Harley Davidson 1942 U 1209 cc 2 cyl sv 3608

Harley Davidson 1942 “U” 1209 cc side valve V-twin frame & engine # 42U2744

video: https://youtu.be/sG4m_zw15kc

For 1937 the HD engineers redesigned the Big Twin range: frame and cycle parts of the newly introduced OHV ‘Knucklehead’ were used as the basis for the new 1209cc and 1303 cc models U and UH. An important new feature was the introduction (finally!) of dry sump lubrication. The “U” was the 5.0:1 low-compression type; the standard compression was 5:1. Power output of the U was 32.5 hp @ 4,200 rpm and its top speed was 135 km/h. The new models proved themselves as reliable and dependable machines and gave their owners every satisfaction from the start and continued to do so for many years. Improved and updated annually throughout the late 1930s and 1940s, the U and UL models finally disappeared from the range at the end of 1948.

Throughout the war a number of organisations in the USA and overseas used the Model U for government and police duties. This particular machine, with optional 4-speed gearbox, was sent to South-Africa and was, probably in the 1980s, imported in The Netherlands by then official Harley-Davidson dealer Maurice van den Berg. The former owner purchased the U in November 1991 and restored her in the period December 1991 till May 1994. In June the machine was checked and registered by the licencing authorities. Since then about 20,000 kilometres have been covered. In 2012 new chromed spokes have been fitted and in 2018 the primary and secondary chains and sprockets were renewed. At the same time the transmission reduction was slightly lowered, which resulted in lower rpm and smoother running. In 2024 the electrics were modernized by the fitting of an electronic voltage regulator and Samwel electronic ignition. To accommodate the navigation system, a 12 volt converter has been fitted.
The restoration process has been described in a 22-page Dutch-language document with many photos of various stages of the process. This mighty and carefully restored and maintained U comes with twin mirrors, handlebar-mounted navigation system, front and rear crash bars and genuine Harley-Davidson leather pannier bags.