1940 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead EL Headlines the Rick Yerick Collection Auction

A rare slice of Milwaukee iron is heading to auction this month: a 1940 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead EL Motorcycle is crossing the block as part of the Rick Yerick Collection Auction, presented online by Premier Assets LLC. Listed as Lot #106, this early overhead-valve classic is drawing serious attention from vintage motorcycle collectors, and full details can be found on the official auction listing.

The Knucklehead nickname comes from the distinctive rounded rocker covers atop the engine, a design Harley-Davidson introduced in 1936 that is still celebrated today as one of the most important engines in American motorcycling history. This example carries the 61 cubic inch (990cc) V-twin, rated at roughly 40 horsepower, paired with a four-speed hand-shift transmission, the same formula that made the Knucklehead a favorite among riders and racers alike in its era. Anyone curious about the model’s finer points can browse the complete write-up on the Proxibid lot page.

According to the listing, this particular machine holds a clean Ohio title and shows just under 98,500 miles on its odometer. It rides on a leading-link springer front end with a rigid hardtail rear, 16-inch spoked wheels, and a solo saddle, finished off with a period-style luggage rack and leather saddlebags. The engine currently turns over, offering a promising starting point for a mechanical restoration or sympathetic recommissioning. Bidders can review condition notes and additional photos through the auction listing before placing a bid.

This Knucklehead is just one highlight of the broader Rick Yerick Collection, a sale packed with vintage motorcycles, spare parts, tools, and decades of motorcycling memorabilia. The online auction, hosted by Premier Assets LLC, runs through September 17th, giving collectors ample time to browse and bid on pieces that rarely surface in one place. The full lineup is available in the Rick Yerick Collection Auction catalog on Proxibid.

For collectors chasing an authentic prewar Harley-Davidson, opportunities like this do not come around often. With bidding active now, interested buyers should act soon to register and place their bids before the sale closes. Full lot information, current bid status, and bidding instructions are all available on the 1940 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead EL listing page.