The Genius Engineering Of Harley-Davidson's Knucklehead

Dale's Wheels Through Time Museum, located in Maggie Valley, NC, features over 375 American motorcycles, unique cars, and transportation history.
For more information about the museum, visit www.wheelsthrou...
To learn more about "The Drive for History," visit www.wheelsthrou...
To purchase tickets for your chance to win our Annual Raffle Bike, visit www.wheelsthrou...
Like these videos and want more exclusive content? Become a member of "Dale's Channel" at www.daleschanne...
Facebook.com/wheelsthroughtime
wheels through time

[@aishayana4298]

Matt, Love to watch you build your engines. Your Dad would be so proud of his son and how he’s gave bike people what they love to see. Great job and well done. Many thanks !😊

[@jbradkilpatrick]

One of the best channels on KZbin. Keep them coming.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Thanks for watching!

[@Fezzler61]

Such a joy to watch the careful attention to detail.

[@calysagora3615]

This is the most beautiful engine ever designed, full stop. Been dreaming of a Knucklehead bobber ever since I had to sell my WLA.

[@sicfifty3401]

I'm drooling over that beautiful work

[@fidelcatsro6948]

offers some kleenex tissues..

[@easycrider7453]

Love all the knowledge you share and I gain, thankyou. As I watch this I imagine my dad working on his knuckle heads after he returned from WWII as an aircraft mechanic.

[@t.s.racing]

Great job Matt. That Toyota sealant is excellent and I've used the Honda Bond for Harley bottom end cases for decades, never ever a leak. Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha bond are all the same. Cheaper and way easier to find than Three Bond, and gives the EXACT same result. I do lap my case halves together as well.

[@johnmcclain3887]

I retired a few years ago, and used "hondabond" since about 95, as you say, don't leak a bit, and stay together for tens of thousands.

[@av8rshane491]

Why do I love the Knucklehead so much, maybe because I might have a little a little knucklehead in me! Always had motorcycles throughout my life but airplanes were my main passion and got to fly golden era of aviation aircraft which remind me of the old Harleys, big bore, lopping idle, smoke belching on start, low rev radial engines. My definition of a great day would be to jump on a Knucklehead, ride to the airport and go fly a 1928 Curtiss Robin or Stearman. Fell in love with the knucklehead the first time I saw one and what a great example Matt’s putting together. Love this channel Matt’s passion is obvious and he learned from the best!

[@BennyTygohome]

I really like your shop and especially the museum. It's incredible what your family has in motorcycle history.

[@2000tc88]

This is just GOLD. I cant wait to see more of this build. I have just bought a 46 so I am trying to find all I can about the Knuckleheads. Many thanks for sharing.

[@tomb.8485]

Lucky you!

[@2000tc88]

@@tomb.8485 yeah I'm pretty happy. 👍

[@pameladunn7346]

a wealth of information ... and a gift of sharing that knowledge "awesome"

[@thumpershd]

Fantastic! Love the care and precision you put into every rebuild. Thanks for showing the step by step Matt!

[@lewismocaby3646]

One of my favorite videos so far. Still have a little bit of tig welding to finish on my front exhaust side but almost to this same point myself. Totally agree with the number of hours it takes to assemble one of these correctly. Spent way too long straightening spring cups and repairing and replacing the oil lines on them. Keep up the great work.

[@kingsoutdoors4379]

Words can't describe how much satisfaction and knowledge I get out of your videos, in hopes of building myself a bike named after My Late Wife Harriet who passed a year ago. a R.N of 22 years.... I'm 52 and I just want to be able to Ride for a couple years while I'm still able. Lost everything, became homeless than lost Her..... Me riding an old harley is my last dream... Some how some way .... Pretty sure it will be a panhead...... Can only imagine what it must be like to own an old knuckle 😊 Thank You Sir ...God Bless

[@rustyshackleford309]

The second you pulled out the Toyota seal packing, I knew you were truly one of the special techs haha. I love that stuff.

[@tomb.8485]

That will be something I never forget. Along with my Harley, I have two Toyotas. Had more Toyotas in the past and never had an oil leak with hundreds of thousands of miles on them.

[@justingreen4450]

Thanks for taking all the time and energy to work on my new bike. I really appreciate it. See you in November.

[@anthonymiller8989]

Susan & Tony here, Vary nice work , making dad so proud every day. Sure hope you pass this on to the next generation. Thanks

[@mlienert7]

Thanks for letting the world enjoy motorcycles with you. All the best from Australia 👍🇦🇺🤠

[@actung4307]

I love these videos. You are so knowledgeable and present information in such an easy way. Keep up the great work!

[@ashtonmariefranklin1981]

I love old technology and the history behind it. Even since as a kid I loved the Harley-Davidson Knucklehead engine. Something about it has always drawn my to it. The beauty of it's design and the iconic sound it makes.

[@FeatheredDino]

What are the odds I'd specifically search for this channel, and you just uploaded your first video on days, mere seconds ago lol

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe and turn the bell on, and you'll be the first to see every video.

[@Chuck-vv3wu]

What precision and meticulous work done on the knuckle,great job! It’s a shame I live down under, I would have bought a few tickets, Great job Matt.

[@thinman8621]

Haven't owned a Harley in years but I like these videos. Thanks

[@johnmcclain3887]

That's a beautiful set of heads. I worked on a knuckle Arlen Ness built in the early seventies, when I was stationed out in Hawaii, at a shop I wrenched in for three years. It was a 93 inch Magneson blown belt driven with a sportster tranny in one of his first frames. I did the valves several times absent a new set of guides that were worn out, at a time in my life I didn't realize I could make guides, so redid a bad job several times just to fire it up for a show. I used Kibblewhite valves most of the years I built engines, those heads look pristine, gorgeous going together like that. I hope I get to hear it fire up. Thanks for showing this build.

[@mconfluence]

I think those are the best looking heads for a older Harley Davidson engine. Great detailed video. Keep up the great work and video's.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Definitely. That chrome knuckle/ skull design is a knock-out.

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

Back in the mid seventies, Arlen Ness built a 93 inch knuckle with a sportster tranny and a Kieth Magnuson blower on a Northern California style chassis. It was at a shop I part-timed as a Marine in Kaneohe, Hawaii. It was wicked fast and stuck a valve just about every time it ran. A lot of fun to work on and ride.

[@browngreen933]

So true about old Bill Harley's genius in the Knucklehead. They carried the Knucklehead genius though the Evolution motor. Only with the TC-88 did they become deviant and off-the-wall.

[@JESUS-POTENTATE]

Showing this assembly is a great thing you are doing. It is extremely helpful to so many who want to build a knuckle head RIGHT. THANK YOU..

[@paulmartin8212]

How cool your teaching us about the evolution of horsepower. Weather it's a bike, a car, truck or airplane as the engineers figured out how to make a better "air pump" the horsepower rose. I enjoy your channel and hope to visit sometime.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

We hope to meet you one day.

[@Patriot-up2td]

Thanks for letting us sit in with you. That was really interesting to watch!

[@billmillar7234]

Was down to see the museum this Spring... wonderful time.... could have spent days.....love the 37.....I did buy tickets!!!......the staff was fun and knowledgeable..... recommend it as a must see

[@larskristiansen9158]

Its much love for a great motor to be found here. Lovely!

[@MarkBoese]

Beautiful. I am coming to Pigeon Forge in September, and will make time to see your museum. SO looking forward to it.

[@coreyelmendorf6335]

Dang... Matt. Awesome. Love the details and information you provide.

[@Handskemager]

Great video! I’ve always loved the Knucklehead over all the others

[@philly2x]

I appreciate the amount of knowledge that is exuded during these videos.

[@Nowherenotime]

FYI The gasket sealer by Toyota is made by LocTite /Permatex as Ultra Black , Honda and Nissan is Ultra Grey and for everyone else Ultra Blue .

[@markwhitney9175]

Great explanation on assembly Matt.

[@jeffboudman9305]

That’s more like art than mechanics. Beautiful work!

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Your knowledge and attention to detail is very appreciated! I think your museum would be one of the few reasons I would go to the States. What a great tutorial on the Knucklehead...Thanks! This is gonna be an amazing engine. ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@rjnation5042]

Always amazes me how many guys have that Toyota gasket goo in there workshop, it's brilliant stuff, Rj in Oz

[@fidelcatsro6948]

Scotty Kilmer liked this comment!

[@cameronlawrence1254]

Brilliant as usual! Learn a lot that’s for sure.

[@americanbornwalkaway9110]

Very Interesting to watch and Learn LOVE that Bike

[@aishayana4298]

Nice job on the heads Matt !😊

[@flyknotrancher4158]

Fingers crossed for the win!

[@maxdavies5776]

Nice workmanship. Man knows his bikes.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Amazing design......Thanks Matt....Shoe🇺🇸

[@talesfromthescrypt]

Just found you on bikes and beards, need a new channel to binge love this already

[@yahweh1x543]

I like coating my gaskets with yamabond or copper spray. I'm going to try visiting the museum this fall! I've driven past it hundreds of times never realizing it was there.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

We can't wait to have you!

[@leelarson2655]

I love to watch mat . How he intelligent person about motorcycles. Thank you. I love motorcycles .but I am disabled with cerebral Palsy so I can not ride one. I am trying to come over thank you again

[@steveschneider3872]

Love these vids.

[@KRAVER_]

Thanks for sharing , Great Video !!

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Thanks for watching!

[@joeoregan170]

Great channel love from Australia

[@davidbaldwin1591]

I respect the clean space all the way. Still, it's amazing that mechanics built them in the grubby little shacks we used years ago.

[@Scoodee17]

Great way to spend my work break 👍

[@Maxtowers71]

haha same here!!!

[@clarkbabin9799]

I'd love to sit with you and work on an engine. You explain everything so well it was almost like I was there.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

That's the mission, to preserve and educate! Thanks for watching.

[@ІмяПрізвище-л5в]

I hope to visit your museum. From Ukraine.

[@tenlittleindians]

You mentioned it's a oil pump that pumps the oil to the rocker boxes and that I understand; it's the vacuum part I find never got explained. I always thought most Harley Heads had return oil passages that worked by gravity. And that Toyota schmoo sounds nice in theory but am I going to miss that smell of "Indian Head" brand gasket sealer lingering around even longer than the stains it leaves on my fingers?

[@NBSV1]

It has a second stage to the pump that pulls the oil back out and pumps it back to the tank. If it doesn’t seal right it can’t suck the oil back out as well. As I understand it the vacuum box is where the oil collects to get sucked back up.

[@mattwalksler]

A mechanical breather valve uses crankcase pressure to pull oil out of the valve spring cups, through the rocker box, then it gravity feeds back town the pushrod tubes, through the tapper blocks and cam cover, into the sip cavity then back through the oil pump and back to the tank. Thanks for watching the channel! We appreciate your support!!

[@HarleyGeezer1954]

Counting the days to be there.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Come on, we're ready for you!

[@bikesandacreage8885]

Great stuff!

[@darwinortiz6394]

Great video.

[@dutchy213]

This was great 👍🏿

[@backwoodscommonsense1578]

Since lapping valves with compound puts unnecessary premature wear on the valve face & seat, why aren’t you using non drying Prussian blue to check the face to seat seal then perform a vacuum test instead? Is the seat meeting the valve in the upper 1/3 of the valve face & with a width of .032”? Does making a back angling cut on the upper edge of the valve face help (like the 3 angling seat cut) to create more curvature so the air/fuel mixture remains a mist for more complete burning & less condensation? I ask as I’ve used this method on an evolution engine with some success.

[@offgridoldfart8110]

Knuckles are the most beautiful rocker boxes of all Harley engines even though I'm a pan head fan.

[@waynecreech]

Thanks Matt, My dream bike is a knuck....

[@trepathy1]

Beautiful

[@dennymcfastlane8530]

At 3:54 Obviously Matt has never seen a Tatro Machine Shop video~~hahaha.

[@timdavis8154]

Love it.

[@laishlaish3824]

Sure miss working on the old flathead motors. Just 1 question; where did you get that "speed ratchet" to tighten it all down ? 😎

[@excessivefarce2808]

awesome awesome awesome video

[@kennethwise7108]

I'm going to put 100,000 miles on it the day I take possession of it, glad it's done to PERFECTION!! 👍 Thanks Matt!

[@owensbama1923]

An a plus awesome job.

[@maxdavies5776]

Could the blow out valve be used with a sump syringe to redo the vacume pressure on the oil system also matt.?

[@lpd1snipe]

My father, who rode knuckleheads said there was a lot of oiling problems with the 1936 to 39 models.

[@nh_highlander1985]

Knucklehead is the motor...30's technology was supreme!

[@RedHotChilliMe]

Incredible. 🇬🇧🥇🧐

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Get your tickets to win this 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead here >> wheelsthroughtime.com/win-this-bike/ Thanks for watching along!

[@inder605]

That toyota black is the shit!

[@robertclark4509]

Hi Dale , quick question, I have a 2020 softail slim Harley. How easy would those knuckle fenders fit on my bike ? what old style would fit best ? Please advise...

[@jnault6441]

amazing!

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

It sounds like the top end is like a Swiss watch 👍☺️☺️🏍️🖖

[@tomb.8485]

I am assuming you have done so many of these that you can “feel” the right torque? I really enjoy videos like this and you are top notch with explaining the steps. Very interesting, thank you.

[@av8rshane491]

It’s the German torque spec….good un tight.

[@Harcoredneck234]

Heard anything from Sean at SRK cycles on their WLDR?

[@hemigod2]

I’ve got a question for you, sir, there was no problem in bringing back Marshall tube amps. Why can’t the Harley knucklehead be put back into production?

[@ronaldslack9530]

Cool (very)!

[@Eisenhaltig]

On my engine, all four "rocker-cups" (called in the book "Valve Spring Covers") are having one tiny hole located close were they comes to the Knuckle-housing (aluminium rocker-arm housing). I am having the impression that these holes are for a purpose, but it makes no sense for me, because it is a point for an oil leak. Should I close them or keep them open? Thanks and best regards from a Guy in Germany, who is trying to cure his knuckle from spreading oil.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

I believe only the intakes have the holes, which are vent holes, and should be on the “high side” of the cup. If it’s on the low side, it will leak.

[@RoboCop-zn8bt]

I'd love to rebuild one just for fun

[@chuckduzzie8529]

Some of the greatest inventors of our country … were bicycle mechanics. Harley & Davidson, The Wright Brothers, Henry Ford.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Like me you probably worked on your bicycle when you were a kid. I can remember some exasperating moments. What I love about these early bikes is that they're motor cycles. Lightweight, not some 2 litre engined overweight monstrosity.

[@freebird7284]

i knew better than to watch this, i had to go buy the great ticket deal!

[@barrybarnes96]

You'd need this guy every 500 miles.

[@KennethDavis-c6v]

How do I get raffle tickets?

[@normls8615]

Shame we can't win this bike in Australia. Win the jetski scooter from Bikes and Beards when they finally get their Harley together for your drag race. Or see if you can get their WW2 mini Indian.

[@randymanx2674]

FIPPYPIG (FIPG) is the shit!

[@adamr4115]

Wonder if he's upgraded the crank from a roller to a timken bearing ..

[@philfarcy6286]

My only comment on an excellent video is that you did not mention torque specs for many of the fasteners that hold this assembly together. Also do you use assembly lube on the fasteners? I am assuming if one is doing this at their shop they would have these specs available. Thanks for the build videos.

[@jimstretch6109]

In 1965 anybody could find and buy a complete, original knucklehead for less than $500. The collectors have jacked up the prices so high that the average guy has no chance of ever owning one of these.

[@acr21957]

I have a harder time doing a jigsaw puzzle than he does on what must be amazingly difficult assembly

[@ShainAndrews]

Inovative... perhaps. Genius and Harley-Davidson never belong in the same sentence.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I guess aero engines were the one's that had the big R&D money spent on them in the '30's. Bill probably looked there for inspiration.

[@ernestmathews4674]

A question from ignorance: cases are aluminum, barrels are cast iron, What is the cylinder head?

[@claywright9118]

cast iron also, rocker boxes aluminum