This project was started in 1967 by the owner of this bike's best friend, Bones.
Bones overhauled the 45-inch flathead on his '43 WLD Harley-Davidson in 1967 and had the tin painted in 1968. Yes, the paint you see here is the original lacquer paint job from 1968. It stayed so pristine because it basically sat unmolested for 38 years in a climate-controlled garage, and the tank was never mounted. As a WLD model for 1943 (civilian model with high compression), it is very rare, since most of that year's production went to the WLA or WLC for the war effort.
In 2003 Bones developed an incurable brain tumor. Two of his last wishes were that he wanted to see his buddy Paul get married to his long-time girlfriend, and he still wanted to finish this bike. Unfortunately, he was unable to do so. Instead, he decided to give Paul the bike to finish as a wedding gift. Bones told Paul that he was the only person he trusted to finish the bike the way he would have wanted it done. Paul was honored to have this bike from his best friend and mentor in building bikes. Paul was also very sad that his friend was dying and knew that Bones wouldn't live long enough to see him married or the bike finished.
The bike started out as a rolling chassis. Paul began in August 2004 by mostly researching flatheads and getting himself familiar with the project and ideas. Most of his builds up until that time had been British choppers or restorations, so this was a new animal for him. The one major obstacle he encountered during this project (and even up to today) is that there are very few aftermarket custom parts for flatheads. Everything had to be made from scratch, just like back in the day.
The frame and frontend are completely stock from the '43 WLD, with nothing butchered or altered. All the original lugs, fittings, and bracket mounts are intact. Over the years Bones built a few more pieces here and there, and he had some parts chromed during the '70s. Bones was never in a hurry to finish a project, as he was a perfectionist and had other rides, but after meeting him in 1990 (and after 23 years), Paul asked Bones when he was going to finish this bike. This question remained the same for the next 14 years. The biggest challenge was building and fitting parts around a 37-year-old lacquer paint job. The slightest ding would be disastrous, and this did happen several times, causing hours to be spent locating and trying to glue a paint chip to the frame.
The sissy bar was made from scratch, and Paul decided to use a peace sign as a symbolic reminder of the'60s.Thehand-grenade footpegs symbolize the flathead war machine. A friend alsoprovided an authentic 80mm bullet from a fighter plane made in 1943 and stamped for the shifter. Some other hidden goodies include the clutch and brake lever, which Bones started and Paul finished. Same deal with the brake rod. Paul changed the front sprocket to regear the flattie to get a little more top end, and the seat was not an easy marriage.
Paul went with a Goblin Millworx magneto to keep it clean and simple. The pipes were stretched to the sky, just like back in the day. Paul found a couple of the trumpet tips Bones had stashed away. They were made by a trumpet manufacturer with rolled edges. Bones had them specially made but never had the chance to mount them, so Paul did it for him.
The bike is extremely unique, making almost every aspect of it extra work. The frontend is definitely out there. Bones really over-engineered it-it's made from the original rockers with the grease fittings intact and functional. The biggest challenge was the oil bag. This is a story in itself. Bones' friend worked at a nuclear submarine plant and had the idea to make an oil bag that was shaped like an hourglass. It was bent and formed, and it took at least 80 hours of labor. Made out of a nickel-copper alloy, it will never rust. Another real nightmare was the front wheel. The chrome shop destroyed it. After calling everybody in the country to try to replace an original Borrani rim that the company quit making 25 years ago (and especially a 21-inch 40-spoke), Paul finally found one from one of the guys he dealt with for his British parts, Britech of New England. Then the old spokes and nipples would not fit, so Paul had Buchannons make some different-gauge nipples and spokes. All the nipples are brass-plated.
After a year of hard work and a ton of money, the bike was back together, and Paul was ready to fire it up. Boy, did it fire up-like a B-note trumpet from the grave. It was the most awesome sound Paul had ever heard. Paul was ecstatic to hear this bike come to life after 38 years of sitting neglected. The only problem was one oil leak from the oil seal on the primary side, and some tinkering was needed with the old Linkert carb.
Paul remained true to his friend's building principles, and their friendship helped guide Paul to a fitting tribute to Bones' memory. Paul is sure that Bones is looking down from on high, pleased that his best friend kept his legacy alive. Paul feels that when his time eventually arrives, Bones will be waiting for him on the other side with a cold brew and some new uncharted roads for them to ride together.