JF Ptak Science Books Quick Post
Okay, so they were diferent times, and the money was different, and the different was different. Still it is surprising to see in Floyd Clymer’s (of L.A.) Flat Rate Service Charge Manual for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles listing an off-the-shelf engine overhaul for $47.50–especially when Mr. Clymer’s paper manual of pricing suggestions cost two bucks, which was about 5% of the Harley engine work, parts and all.
The average yearly salary in 1948 was about $3,600, or about $35k translated into today’s buying power–which means the overhaul was costing 1.5% of the yearly salary, or about half a week’s salary. Not bad.
Also: “rewire complete all big motors”, $10; “remove and install ignition coil”, $2.60; “remove transmission and clutch”, and clean and fix it, $16.50. And on and on. There are 64 repairs and sub-repairs, and it all looks pretty remarkable to me.
