1940 Harley-Davidson 40-EL, 989cc

Model E Knucklehead - named after the shape of the polished aluminium rocker shaft covers- was a slow success for Harley. They sold just 152 of them in 1936, out of a planned production of 1,600; and only 126 in 1937. Then, in April 1937, Fred Ham, a Pasadena motorcycle police officer took his own, carefully-broken-in Model E to Muroc Dry Lake (now known as Edwards Air Force Base).

He outlined a five-mile circle with flags and flare-pots for round-the-clock riding. Stopping only for fuel, oil, fruit juice, and to change a broken rear chain in the 20th hour, Ham completed 1,825 miles, averaging 76.02mph. He set 43 new speed and distance records for himself and Harley-Davidson's Model E, single-handedly founding the legend of the Knuckleheads. The engine has a power output of 37 HP @ 4800 RPM which gives the machine a top speed of 100mph.