90th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Ride 2026
Thank you all for attending the 90th Anniversary Knucklehead Run 2026
27-29th March – Albury, NSW
We started the day at Fast Fuel Motorcycles in Albury before heading out on a 300km loop through some of the most scenic roads Australia has to offer.
After a few early roundabouts, the Bethanga Bridge marked a spectacular gateway to the ride. From there, we flowed along the sweeping corners of the Murray River Road, surrounded by lush pastures that showcased the strength of the region.
Just before our first fuel stop in Walwa, we hit a section we dubbed the “craters of the moon” — and unfortunately, our first setbacks. Steve and I both went down. A huge thank you to those on scene who stepped in to help. Emergency services arrived, Steve was taken to hospital, his bike loaded onto the trailer, and I was fortunate to dust myself off and continue on.
Between Walwa and lunch, the Snowy Mountains revealed themselves — complete with what looked to be a fresh dusting of snow. A stunning contrast on such a warm autumn day, and a moment that made it feel like we’d truly nailed the route.
Lunch at Corryong Recreation Reserve — usually home to the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival — gave us a chance to regroup, admire the bikes, and reset. Thanks to locals Kerri and Ross for making it happen.
A competitive slow race followed, with Vinnie taking the win, before we continued via Huon Reserve for a group photo — while others carried on enjoying the ride.
We wrapped up the loop via the Hume Dam, a striking piece of man-made history and a fitting stage for a day dedicated to celebrating 90 years of the Knucklehead — a legacy carried forward on every kilometre we rode, with the region’s natural beauty providing a spectacular backdrop throughout.
The day ended with a great dinner at the Bullring Restaurant at our host accommodation, the Quality Resort Siesta, where we celebrated the day’s winners with trophies, as shown below.
ORGANISERS CHOICE – STOCK KNUCKLEHEAD – MARK FITZGERALD
1946 – Restored Grey Knucklehead
“I purchased this bike at auction recently. I first saw it during the 2022 Cannonball Run and really admired its style. It was previously owned by a tattooist named Cliff from the Gold Coast. I am fairly certain the bike was built by Pacific Harley, with Peter Green serving as the lead mechanic.”
ORGANISERS CHOICE – MODIFIED KNUCKLEHEAD – JACK BOWER
1942 – Custom Knucklehead
“The bike has been assembled from parts in the eighties in Tassie but it wasn’t very well done. I acquired it more than fifteen years ago, it ran, but needed a lot of work. I gathered parts for a few years. It took about eighteen months for the build. A few things have changed over the years but it was built to be ridden. 1942 engine with s&s 4.5″ flywheels Leineweber cam. 1947 bullneck frame and early inline frontend. A fair amount of custom parts like the seat, pipes, rear fender, bars and other small things”
CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNUCKLEHEAD SCENE – DAN FLUIT
1947 (Black & Red) & (White) – Knucklehead
“I bought the 1947 FL in 2011 as a basket from Gary Kirkness. Like many of these bikes, it came out of California. Gary rebuilt everything on the bike, and since then, I’ve been able to put many thousands of kilometres on it.
A few years later, I discovered the old 1960s flame paint hiding under a later coat — and I was able to bring the flames back out. It was important to me to preserve the bike as it came, with all its history intact.
In 2021, I added the 1947 EL to the collection. I wanted to create a North California early-’50s style that I really like. Peter Green completed a full engine rebuild in January this year, and just two weeks later, I spent a week breaking it in around Tasmania. With an FL crank and high gearing, it’s a strong engine that runs beautifully.
Both bikes feature the right mix of original and period-correct aftermarket parts. Across the two, I’ve used Flanders bars and risers, Bates seats, BTE taillights, Nations-built gas caps, Atlas quick-throttle, Beck grips, NOS chrome Wassell guards, and more. My father even made a copy of a ’40s Atlas exhaust for the flame Knucklehead — it looks fantastic.
Each bike carries its own stories. I was told these two were originally owned by best mates in California who rode together in a club back in the day. I can’t verify the history, but I like to believe it’s true. On the Knucklehead anniversary, a close mate rode one and I rode the other. After many years off the road and separated, the bikes were reunited — back on the road together, ridden by mates once again.”
Watch Dan Fluit featured on The Riders Journal above
WINNER OF THE TIME TRIAL – VINNIE CAIA
1947 Black Restored Knucklehead
“The story I was given is the bike started its life being owned by a pair of farming brothers that stopped using it and parked it in a barn in the 60’s when helmet laws were introduced. It sat there for many years. At some point in the 90’s, the second owner purchased it and sent it to Cotten at Liberty Motorcycle Specialties for restoration. For a while its image was used for AMCA advertising in magazines in USA. I’ve owned the bike since 2014, it’s the pride of my fleet, and will probably never leave my possession – willingly anyway.”
Good fun and see you on the next one.
Watch the video by Kevin Manning of the event below: