Forgotten Harley Sitting over 50 Years — WILL IT RUN?

Dale's Wheels Through Time Museum, located in Maggie Valley, NC, features over 375 American motorcycles, unique cars, and transportation history.

[cotterpartyhouse]

Never thought I would cry at the start of a motorcycle.. this was my grandpas bike. Thank you so much for this!

[tracietillman]

These motorcycles were my dad’s. Watching you sharing them on your YouTube channel has been very exciting and emotional for me to see him being honored in this way. Thank you.

[papawpopsrigby]

So Happy I got these Bikes to Matt .... I wish my Dad was still alive to see this !!! We met Dale in Mt. Vernon IL. Thank You Matt !!

[joehovanec]

Harley sure did build some beautiful K models and early Sportsters back then. Makes you want to restore or build one today. That's a nice bike you got there. What a classic good-looking Harley.

[gregburris]

I can't believe I'm watching this and that I found it on my YouTube. I'm 77 years old. When I was 19 years old, I owned a 1955 KH. Had no idea what I really had, just that it was a Harley and that was cool. I weighed 150 lb and I was in heaven. 25 years later I find out how rare they were. What a great find. Good Luck.

[garyseaton]

I never cease to be amazed watching your work. Running that Matchless was a pleasure to watch with Chris jumping into that sidecar. Matt and Chris working on this classic K and getting it running is something special.

[matthewrinehart]

So glad you are keeping your Dad's legacy alive. I love the camaraderie you inspire in those around you. Great content. Just leave some barn finds for the rest of us, we'll donate them when we're done playing with them.

[johnpandolfino]

What a nice the Congratulations on getting her

[kevinpare]

Matt.I love your show and what you do. I don't own a bike. But your shop and what you do is incredible. It makes me dream.

[scottarmstrong]

I've always had a weird thing for K models, don't ask me why. I've had my eye on that black one you have upstairs for years. This one sounds great. It always amazes me how these bikes can run so well after sitting for decades. I dig the Matchless as well. I went through a British thing in the 80's, so I also have an appreciation for that stuff. Great video, as always!

[cseivard]

Awesome. I probably say this every time… I am recovering from a stroke. I am fighting back, but still quite screwed up! Every success gives me hope!

[mattovictimcycles]

Thanks for this one....My Dad's 1955 KHK is literally in my dining room on a work table.... Dad bought it new in 55 ....it was his only means of transportation when he got it.... Last tagged in We started to restore when he was still alive.... Talked to your Dad about it years ago....He was great Been put on the back burner do to just life.!!! I remember when telling your Dad about it He said to me " What are you waiting for ? " He was right.... I got to get to the front of my priorities.... This video is inspiring...Thanks.

[davidlittle]

We visited the museum three weeks ago and I was in my happy place! I grew up on small import bikes but was surrounded by Harley’s. In 1966 I got my first Wards Riverside 50cc built by Bennelli. Eighteen or so bikes of all brands left me indelibly scarred.😃 I love ‘em all. I bought my raffle tickets so let’s see if I’m destined to add a knucklehead to my long list of favorite motorcycles.

[chashouse]

From across the pond, it was a pleasure watching these two work together and what a beautiful bike! Nice to see a Harley with conventional pegs rather than footboards. Oh and just have to say being a Brit it made me chuckle that the AJ started a lot easier than the colonial iron 😉Both bikes sounded fantastic!!

[johneven]

I love that you guys do this, carrying on your dads legacy bringing these machines out of the darkness and letting them shine once again, sometimes I don't know why, maybe I'm just a fat old wuss but seeing some a these start brings a little tear of joy.

[tramptramp]

This is my favorite video that you have ever done. It took me back to a time in my youth that I will cherish forever. My first bike that I ever had after being old enough to legally drive was a 1952 KHK and it was awesome. Faster than any one could believe and took me on more adventures than I can even remember. OH the stories I could tell. What I wouldn't give to have that setting in my living room right now.

[lewhanna]

Cool to see such a clean old k model. Tried to find one back in the late 70's, hard to find even then.

[DDGVET]

What a gem. They'll never look or sound like that again. Great job and patience! Makes me miss my old 63 XLCH 1363.

[fredflint]

My first Harley was a 56 KH. I paid $150 for it running. Guys who wanted to race "that 45" got a quick lesson! First foot shift, hand clutch, first unit construction engine/transmission. Right foot shift was because of flat track racing heritage. The street models were produced to justify the racing models.The reason they went from 45 in( for 750cc class) to 55 cu.in. 883cc. is because a 1000 cc class had been created. 883cc allowed for some boring as the engine wore, without exceeding race specs.Right foot shift was for constant left turns during flat track racing(without brakes).It helps to keep right foot under shifter, and left foot right over the brake, to buy time to realize the opposite controls. Early models required splitting the cases to access transmission. Later models introduced the infamous (breakage)"trap door". That's most of what I was told/read/remember... Thanks for keeping alive the history of the machines that created this passion! There is no other understanding that compares to riding a new old Harley.

[knucklehead]

Ya need a small Concrete Mixer, like Bricklayers use, to clean Tanks. I used to work in a Restoration Shop and we'd fill rusty Tanks with Nuts and Bolts and then strap them to a Board and strap the Board to the front of the Mixer. Turn them for a hr or so and it would make even the RUSTIEST Tanks clean up like brand new 🤠