Open to the public on June 19, six rare Harley-Davidson motorcycles dating from 1941–1944 will be on display at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Preserved in authentic condition and displayed as history left them, the collection offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Harley-Davidson history through motorcycles that have retained the wear, patina, and stories earned over decades of use.
On loan from actor, filmmaker, and motorcycle enthusiast Jason Momoa, and featured in HBOMax series On the Roam, the collection showcases a pivotal era in Harley-Davidson history when civilian production became increasingly limited and American manufacturing was transformed by World War II.
Rather than restoring these motorcycles, Momoa sought examples that still carried visible evidence of the roads they traveled and the people who rode them. Their value lies not only in their rarity, but in the stories etched into every surface.
The collection includes a 1941 TA, 1943 FL, 1943 EL, 1944 E, 1944 U, and a unique 1941 EL transformed into a 1949 service truck. Together, these motorcycles tell the story of Harley-Davidson from the years immediately before, during, and after World War II.
Unlike restored showpieces, these motorcycles remain in authentic survivor condition. Their faded paint, worn controls, and earned patina offer a rare opportunity to experience history exactly as it was left behind.
Built during a period when civilian production became increasingly limited and American manufacturing was focused on supporting the war effort, these motorcycles represent a pivotal chapter in Harley-Davidson history.
The exhibit explores:
- Harley-Davidson during WWII
- The evolution of civilian motorcycles during wartime
- The value of preservation versus restoration
- Jason Momoa’s pursuit of authentic motorcycles with stories to tell
The exhibit remains on display through June 2027 and is included with Museum admission.
(Photo courtesy of Harley Davidson Museum via press release)
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