1942 Harley-Davidson WLA
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Vehicle Specifications
- VINN/A
- Motorcycle ID201938099
- Stock Number1276
- CategoryMotorcycle
- SubcategoryStreet
- TypeStandard
- New/UsedUsed
- MileageN/A
- TransmissionManual
- Exterior ColorGreen
- Fuel SystemGasoline
- Heated Seats?No
- Saddlebags?No
- Cruise Control?No
- Antilock Brakes?No
Motorcycle Overview
1942 HARLEY DAVIDSON WLA 45 CUBIC INCH V-TWIN FLATHEAD W/ POST-WAR GOULDING LS 29 TUB
The WLA was a iconic wartime motorcycle produced for the U.S. Army during WWII, often called 'the Liberator' for those who rode them. It was designed for reliability, with reinforced chassis, heavy-duty fenders, a robust luggage rack, and a Thompson sub-machine gun scabbard, cloaked in the armys signature olive drab paint. The 45-degree flathead V-Twin was designed to run on lower octane gas and able to reach speeds near 60 mph. Roughly 90,000 WLAs were produced for the war effort, serving as dependable transportation for dispatch, military police, and reconnaissance, with many being produced with special blackout lights for night operations. The W series engines were 45 cubic inch flathead motors, with the L indicating high compression heads, and the A in WLA meaning it was used by the Army. Standard equipment on most WLAs included a windshield with lower apron, leg shields, special blackout lighting, leather saddle bags, skid plate, luggage carrier, ammunition box carriers and safety bars. CONDITION: The bike itself seems pretty complete, with mostly original period-correct parts. The bike has been repainted at some point after the war, and the military nomenclature plate has been completely painted over, with a motor serial number of 42WLA64230 that would put it more than halfway through the production run. We have not made any attempt to start this bike, but it will kick over with good compression, transmission shifts through the gears, and the bike rolls freely. The bike is believed to have a post-war Goulding LS-29 replacement tub, which appears in near new condition, with virtually no dents, scrapes, or abrasions from military use. Sold as-is with no warranty.
The WLA was a iconic wartime motorcycle produced for the U.S. Army during WWII, often called 'the Liberator' for those who rode them. It was designed for reliability, with reinforced chassis, heavy-duty fenders, a robust luggage rack, and a Thompson sub-machine gun scabbard, cloaked in the armys signature olive drab paint. The 45-degree flathead V-Twin was designed to run on lower octane gas and able to reach speeds near 60 mph. Roughly 90,000 WLAs were produced for the war effort, serving as dependable transportation for dispatch, military police, and reconnaissance, with many being produced with special blackout lights for night operations. The W series engines were 45 cubic inch flathead motors, with the L indicating high compression heads, and the A in WLA meaning it was used by the Army. Standard equipment on most WLAs included a windshield with lower apron, leg shields, special blackout lighting, leather saddle bags, skid plate, luggage carrier, ammunition box carriers and safety bars. CONDITION: The bike itself seems pretty complete, with mostly original period-correct parts. The bike has been repainted at some point after the war, and the military nomenclature plate has been completely painted over, with a motor serial number of 42WLA64230 that would put it more than halfway through the production run. We have not made any attempt to start this bike, but it will kick over with good compression, transmission shifts through the gears, and the bike rolls freely. The bike is believed to have a post-war Goulding LS-29 replacement tub, which appears in near new condition, with virtually no dents, scrapes, or abrasions from military use. Sold as-is with no warranty.
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