightwork, a good example of Harley’s best flathead.
Estimate: $18,000 – 25,000
