Knucklehead

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The knucklehead was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine, so named because of the distinct shape of the rocker covers. The engine is a two cylinder, two valve per cylinder, pushrod V-twin. It was the second type of engine used by Harley-Davidson, replacing the Flathead engine in 1936. The engine was manufactured until 1947 and was replaced by the Panhead engine in 1948.

As the design of Harley-Davidson engines has evolved through the years, the distinctive shape of the valve covers has allowed Harley enthusiasts to classify an engine simply by looking at the shape of the cover. A knucklehead engine has round knobs on the cover resembling knuckles that give the knucklehead its name.

[edit] See also

Harley-Davidson engines
Engine 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
One-cylinder engines
unnamed 1903–1910
unnamed 1926–?
Big twin engines
F-head (IOE) 1914–1929
Flathead 1929–1936
Knucklehead 1936–1947
Panhead 1948–1965
Shovelhead 1966–1985
Evolution 1984–1999
Twin Cam 1999–
Sport engines
Sport 1919–?
XA 1942
WR 1946-?
K 1952–1956
Ironhead 1957–1985
Evolution 1985–
Water-cooled engines
Revolution 2002–


[edit] External links