1936 Harley-Davidson EL

FROM THE DICK SHAPPY COLLECTION: The 1936 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead

Restored by master craftsman Ken Presson for George Pardos.

Judged by AMCA to be 99.75 points.

Considered by many to be the most correct '36 Knucklehead.

61 CI air-cooled V-Twin engine, #2031.

From the Dr. J. Craig Venter Collection

Restored for George Pardos by master craftsman Ken Presson, Davenport, Iowa

Purchased from the George Pardos Collection in 2014

AMCA judged at 99.75 points

First year of the 'Knucklehead' production

First Harley-Davidson overhead valve (OHV) motorcycle

Production in 1936 was only 1,526 EL models

Correct Venetian Blue and Croydon Cream paint scheme

This exact motorcycle was used by artist David Uhl in three of his paintings

Considered by many to be one the most correct 1936 model ELs

Twin-cylinder 61-cubic-inch engine

Four-speed transmission, chain drive

Engine number 36EL2031

Always maintained in a ready-to-ride condition

Documentation: Title

Mileage: TMU


THE STORY
From Mecum Auctions:

"This superb 1936 Harley-Davidson EL is a first-year model and was originally part of the famous Dr. George Pardos Collection of historic Harley-Davidsons. Pardos only collected significant milestones in Harley-Davidson history, and he published The Evolution of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle using his own research compiled while restoring his machines. This first-year EL Knucklehead was restored for Pardos by Ken Presson of Davenport, Iowaa master craftsman with thorough knowledge of the complexities of the early EL. It has been judged at 99-plus points by the AMCA, and its painted in the correct Venetian Blue and Croyden Cream paint scheme for 1936, the inaugural year of the EL and Harley-Davidsons first production V-twin with overhead valves. Its currently in the Dr. J. Craig Venter Collection, and it was purchased from Pardos in 2014. Many consider this to be a reference machine featuring as correct a restoration as possible with every part and every finish for every part as close to factory as is possible in the modern day. The engine number is 36EL2031, and the machine is in ready to ride condition.

While the Knucklehead is recognized today as an utterly iconic American motorcycle that set a stylistic standard so high its echoed and imitated to the present day, Harley-Davidson hid its light under a bushel the first year, fearful that disaster might strike from introducing such a radical machine. The EL wasn't listed in the 1936 catalog or advertising, except in passing as a mention of successful events where the Knucklehead was ridden. And, in truth, the first production year saw significant changes and improvements to the EL, which vexes restorers to this day; yet, none of this erases the true greatness of the design.

This first-year 1936 EL Knucklehead was restored by Ken Presson and judged a remarkable 99.75 at the Davenport AMCA meet. It is as close to a perfect Knucklehead as possible, and it was featured in three David Uhl paintings: Rose, The Real Thing and The Art of the Motorcycle.