The Harley 45 - Part 1 

RIP DALE.

I had a 1942 45 back in 1955 when I was 14. Wish I still had it. My ride now is a 99 Softail Custom which I really like. I will be 80 years old in November, so don't do long rides anymore, but still enjoy riding on the back roads around where I live a couple of miles from small town Kansas. Thanks for the memory.

Hi from Sweden. Here the Harleys was quite popular in the twenties and up to WW2. For its time reliable. After the war surplus WL. Then no Harleys until the Sportster came. My first motorcycle bought in -63 was a 1930 DL. Running but needed renovation. Major issues was crankpin 1/16 worn, bought a new one $4. Frame broken just behind gearbox, right side. As gearbox was not constant mesh, got 2nd gear from a scrapyard. Some previous owner after the common generator drive failure had moved the generator to behind engine driven by a V-belt from the clutch. It had the original twin headlamps. It had not a distributor but a single breaker driving a dual output wasted spark ignition coil which I think was original. Painted it in its original green. Some vandal had cut off front part of the clutch pedal, made it somewhat interesting to ride. Brakes wasn't very effective, resulting in a lots of sparks from the footboards in the bends. Used it for two years, always reliable. The hand oil pump was very efficient to prevent tailgating.

Better without background music

Love the old Bikes! So glad “The Wheels Through Time Museum is in existence and doing well! Thanks Dale!

The pandemic is the best thing that ever happened to motorcycle history buffs because these videos are absolutely extraordinary.

I enjoy Matt’s videos but I love Dale’s videos

I miss those golden era, awesome video, I loved it, thank you for such a great motorcycle content

Interesting history and commentary, BUT ...the music is very distracting.

Extremely interesting and informative as always, BUT the pointless music ruins these videos for me. 🤯

The 2 things, and only 2 more than likely, Dale and I have in common. Both of our first Harleys were Servicars and we both still have them....but his runs, mine has not for a while...

Does anyone ever read the comments? I’m not alone in finding the music an unnecessary, annoying distraction. Love the content otherwise.

Thanks for the lessons Dale. Its good to see you

Back when everyone wanted 74s, or at least bikes that were 55-61 cubic inches, I bought, sold and traded several 45s for basically peanuts.

I'm putting together a list of places I want to visit in the States. This place is on the list along with Towsends

Fricken' awesome!!!

great unique videos, nobody got these bikes

I'm glad there is no dislikes yet. I hope it stays that way

Glorious!

And another awesome video and info, thanks

That was fantastic.

I remember that bike.

Great history

A friend had a 45 rebuilt at the Harley Davidson Dealership shop. It was a beauty , put the top speed was under 40 mpg. Way ? The motor ran fine. Did it have the wrong transmission or some other gear problem.

Great STUFF!!!!!!WILLY CA 🦅🏍⚒☠️⚡️🌎🇺🇸🙏👍🙏🏍🏍🏍🔥

Actually the '45 ' engine went all the way to 1983 in the servi- car!!

Can a 1940 WL be converted from hand-shift, foot clutch to a hand clutch, foot shift??

How I be able to contact you?

Great videos. But the music over power's the Video

I once owned a 49 w l r 45.

Finally the video I been waiting for...I am restoring a 29DL with very low serial number...thank you for the paint options by year and the link to hdpaint.tk. Do you have any links for rims and Tyres options for the 18" cinker rims, I can only find supplers for the 20" rims of the JD bikes

Had 47 sólo customized with cast wheels and disc brakes mikuni carb electronic ignition 12 volts sold it to someone near KC

Saludos desde mexico

And the band played on. I don't think they ever read the comments section to make the video's better for the viewer.

Please don't use music, or just reduce the volume of it to the minimum.

OMG stop the music, I can't even finish this...

Sweeet

which is funny and very annoying how often he says Harley Davidson it would be enough if he only says Harley but otherwise it bothers me well🤘🏻