harley-Davidson’s EL model was introduced in 1936 to no great fanfare, as the factory was cautious about the reception to its first road-going OHV V-twin. It needn’t have worried, as the Knucklehead—as it became known—proved to be an icon for the ages. It was produced for only 11 years, but it remains a polestar for both Harley-Davidson and the motorcycle industry, as its chunky styling became the enduring standard for touring motorcycles to this day. The original 61 CI EL motor was surprisingly smooth and free-spinning on the road, giving the impression of limitless power and an infinite capacity for swallowing up the miles. With a 95 MPH top speed, those miles would pass by quickly, as an easy 60 MPH cruise was possible all day, if the roads of the day would permit. The factory, via its mouthpiece The Enthusiast, promoted long-distance touring as an ideal use of its big twins, and the Knucklehead had enough power and, more important, enough solid reliability to trust on a cross-country or even cross-continental journey.\\r\\n \\r\\nThis delightful 1940 Harley-Davidson EL has enough patina from its 70-plus years to suit the most die-hard originalist. With just a little work, this prewar Knucklehead could prove to be the long-distance machine advertised by the factory when it was new.
