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The Build
We rolled into Davenport about 6 o'clock on Wednesday. The parking lot was already filling up. We found our usual camping spot on the back-side of the racetrack and started to unload. After taking a few laps around the fairgrounds to catch up with old buddies, we headed back to the truck and trailer to prep a bit more for the build.
Since we had the frame finished by the time we left the Lipsky's house, we jumped in on a few other tasks that would help us prepare for Friday's build. Within a thirty minutes, we had the parts laid out -- things were looking pretty organized. Matt, Myron, and I sifted through parts again, making sure that everything was usable and correct. This bike was the real deal...it was all there and in darn good shape for sitting in a moist garage for 40-plus years.
 When Matt pulled over the motor...we hit our first hiccup. It was seized up and didn't appear to be moving any time soon. But a little kroil in the cylinders and a breaker bar would provide a quick fix for this situation, and within 10 minutes we had it spinning over freely. The transmission was working well -- a three speed with reverse -- and after a quick dinner on the grill, we got inspired and started to mock the bike up just to make sure. We fit the motor and transmission into the frame, put on the rust red gas tanks, and all of the sudden, we had the beginnings of a genuine 1946 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead on our hands -- and everything fit perfectly.
Thursday morning we got up and hit the swapmeet. Matt and I rumbled around looking for a few missing pieces and met up with a few friends that would be helping with the build. Buddies Matt Olsen, Dave Monehan, Brian Haenline and Steve Brewsky were ready to get started. The plan was simple -- meet at 10 a.m. ready to get your hands dirty.
Friday morning the build was on. We loaded up all the parts in the Gouldcar and headed to the Tech Seminar Building. As we unloaded piece by piece, the crowd began to gather, anxious to see how this beauty turned out.
With a great team assembled, we were able to divide up tasks to make things go a bit quicker. Brian and Steve jumped in on assembling the fork, and my son Matt and Matt Olsen installed the motor and transmission, and Dave and I quickly had the clutch, primary chain and motor sprocket. This thing was shaping up fast. By the time Brian had the fork on, the crowd was eagerly cheering us on. A few folks even lended a quick hand, throwing us parts as fast we could bolt them on.
 We bolted on the fenders and gas tanks -- all in all a great set of sheet metal -- no rust in the gas tanks...the fenders were a bit rusty, but straight as an arrow. The brakes, which were still assembled went on next, and then the wheels. We all got a good laugh when we found out that they actually held air. This was quite a relief to my son Matt, since he's the designated "tire-changer" around the shop. Its funny how it works....but when your good at changing tires, you end up changing a lot of them.
The '46 was nearing completion and the crowd was getting bigger by the minute. After a quick wiring job by Myron and Matt hooking up the fuel lines and exhaust, we had ignition and fuel and were ready to crank here up.
I hopped on the bike, and gave it a few kicks to prime. I turned on the ignition and gave it a couple of kicks. It popped once and then didn't make a sound. Matt gave it a try, but to no avail. It was beginning to look pretty bleek. The bike looked great...but only seemed to be getting tougher to kick. Within 10 minutes and about 100 kicks, it finally froze up. We were all pretty dissappointed. Matt didn't want to give up, but after another half an hour, he threw in the towel too.
I guess it doesn't always work out. Depsite our best efforts, barring a major engine overhaul, this one was never going to run.
So when you have a lemon....what do you do? That's right, you make lemonade. Saturday morning, we rolled the bike out to the swapmeet and put a "For Sale" sign on her and within 20 minutes, it was gone. Not a terribly bad ending to a hard days work.
Next time, I guess I'll have to bring a spare engine.
--Dale 
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