1936 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead

• 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-plus 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 of 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

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, Iowa—a master craftsman with thorough knowledge of the complexities of the early EL. It has been judged at 99-plus points by the AMCA, and it’s painted in the correct Venetian Blue and Croyden [sic] Cream paint scheme for 1936, the inaugural year of the EL and Harley-Davidson’s first production V-twin with overhead valves. It’s 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 it’s 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.”

Harley-David­son, Inc. needs no introduction as an iconic Amer­ican Motor­cycle manu­facturer headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1901, William S. Harley, Arthur David­son, and brother Walter David­son began work on their first Motor­cycle engine. Their first attempt may have been a failure, but they founded Harley-David­son in 1903 and became one of the largest Motor­cycle manu­facturers by 1920. They produced Motor­cycles for the United States used in both World War I & II and were one of only two major Motor­cycle manu­facturers to survive the Great Depression. In fact, they’ve survived numerous changes to ownership and restructuring, intense global competition, charges of restrictive practices, claims of stock price manipulation, and a constantly evolving view of the com­pany and bikers. Still, they are widely known for their loyal following and now manufacture in Penn­syl­vania, Wisconsin, Brazil, and Thailand. Their classic cruiser style, including high handlebars, low seats, and chrome parts, is easily recognizable. They’re also noted for their customizability, giving rise to the chopper style of Motor­cycle, and for the distinct sound of HD’s powerful engines.