JAMESVILLE '47 U FLATHEAD

STORY WRITTEN BY BIKE EXIF.

James Roper-Caldbeck is an Englishman who rebuilds old Harleys in Denmark. This bike is a 1947Flathead, and over 62 years it has been though many transformations. When James bought it, he realized the frame, engine, gearbox and oil tank were original. “It came with the SU carb, then I added the Morris Magneto, chopped-down speedster handlebars, 19-inch aluminum rims and a Empi stinger exhaust for old time’s sake.” James wanted to keep the feel of a ‘working machine’, so he painted as few parts as possible: the metallurgy is what you notice on this motorcycle, rather than a Hot Wheels paint job. The tank is stained with Gun Blue, a chemical used to protect shotguns. You can see more of James’ painstaking work here.

SPECS

1947 frame, engine, gearbox and oiltank. Panhead 

primary cover, WL forks, sportster rims, 1926 headlight, 

and custom handelbars. British rear fender and 

Empi muffler. Unknown tank and back light.