After retiring from his job as a field rep for a Wisconsin power company, Jerry Kieffer dove deep into his passion of building perfectly scaled mechanical models. Kieffer says he's a non-professional machinist who learned his craft primarily through trial and error, creating immaculate (and functional) renditions of steam engines, miniature tools, and a John Deere tractor in tiny scale before he ventured into the two-wheeled realm.
Using his restored 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead as a prototype, Kieffer proceeded to build a 1/6th scale version of the bike's pushrod-actuated v-twin (which actually runs!) before he decided he wanted to go even smaller. So he set out to build a 1/8th scale version of the bike, complete with a working powerplant, gearbox, kick starter, and speedometer.
The model is currently in process, and you can see its engine, gearbox, kick start assembly, and sundry other parts (including an amusing practical joke by his engraver) in this 1/8th Scale Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Photo Gallery.
Sources: Cyril Huze Blog, Internet Craftsmanship Museum
Photo © Jerry Kieffer;
Click for One Eighth Scale Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Photo Gallery
I’ve been a model builder since I was a kid and I still enjoy it. (I’m not gonna bother with a 2nd childhood until I’m finished with the 1st one…)
but not even close to this level of talent.
Very cool and very impressive!
The Alfa powered bike…not so much …
Pete,
I also loved building models when I was a kid… mostly jets and cars, but I did enjoy putting together a Kawasaki GPZ 750.
Basem
I also loved models as a kid. This is amazing detail!!! Very cool!!! I hope you put the pics up of this model when it’s done Basem.
I would like to know if there are any models kits that an aged slightly use to be model builder like myself can buy of harley’s only