1942 wla army motorcycle patches

Harleydavidson joined the war effort and rolled over europe with the powerful wla motorcycle. We see a soldier with his harleydavidson 45 wla liberator model making an almost impossible descent. Military motorcycle vests, military gifts and more at. This 1942 harleydavidson wla type ii is the standard 45 ci model built for the u. Powered by the 45 cid flathead, side valve engine rated by harley at 23 horsepower there is more than enough power to get this 562 pound motorcycle moving in a hurry. The soldiers of the us army were trained into perfection how to use their wla s in a variety of extremely hard conditions.

Find 1942 motorcycles for sale on oodle classifieds. As was common with many of the military motorcycles after world war ii, this one was sold for civilian use. Affectionately known as the liberator, harleydavidsons wla is one of the most famous military motorcycles of all time. Rider draws a thompson smg from its carrying case on this harley davidson wla solo motorcycle, 1942. Harley davidson 1942 wla warhorse army motorcycle franklin. Parts and spares war department harley davidson motorcycles. If you have any questions regarding ordering or anything, feel free to email us on the shippingcontact link. Biker patches motorcycle patches skull patches vest.

Based on the wl w a model line of bikes, l high compression, a army. Harleydavidson 45 wla liberator riders training 4 fort. The 1942 harley davidson wla motorcycle and harley davidson xa motorcycle were two models harley designed for the united states military during world war ii though rival indian also supplied motorcycles to the u. Customizedcivilianized motorcycles are not directly rated by nada. Most wlcs were produced in 1943, and are marked 43wlc. The united states army was buying some harley motorcycles in 1940, a military version featuring the companys 45 cubic inch 740 cc engine and designated the wl model. Mar 19, 20 vintage ww2 harley davidson wla 45 motorcycle army g i. The harleydavidson xa was a motorcycle developed for use by the us military during wwii. General check over and adjustment for one of the army s motorcycles at fort knox, ky, june 1942. Used for police and escort, courier duties and some scouting. If it looks a little familiar to you, thats because youve probably seen it a few times before, but with a different badge on the fuel tank. Veteran yellow on black army harley davidson biker. Find military motorcycle vests, military gifts and more at.

It was based on an existing civilian model, the wl, and is of the 45 solo type, so called due to its 45cubicinch 740 cm 3 engine displacement and singlerider design. Featuring rusted heavy duty hardwear,snake sleeve prints,back patch and junkers unique aging and. American gis, returning to their tame civilian lives, soon began to miss the thrills, excitement and sense of brotherhood and. We offer skull patches, military patches, usa flag patches, christian patches and more. Bike has only been ridden less than 100 miles in the last 20 years. Military patches a part of our national identity the roots of bikers, and, by extension, the patches they wear, go back to the second world war. Commissioned in 1965 and saw duty in south australia. Original military 1942 harley davidson wla bikeurious. Take a look at the harley davidson wla build in 1942, it was used by the us army during wwii. It was used by the army for reconnaissance, messenger service, and police operations, and was supplied to all arms and services.

Military cutaway 1942 harleydavidson wla harley davidson. Designated wla army or wlc canadianbuilt, the harley 45 saw action in just about every theatre of war. 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. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order 1toz. Join millions of people using oodle to find unique used motorcycles, used roadbikes, used dirt bikes, scooters, and mopeds for sale. The wla is geared up with a 45 cubic inch vtwin engine. Militarized motorcycles allowed for fast reconnaissance and communications between the frontlines and rear areas. Clear colorado title, as a 1942 harley davidson motorcycle. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and.

This 1942 harleydavidson wla, us army motorcycle was rebuilt and restored by the ewm restoration crew. The harley davidson motorcycle company started selling bikes in 1904 and, by 1920, it had become the largest motorcycle company in the world. I just love this motorcycle yesterdays vintage motorcycles. The main us military motorcycle of ww ii book new 2020 hc. Quoted military indian production was close to 10,000 units in 1942, the vast majority for us army or use by allies.

Dont forget to like us on facebook and stay updated on new custom patches and designs or follow us on twitter. Fast and durable, this solid motorcycle carried allied soldiers on countless campaigns. But harley riders in the military had difficulty with the indians foot clutch operated with the heel. Frames and many other parts were not tagged with the serial number, and cannot generally be dated. Unusually, all the wlas produced after pearl harbor, regardless of the actual year, would be given serial numbers indicating 1942 production. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily primary operator. The franklin mint us army 1942 harleydavidson wla military.

American gis, returning to their tame civilian lives, soon began to miss the thrills, excitement and sense of brotherhood and shared adventure they had grown so used to during wartime. Harley davidson motorcycles, harley davidson wla, cars motorcycles, indian motors, hd. With the second world war well under way and with the american entry into the hostilities at the end of 1941, the u. Here are some pictures of my 1942 harley wla which i. A superb and rare photo of the us army riders training centre at fort knox in the state of kentucky, usa, in 1942. Aug 8, 2014 i just love this motorcycle yesterdays vintage motorcycles the harley davidson ca 1942 wla 750cc 2 cyl sv. Revellmonogram kenworth w900 plastic model truck kit. There are a total of 12 military motorcycles in the military factory. Jun 11, 2015 1942 harley davidson wla mc us army motorcycle richard bauman stay safe and healthy. Oct 17, 2015 the harleydavidson xa was a motorcycle developed for use by the us military during wwii. Wla in very good condition and is almost 100% original parts. The engine runs great, pulls hard, and the sound it produces is sure to turn heads.

Of all the motorcycles harley produced for the military, the harleydavidson wla was by far the most common though that doesnt mean its easy to find nowadays. The precise serial number, as well as casting marks, can be used to date a specific motor accurately, and some other parts bear year and month stamps. Motorcycle parts for 1942 harleydavidson wla for sale ebay. Sep 10, 20 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. My liberator harleydavidson 42wla31854 dod early 1943. Veteran patches military biker patches for vets thecheapplace. On september 22nd, 1942, he was selected to be a special motorcycle escort to president. Government placed orders with harleydavidson for a stout military motorcycle, and the 45 cubic inch sidevalve vtwin wl model was selected. And this 1942 harley wla, which we spotted on the mecum auctions site, is a fantastic example of the breed. Featuring rusted heavy duty hardwear,snake sleeve prints,back patch and. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. This bike is complete, runs and was driven 2 weeks ago, recent carb rebuild and new battery, has a clear ohio title. The w stood for the 45 cubic inch side valve engine designed in 1937 while the l covered its high compression the a signified the customer the us army. Aug 21, 2012 harleydavidson wla was a military motorcycle produced for the u.

Cool patches, biker patches, drawing flames, vegas tattoo, black spades, black spiderman, skull. Go to military vehicle and motorcycle shows and take lots of photographs get in. It was based on an existing civilian model, the wl, and is of the 45 solo type, so called due to its 45cubicinch 740 cm 3. The harleydavidson wla is a harleydavidson motorcycle that was produced to us army specifications in the years during and around world war ii.

This was part 370242m since it was designed or approved in 1942. General check over and adjustment for one of the armys motorcycles at fort knox, ky, june 1942. It has been restored with a fresh paint job, blackout lights, an ammo box, material carrier and the oilbath air cleaner. Various sizes and styles of biker patches to put on your leather motorcycle jackets or leather vests or hats. Now, the legend returns in a precisionengineered model so exact you can almost hear the roar of its vtwin engine. Harley davidson news harley davidson bike pics motos harley, harley davidson motorcycles, motorcycle. Military cutaway 1942 harleydavidson wla post listing update. Original restored matching numbers wwii 1943 series iv military wla harleydavidson motorcycle for sale auction may end at any time, unannounced, without prior notice. Theres just something special about the combination of military might and harleydavidson grit. By the end of the war, nearly 88,000 of the wla and wlcs were built, and they ended their careers almost everywhere, gaining the nickname of liberator. Army asked harleydavidson to design a motorcycle based on the bmws used by german forces that would incorporate shaft drive. This 1942 harley davidson wla is a classic american military motorcycle.

The harley davidson motorcycle company always used a series of letters to designate all of the motorcycle models they produced and assigned this new military model the letters wla. Dec 26, 2012 take a look at the harley davidson wla build in 1942, it was used by the us army during wwii. Italeri us army wwii motorcycle wla45 plastic model. Andy from woringen, germany sent us these photos of his magnificent 1942 wla harley flathead bobber which is a true oldschool motorcycle andy. The front fender has markings of an army engineer unit.

Demobbed harley wls helped meet the upsurge in demand for motorcycles in the immediate postwar years, doing much to establish the marques reputation worldwide, while the civilian version remained a catalogued model until the end of. Most photos taken august 26, 2007, in both the sunshine, and in the shade. Original key and factory assembly instruction booklet. Army ranger on harleydavidson wla motorcycle, sicily, military photos, military history. Indian 1940 chief cav 340 wwii motorcycle harley wla duration. Andys 1942 wla flathead engine has the left foot clutch and left hand tank shift, all in the good old harley davidson tradition. Show your military pride with the finest quality military patches, pins and gifts from all branches of the military. Shoulder sleeve insignia ssi are cloth emblems worn on the shoulders of us army uniforms to identify the primary headquarters to which a soldier is assigned. Indeed, the harleydavidson wla military motorcycle was truly one of the technological heroes of world war ii. The us army 1942 harleydavidson wla military motorcycle was the standard solo motorcycle used during wwii that was similar to the familiar 2cylinder motorcycles used by police and civilians. Division insignia of the united states army wikipedia. He wears the tan cotton service uniform with 4th service command patch on his shoulder.

The motorcycle otherwise known as the liberator and the bike that won the war is perhaps even more popular today than ever. Front suspension was a springer type and rear suspension was rigid hardtail. Dec 29, 2017 the motorcycle otherwise known as the liberator and the bike that won the war is perhaps even more popular today than ever. I think the paint loss is from moving the bike and storage as it does not appear to have been. Complete with three handcharge gearbox transmission. Army tech 3 patches 1940s set of 4 free shipping ourleftovers. The 1942 harley davidson wla used a 45 cid 740 cc air cooled four stroke side valve vtwin motor that produced 22 hp with a 3 speed tank shifted transmission for a top speed of near 60 mph. The harleydavidson wla is a harleydavidson motorcycle that was produced to us army. Army between december 10, 1941, and february 15, 1942. But a few chiefs were hitched to sidecars, painted gray, and used by the us navy. Nicknamed liberator since it was ridden by soldiers liberating occupied europe. I would rather an ok body condition used bike that is mechanically strong rather than something in mint condition that is used as an ornament but will consider all types.