Clichs are as much a part of the bike industry as are stripped bolts and peeling chrome. And the best clich to describe the story behind Lancaster, California's, Pete Horner and his '47 Knuckle is, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Pete bought the '47 with hopes of restoring it back to as close to original as possible. However, as he dug into the bike, he found more and more non-stock components were part of his purchase. Knowing the possibilities of readily finding the parts he needed to build a classic were slim, he decided that a nice, clean custom was the way to go. Nothing radical, nothing crazy - just a bike that reflected the original chopper feel with a harmonious blend of the salvageable old parts and the best new pieces he could find.
The first step was to get the Knuckle motor up to speed. Pete chose to leave the 74-incher low-key, turning it over to Painter Joe at Williams Motors for a complete refurbishing. Joe added an Andrews cam, an S&S E carb, and in a nod to nostalgia, the points stayed in place. The four-speed '47 transmission was also given a complete makeover by Painter Joe to get it in top condition to handle the power transfer from a BDL beltdrive and H-D clutch.
After many days of research and attempts to decide on the proper frame to carry his prized possession, Pete decided the original '47 rigid frame was best. Harmony Customs stepped up to help by bead blasting it and repairing a few weak welds before mounting a new 2-inch-over Paughco springer to the neck. Next, a set of simple 40-spoke wheels, 21 and 16 inches, were covered with Avon tires and slid into place. To keep with the old-school style, the new rear wheel was mated to the original drum brake, but the front was given a 21st-century look with a Paughco caliper and rotor.
Next it was time to dress the bike to look right. Pete wanted old school, but also eye-catching good looks that would make people wonder what year the bike is. He started by getting some help from Pat Luisi on installing a small floating Paughco front fender on the springer, then a pair of Midwest 3.5-gallon fat bob tanks. A traditional chrome horseshoe oil tank and fat bob rear fender from V-Twin round out the metal work. One last piece to keep old school in mind was added: an 8-inch chrome sissybar.
With most of the bike together, Pete turned his attention to running gear. He put a set of K&N 12-inch apes in Paughco riders and added V-Twin hand controls above the Paughco headlamp. Below, he decided to give up the original foot clutch and added a set of V-Twin forward controls and a hand clutch, so fighting the Los Angeles traffic would be easier. A LePera seat and a V-Twin taillight fed by a 6-volt system let Pete get ready for his first ride.
After almost two years of chasing parts and getting help from friends, he was ready to tear the bike down and paint it. Harmony Customs stepped up and did the brilliant red and flamed paint work to turn the dream into a reality. Clich or not, when Pete took his first ride on the complete bike, he knew he had done just what he set out to do: make lemonade that everyone wants.
SpecificationsGeneralOwner: Pete HornerYear/Make: '47/H-D Fabrication: Pat LuisiAssembly: Pete HornerBuild Time: Two years
EngineSize/Type: '74ci KnuckleCases: H-DFlywheels: H-DRods: H-DPistons: H-DCylinders: H-DHeads: H-DCam: AndrewsCarb: S&SIgnition: PointsPipes: Paughco
TransmissionYear/Type: '47/H-DCase: H-DGears: Four-speedClutch: H-DPrimary Drive: BDL
Frame/SuspensionYear/Type: '47/H-DRake: StockStretch: NoneSwing arm: RigidRear Suspension: See any?Forks: Paughco SpringerExtension: 2 inchesTriple-Trees: Paugcho