WLA Harley Classic?

Hi all thought Id post a few pics of my last project, a 1942 mdl 45 cubic inch (or 750 cc) WLA Harley Davidson "Civilianized" my way. It was bought as a complete basket case some 25 years ago when soon after I got married and that shelved it for some 23 years. The G/box plus motor has been completely rebuilt by myself, fitting and grinding bearings aswell as I tried my hand at balancing an engine. It runs extremely sweet after fist kick and loves to cruise all day at 55,60 mph.The paint work was also done by me and its come up pretty nice. Took me over 2 years to choose a color, I new it just had to be red but what shade! I also loved those fat 5 inch chrome rims with white wall tyres which also help cushion the ride some what.Causes great interest where ever I ride it and is also a multiple trophy winner from bike shows. Would love a dollar for every photo taken of it! regards FOXY

Dang, that sure is a nice old Harley.

I think if I was ever going to pay money for an HD, it would have to be a nice mid 40s model, maybe even up to early 50s, but that's it.

You really did a great job on that build.

What an old beauty. It reminds me of one that had been civilianized by the Sacramento Harley dealer many years ago.

Thanks grandpaul & cookie. Im not familiar with the Sacramento Harley but I must admit to looking at numerous photos of other jobs done and you learn an incredible amount as to what looks good and....dreadful! I tried to pay alot attention to detail, corect positioning of front fender light, wiring looms, cad & stainless nuts bolts, G/box covers etc etc. I finished it of with the stainless fender trims as this was a must have to complete the look I was after, something special!

Regards FOXY

Very nice Indeed!

I'm in the process of lapping the rod bearing races on my HD; do you have any tips on how to prevent bell-mouthing?

Again, very nice bike. I appreciate your efforts on correctness.

Thanks,

Jason

not my style, but that's a nice bike!...

Foxy, What a wonderful old bike and the standards you have achieved are a credit to your time and effort. When I was a teenager here in Hong Kong in the early 70s, there was an elderly Chinese gent (he was probably as old as I am now!) who rode one of these daily and parked it in the Central business district where I also parked from time to time. I had a DT 250 Yamaha trail bike, but I got friendly with him and he told me he had ridden it from Shanghai to Hong Kong just after the war. he loved the bike to bits and would never part with it - I wonder what eventually happened to it?

The human-interest side of old vehicles always fascinates me, a friend has a 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost that was the factory demonstrator model for India, we did a 3,000 mile tour of Scotland in it in 2007 and it was a wonderful experience visiting all of the places where the original Silver Ghost 'AX 201' performed those motoring feats that were to cement the Rolls Royce reputation exactly 100 years before.

I'm glad I asked about the bike. Talk about how some experiences can't be purchased. Truly a great effort.

Very nice Foxy, there is something about the old Harlies that the new ones just can't get right, you should be very happy with your workmanship and the colour is outsatnding.

Ashley

Foxy - really nice to see, another fine resto to compliment your Panther etc'. Bit sentimental this WLA for me, as it was the 1st bike I ever owned. Bought an ex Army one when I was 16, err..that's 40 years ago. It was matt green allover , had a leather saddle and still had the rifle holster on the front fork. It was all intact, but not running and I didn't have the skills or money to do much with it (or even a drivers licence either) so I sold it to a bloke for $200 and he turned it into a chopper. Sad, but that what was the thing to do in the '70's.

Again, its one of those "wish I had kept that bike" situations. Probably said that a 100 time to myself over the years!

Cheers,
Mick

G'day All, many thanks for the positive replies! It was a long drawn out restoration taking some 3 years of spare time after getting back into it. There's many pieces of interest that went into its build, cadmium plate every where including the trans covers & drive sprockets. All wiring was color coded to original specs, some stainless nuts and bolts, plastic washers under some to protect the paint if removed. The two pack (no clear) red color comes from the Ford Probe 2 door car, its a European model, the color is slightly pastel toned to me and loved it over my over the other choice, Mitsubishi red. The Harley red of the time I did not like so as its a custom build, painted to what I liked and not the original Olive drab! I would like to do another one but sufficient funds and time elude me! A world wide classic motorcycle auctions evaluator told me my Harley wasn't just a restoration, but an art form! Got to admit that comment made me feel all the time and effort very worth while!
Sorry to hear Mick that you had one and parted with it, or should I say gave it away! One of many similar stories I've heard from admirers. Later this year in Moama Vic Oz there's a 75 yr celebration of the W series in Australia. My OLD 45 (rego) is one of over 100 registerd to participate, Bill Rodencal from Harley-Davidson USA is coming over for this event. I will post some photos after the run is completed.
regards foxy

Well the 75th Anniverssary of the 45 "W" series Harley Davidson celebration has been run in Moama on the Murray River, Australia, and what a fantastic, greatest organised event I've attended! Catering was exceptional, too much to eat and all one could drink (HIC.....!) making for interesting riding the next morning! Over 200 W series 45's paticipating over the 3 day event. Some 300 miles clocked up checking out picturesque distric of Shepparton and Bendigo. I didnt get to take many pics as I spent alot of time talking making new friends and catching up with some old, over all an absolute blast!!
Many positive comments on my efforts in the restoration job including some saying I was'nt running oil in it as there was no oil leaks!
In the latest UK CLASSIC BIKE MAGAZINE jan/feb issue, theres a write up on the event, Im told there's a picture of me on"OLD45" and a short story! Im looking forward to checking it out when the mags hit OZ! Apparently the helmet I'm wearing looks like Im ready to be shot out of a cannon! :mrgreen:
I hope you enjoy the few pics Ive posted!

Nice post thanks Foxy.
Always good to see the range of restorations, and the apparently unrestored, when there is a collection of similar machines.
Also brings to mind the International Norton rally in those parts a few years ago - good times.
Iain

Thanks for sharing - looks like a real good time!

Here's a link to quite a few nice pics of WLA's on the run, all in various forms of trim

http://www.heavyduty.com.au/galleries/w ... sary-ride/

Another link to great photo's of WL Harleys. Good source for color schemes etc if you were doing one.

http://s236.beta.photobucket.com/user/D ... =slideshow