King Nothing: Josh Allison’s Knucklehead Masterpiece

April 30, 2026

0Points

During Daytona Bike Week, Daytona FL, 2020

A 1946 Knucklehead brought back from the dead and turned into a one-of-a-kind chopper—Josh Allison’s “King Nothing” is the kind of build that reminds you why these motors still matter. Featured on the cover of Cycle Source Issue 302 and now streaming on Cycle Source TV.

The Best Harley Engine Ever Built?

Call it biased if you want—but the Knucklehead still stands as the most beautiful engine Harley-Davidson ever produced. There it is. No take-backs.

Sure, nearly every motor in Harley’s lineage has its place, its personality, and its following—but the Knucklehead hits different. Produced from 1936 to 1947, it came from an era where mechanical form and function blended into something almost sculptural. Even with wartime production limitations, it left behind a legacy that’s only grown stronger—and more expensive—with time.

And yeah, that’s the problem. These motors have become borderline unobtainable for most builders. But every once in a while, someone refuses to let that stop them—and that’s exactly where Josh Allison’s “King Nothing” build comes in.

A Knucklehead Built, Not Bought

At the heart of this machine is a 1946 FL Knucklehead motor, paired with a 1951 transmission and housed in a 1945 frame. Purists might raise an eyebrow at the mix of years—but let’s be honest: finding correct, serviceable OEM Knucklehead parts today is like chasing ghosts.

And besides—this is chopper culture. There are no rules. That’s kind of the whole point.

Josh had always dreamed of building a Knuckle, and when he was invited to build for Born Free 10, he knew it was time. He tracked down the motor on eBay—but what showed up wasn’t exactly turnkey. Mismatched cylinders, no pistons, a gutted oil pump, trashed crank assembly, and no carburetor. Basically, a pile of problems.

That’s when Randy from Phat Rides stepped in and brought it back to life—rebuilding it to stock 74” specs with S&S pistons, a refreshed cam chest, and a fully rebuilt oil pump.

One standout choice? The Linkert M74 carburetor. Old-school, properly tuned, and still capable of holding its own. Add in a Morris Magneto for ignition and a patina-treated air cleaner from Lowbrow Customs, and the motor delivers both performance and presence.

Built in the Spirit of the Past

While the motor was being resurrected, Josh and his friend Rad Brad scored big—landing a legit 1945 frame from a shop that was closing its doors. From there, the build became a mix of resourcefulness, craftsmanship, and straight-up hustle.

Rad Brad also came through with a stash of rare parts, including the I-Beam springer and transmission. The rest? Swap meets, trades, and a lot of hands-on fabrication.

Once the roller was dialed, Josh started creating the details that truly define this bike. Nearly every handmade piece incorporates brass and copper inlays, working seamlessly with the bike’s aged bronze patina. It’s the kind of detail you don’t notice all at once—but once you do, it’s everywhere.

The lighting came from The Light Asylum, adding to the industrial tone, while engraving work by J Bower Engraving adds subtle personality. Additional touches like brass pushrod collars by Ryan McQuiston and a kicker pedal from Wannabe Choppers round out the details.

And then there’s that exhaust—completely one-off. It’s got a strange, almost confusing shape off the bike, but once mounted, it flows perfectly. Same goes for the open primary chain—unexpected, but undeniably right.

A Labor of Love That Paid Off

Like many builds at this level, “King Nothing” didn’t come cheap. Toward the end, it became a serious financial strain—but Josh pushed through and finished what he started.

And the best part? This isn’t a trailer queen. It’s his daily rider—a machine built to be ridden, lived with, and eventually passed down to his son, Kinston.

Featured in Cycle Source + Watch the Full Build

We were proud to feature Josh Allison’s “King Nothing” on the cover of Cycle Source Magazine Issue 302—and trust us, the photos only tell part of the story.

If you want to see how this machine really came together, you can watch the full build unfold on Cycle Source TV—available on Roku, Firestick, iOS, and Android. Even better—you can get a 30-day free trial right now and dive into this build along with a full library of choppers, tech, rides, and more: ? https://cyclesourcetv.com/pages/one-month-free

It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes access that reminds you why we build, ride, and live this life in the first place.

Final Thoughts

The Knucklehead might be expensive, rare, and sometimes downright frustrating—but builds like this prove it’s still worth the effort.

Josh didn’t just assemble parts—he built something with soul. Something that respects the past without being trapped by it.

And in the world of choppers, that’s about as real as it gets.