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NAKED KNUCKLE DOES 145 MPH

iversen Dave Iversen, of El Cajon California, spent the winter months of ‘08 putting together a 1938 Harley Davidson Knucklehead, purpose built for Landspeed racing. It’s powered by an engine built with stock 74” Harley Davidson flywheels and standard bore cylinders. The 1200cc Knucklehead competes in the 1350cc class. From the frame up, Iversen fabricated each element of the race bike with aerodynamics in mind in addition to staying true to a vintage look with a springer front end and suicide shift. No fairings or streamlining are allowed in the A-VG (vintage-gas) class; a naked Knucklehead.

The first test for the knuckle was on May 22 during opening weekend of the landspeed season at El Mirage, Ca. located high in the Mohave desert. The bike had been started in the driveway, rolled into first gear, and the brakes checked before it was loaded for the three hour trip to the race course. With temperatures hovering above 100°, the dry and dusty lakebed offers racers like Iversen the opportunity to crack the throttle and see what they can do.
With Dave riding in a lay-down position, balancing on one foot, holding the clutch in with the other, the Knuckle took off from the start line sounding strong. The top speed in May was a promising 134.628 and satisfying in a way other racers understand. The vintage Knucklehead went from workbench to racing without major problems.
With few changes, Dave was back out for the June meet. The first run of the meet put down a speed of 139.680 just a deep breath short of the seventeen year old record of 139.925. Course conditions were good, the weather held and racers were offered the opportunity for a second run. Iversen made a quick jetting change, gambling that the old Knuck needed more gas. He blew through the traps at 145.222 mph, with the bike staying steady and straight. He’s still smiling.
Dave might look familiar. He started landspeed racing five years ago when he wrenched and rode a 1946 Indian Chief owned by good friend Jay Allen, owner of Broken Spoke Saloon. Iversen set multiple records with the Chief in both gas and fuel. Look him up at all the El Mirage meets, as well as Bonneville Speedweek. You can check out build pictures at www.IversenOriginals.com.

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