Restored ’55 Model KHK Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
Mike’s passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles started in 1958 — and he’s owned one ever since.
I came to Australia more than 35 years ago from the UK and have always owned Harley-Davidsons. Even now, at 73 years old, I can’t shake the passion and I have four bikes to ride and maintain. I got my first H-D in 1956, a WL, and have not bothered with any other brand of bike since.
When I came to Oz with my wife, she had a 1960 Panhead Harley-Davidson; we were like two peas in a pod, and we just loved riding our Harleys! I had a 750 supercharged Harley drag bike as well back then! This bike pulled some great times; drag racing was our love. I also had a Knucklehead powered Featherbed special. Harley ‘umph’ and light weight — a great combination!
Being a retired motor mechanic, or as they call it these days, a technician, if I’m not physically building bikes for mates, I’m machining parts to fit them.
I have always fancied a K-model and found out about this particular one through a classic bike racer friend of mine. It had spent many years sitting in a shed on a banana farm. It had only travelled about 5000 km in 10 years. It was incomplete plus a bit of a crook state to say the least! The pipes on it resembled a drain pipe, or something you would rig up to get yourself home with. It took me a solid week just to wash and clean it to see what I had actually bought.
The restoration took a touch over two years. Sourcing correct parts was the hardest, and when I finally found the parts I needed, I had to set about and repair them.
I did the paint on the bike myself as well, returning it back to its former colour. The engine is one of 78 built in 1955 and that’s confirmed by the factory. They were stamped KHRM’s and one KHR; mine is stamped KHR.
I’m a member of the Historical Motorcycle Club of Qld and love all the old bikes the guys own in the club. There’s nothing like getting together and talking classic bikes, particularly Harley-Davidsons!
I have had three bikes in different magazines over the years and something tells me this won’t be my last!
Photos by Rod Cole; story by Mike
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