Vehicle Description
1940 Harley Davidson Sport Solo Big Twin Flathead UL 74 c.i.
Motorcycle Rare Matching #'s 40UL3944 engine Big Twin FlatheadRare
UL, reportedly only 822 model builtFirst year of the semi circular
floorboardsWonderful survivor in excellent condition.Recently
acquired from collection in climate controlled storage.After the
Knucklehead was introduced in 1936 the rest of the Big Twin line
got 4-speed constant mesh transmissions and dry sump return oiling
also starting in 1937 Hand shiftFoot clutchSolo seatRear fender
carrier rackRide controlFront fender lightSpot lightsCenter
standHarley-Davidson, and the United States, began to emerge from
the Great Depression by 1936, and in a bold move, Harley-Davidson
made a complete change to its entire 11-model lineup. By 1937, all
the Big Twins shared a new chassis with a stronger frame, beefy
springer forks, dry-sump engines with proper oil pumps, and
constant-mesh 4-speed gearboxes. While the 61 CI EL Knucklehead was
the range leader, the real Big Twins were the 74 CI U and UL
models, and the UH in 80 CI capacity. All models shared most
chassis parts in a nod towards harmonization of production and
cheaper manufacture; they'd learned hard lessons the previous six
years.By 1940, Harley-Davidsons engineers had made their side-valve
models U, UL and UH into completely reliable, bulletproof machines.
They remained popular with the flathead faithful for many years,
and Harley-Davidson continued producing them through 1948. There
was a break during World War II, when Harley-Davidson almost
exclusively built the WL/WLA/WLC 45s for the U.S. military from
1942 through September of 1945.This 1940 Harley-Davidson UL
motorcycle the Sport Solo model with a matching #'s 74 CI flathead
motor, a foot clutch/hand shift, a rear-fender carrier rack,
front-fender light, spotlights and a center stand. Its a true
matching #'s original survivor that features the higher handlebars
of the post-1938 models, which have a more comfortable riding
position, a simplified instrument panel that replaced the ammeter
with a red warning lamp, the oil-pressure gauge with a green lamp,
and a solid White paint job. Model-year 1940 was the first year of
the semi-circular footboards, and production of the UL that year
was limited to 822 machines, compared to nearly 4,000 EL, making
the 1940 UL a much rarer machine than the Knucklehead. The flathead
faithful will be pleased with this wonderful survivor, which has no
doubt given its owners over the years plenty of smiles.