1938 HARLEY FLATHEAD
Dave was just out of college in Aberdeen, SD when he began restoration on this 1938 Flathead. The previous owner had used it in a most unusual way… to herd sheep. When Dave bought it in 1975, it was a basket case in the truest sense of the words. He hauled it home in crates, boxes and bags.
He spent three years gathering missing parts and replacing and worn out ones. He saved whatever he was able to refurbish. The fenders alone had 72 extra holes that needed to be welded and ground smooth. Very little on this motorcycle is not original to the year and model.
This project was completed in 1978, just in time to ride to the Sturgis motorcycle rally and races. The bike has enjoyed many memorable miles since then and is admired whenever it’s taken out. You may remember this Flathead on display at the Broken Spoke Saloon in a place of honor. While Dave was the saloon’s owner, it was located on a shelf behind the front bar.
FACTS AND FIGURES
FABRICATION BY Owner / Dave Iversen YEAR AND MAKE 1938 Harley-Davidson MODEL FlatheadUL ASSEMBLY Owner / Dave Iversen TIME 6 months CHROMING Brown’s Plating YEAR 1938 MODEL .UL REBUILDER Owner / Dave Iversen lGNITION 6volt DISPLACEMENT 74 cubic inch HEADS Optional aluminum CARB(S) BrassLinkert TRANSMISSION MODIFlCATIONS None YEAR 1938 SHIFTING 4 spd-tank shift PAINTING MOLDING Owner / Dave Iversen PAINTER Owner / Dave Iversen COLOR Harley Teak Red TYPE Acrylic lacquer SPECIAL PAINT Original tank decals YEAR 1938 TYPE Rigid BARS Stock /Original HEADLIGHT Stock / Original TAILLIGHT Stock / Original FRONT PEGS Original footboards ELECTRIC’S 6 volt stock GAS TANK 3.5 gallon OIL TANK Original horseshoe OIL SYSTEM Stock / Original PRIMARY COVER Stock tin SEAT Original leather FORKS TYPE Springer EXTENSION Stock BUILDER Harley-Davidson SPECIAL FEATURES Original friction dampner HUB RIM WIDTH TIRE BRAKE WHEELS – BACK HUB RIM WIDTH TIRE BRAKE OTHER MODIFICATIONS OTHER Dave rebuilt and restored everything to stock spec’s