Value of 1936 Knucklehead chopper built by Indian Larry?

[VILESTENCH]

I know this probably isn't the best place to ask, but:

My Uncle was friends with Larry when they were younger, when Larry was into drugs and robberies.

My Uncle, at some point before the Bank Robbery incident, bought this bike from him.

It's a 36 knuckle motor/frame with a 26" front wheel, i think a '54 4-speed tranny, peanut tank, z-bars, springer front end, bates seat . Everything but the motor is chromed. The bike was built in the '60s. Stamped in the bottom of the frame, it says "God Save DeSmedt", and there's a repaired slash in the front of the frame where the cops cut the bike open because they suspected Larry of running drugs. According to my Uncle, after it was seized, he and Larry broke it out of impound.

It runs. My Uncle starts it all the time, he just hasn't ridden it in like 20 years because of a car accident that just about ruined his shoulder.

Anyway, my Uncle has been approached by a newly opened Motorcycle Museum in the area to sell the bike. They offered him a large amount of money right off the bat. I know that a '36 Knucklehead motor alone is worth around $12-15k. I also know that the owner of this museum is a collector and also owns/runs an HD parts distributor, so he's not broke.

I have two awful photos of the bike, and you can see that it's not in pristine condition, but it's a complete, running, 1960's Indian Larry built '36 knucklehead.

Any ideas what this may be worth, or are there any forums where I could find out more information?

[pknopp]

I dont know but it's just another chopper until you can prove Larry had anything to do with it. I'm not doubting you but it's not going to bring much of a premium just because someone says Larry built it 45 years ago.

IF, I had some proof and I wanted to sell it, I'd consign it to some large bike auction.

[MeineFolks'wagen]

I dont know but it's just another chopper until you can prove Larry had anything to do with it. I'm not doubting you but it's not going to bring much of a premium just because someone says Larry built it 45 years ago.

IF, I had some proof and I wanted to sell it, I'd consign it to some large bike auction.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with the above statement. Here is a '36 Harley that went for close to $30K in mint condition. Exact value? I just Google'd it and found a multitude of sites. Ultimately, it's going to be worth whatever someone wants to pay for it But to get top dollar, I would want some kind of definitive proof that it was built by Larry too.

http://www.heavydutycyclesusa.com/1936harleyvlh.html

[VILESTENCH]

Yeah. I get that.
As far as I know, he has proof, and thats the main reason the museum is interested.

I checked around for prices of all-original knuckles and found some good info, plus you can check values on NADA.com. This situation totally throws those prices off, though. Its not all original, but at the same time its a Larry bike. :shrug:

Thanks.

Edit: I also just found out that the guy who runs/owns the museum knew both my uncle and Larry.
Apparently he remembered my Uncle had the bike and called him on a whim.

[jerseygli]

I have no valuable knowledge to add, but I'm in for results. Cool stuff.

[freedomgli]

Ask here:

http://www.jockeyjournal.com/

[VILESTENCH]

Thanks.

[Tinker Toy]

Why not ask the Harley museum if they would like to own a sample of Indian Larry's work?

[pknopp]

Yeah. I get that.
As far as I know, he has proof, and thats the main reason the museum is interested.

I checked around for prices of all-original knuckles and found some good info, plus you can check values on NADA.com. This situation totally throws those prices off, though. Its not all original, but at the same time its a Larry bike. :shrug:

Thanks.

Edit: I also just found out that the guy who runs/owns the museum knew both my uncle and Larry.
Apparently he remembered my Uncle had the bike and called him on a whim.

My opinion is with proper documentation it would bring more than a regular restored bike.

[simple]

cool story!

[taymk2]

the motor and history of who built it alone is worth 15k/25k if you ask me

[OLD-GTI]

the motor and history of who built it alone is worth 15k/25k if you ask me

Aside from the sum of the parts, the whole Indian Larry thing is subjective, it's one of those situations where it's worth what someone will pay.

If the offer is enough to make your uncle feel like he made a good deal, then it's a good deal.

[VILESTENCH]

Yeah, that's pretty much how I feel at this point.
He's going to lunch with the interested party sometime this week.
I don't think he's going to sell it.

[OLD-GTI]

Yeah, that's pretty much how I feel at this point.
He's going to lunch with the interested party sometime this week.
I don't think he's going to sell it.

he can always lend it to the museum if they want it bad enough...that way it can be appreciated for what it is, but he doesn't have to sell it.

[rockit]

he can always lend it to the museum if they want it bad enough...that way it can be appreciated for what it is, but he doesn't have to sell it.

that can also be a way to determine the level of interest in the bike as well as greatly increasing its exposure.

[Accidental L8 apex]

I have no valuable knowledge to add, but I'm in for results. Cool stuff.

And I will post, "Ditto", instead of just subscribing.