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$10,800.00

1942 Harley-Davidson WLA 45 Antique Flathead Vintage

Posted Sep 28, 2024 | Hits
FairMail - Cards with perspective
Country: USA
Region: CT
Make: Harley-Davidson
City: North Haven
Zip: 06503
Model: WLA 45
Year: 1942
Mileage: 53 Miles
Color: Green
Condition: Used
Engine: 45 cc
1942 Harley Davidson WLA
This bike was recently dialed in front to back. All the lights work, brakes work, transmission is fresh works great. Engine runs strong, this bike has a siren that functions.
The helmet, the winter lap guard and leg guards, the fake gun, scabbard, whistle, siren, gloves, shovel extras that go with the bike.
The Harley-Davidson WLA is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was produced to US Army specifications in the years during and around World War II. It was based on an existing civilian model, the WL, and is of the 45 solo type, so called due to its 45-cubic-inch (740 cm3) engine displacement and single-rider design. The same engine, in a slightly lower state of tune, also powered the three-wheeled Servi-Car (the "G" family), leading to the "solo" distinction.
W : the W family of motorcycles. Harley-Davidson (except in very early models) gives a letter designation for each model family. The W series at the time was the newest incarnation of the 45-cubic-inch (740 cm3) flathead motor, and was developed from the earlier R family 1932–1936.
L : "high compression", in the usual HD scheme. The "low compression" W model was only briefly available.
A : Army. The company would also produce a model to the slightly different specifications of the Canadian Army, which would be named the WLC. The WLCs differed from WLAs chiefly in the use of some heavier components, usually Big Twin parts, as well as Canadian blackout lighting.
Harley-Davidson began producing the WLA in small numbers in 1940, as part of a general military expansion. The later entry of the United States into World War II saw significantly increased production, with over 90,000 being produced during the war (along with spare parts the equivalent of many more). Harley-Davidson would also produce a close WLA variant for the Canadian Army called the WLC and would also supply smaller numbers to the UK, South Africa, and other allies, as well as filling orders for different models from the Navy and Marine Corps.
Unusually, all the WLAs produced after Pearl Harbor, regardless of the actual year, would be given serial numbers indicating 1942 production. Thus, war-time machines would come to be known as 42WLAs. This may have been in recognition of the use of the continued use of the same specification.

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