WLA Advice
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 900
Likes: 111
From: surrey, england
WLA Advice
Can anyone give me advice on updating my 42WLA, after getting the motor and transmission out today I have found out that the motor is not original as I was led to believe when I purchased the bike, so have decided rather than restore it to its military spec i will civilianise it & enjoy riding it ! So will remove the military bits and change the overall look of the bike, I would like to change the carb and the old oil bath air filter - any suggestions as to what I should use ? Also is it possible to change the transmission from 3 to 4 speed ?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
When you say not original what do you mean? They made 42 WLA's for several years during the war and always kept the 42 in the serial number, the belly numbers may indicate manufacture in 43 to 45. You are pretty much stuck with a 3 speed unless you want to add a reverse gear transmission, which unless you had a sidecar would be pointless. With the plumber style manifold you may be better off keeping the linkert. You can still get civilian style air cleaners that are period correct to fit it.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 900
Likes: 111
From: surrey, england
Turns out the engine number is not original, although it is stamped 42wlaxxxxx it is not the original typesett used by HD, (my mistake really, should have done more research before buying) !
After stripping the bike down and removing the motor, i was hoping that the belly numbers would match, but alas 'no such luck' !!
I don't really think the guy I bought it from was any the wiser, as he owned it for 6 years, but i'm sure the guy that supposedly originally restored it in 2003 new exactly what it was !!!
Oh well, always look on the positive side, had a great time stripping it down, (took me back to my teenage days, when me & my mates would spend hours pulling bikes etc apart and putting them back together, usually to find they were worse after the event lol, but a good learning curve....) I only hope i can get everything back together again, as it was such a blast to ride !!!
Will pobably leave off the military extras and change a few bits, thanks for your recommendation on the air cleaner, will look for a civvy version.
After stripping the bike down and removing the motor, i was hoping that the belly numbers would match, but alas 'no such luck' !!
I don't really think the guy I bought it from was any the wiser, as he owned it for 6 years, but i'm sure the guy that supposedly originally restored it in 2003 new exactly what it was !!!
Oh well, always look on the positive side, had a great time stripping it down, (took me back to my teenage days, when me & my mates would spend hours pulling bikes etc apart and putting them back together, usually to find they were worse after the event lol, but a good learning curve....) I only hope i can get everything back together again, as it was such a blast to ride !!!
Will pobably leave off the military extras and change a few bits, thanks for your recommendation on the air cleaner, will look for a civvy version.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Another thing on WLA numbers is that Harley sold the army many blank motor cases as replacements. Could it be a case where a motorpool replaced a damaged motor case and transfered the numbers?
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 900
Likes: 111
From: surrey, england
Well she is finally completey stripped, now it is off to the powder coaters for the frame, wheels, forks and a few extra bits and pieces !
I am going to replace the 8 springs making up the springer forks but not sure if I can just undo the nuts at the top and remove these, or do i need a special tool for doing this ?
Also is it easy to remove the throttle and advance cables from inside the handle bars, I had a quick look by removing L/H side grip and retaining screw at the end and taking off the swivel control, but looked to me if it would not be so straightforward to re-assemble ?
Cheers.
I am going to replace the 8 springs making up the springer forks but not sure if I can just undo the nuts at the top and remove these, or do i need a special tool for doing this ?
Also is it easy to remove the throttle and advance cables from inside the handle bars, I had a quick look by removing L/H side grip and retaining screw at the end and taking off the swivel control, but looked to me if it would not be so straightforward to re-assemble ?
Cheers.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
My best advice is to get the manual and parts book. You don't necessarily need a 1942 manual. The 45 motor was used almost unchanged from 1940 to 1973. The two wheel version was made up to 1952 I believe and the servi-car to 73.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 692
Likes: 390
From: Western Australia
Paul, sorry to hear things are not going smoothly. But I have to ask why you think the serial number was not applied with the proper factory stamps for that year and model. What are you using for comparison? Can you post a photo of part of the serial number?
A couple of other things you could record for future reference are the casting number and casting date code on the left crankcase. And you may find a casting number and casting date code on the underside of the transmission case oil filler spout.
Re the handlebar controls, I had the original setup on at least one of my WLAs and I don't recall any problem with assembly. I also had an original internal throttle on both my Shovel and Pan and again, no assembly problems. Eric
A couple of other things you could record for future reference are the casting number and casting date code on the left crankcase. And you may find a casting number and casting date code on the underside of the transmission case oil filler spout.
Re the handlebar controls, I had the original setup on at least one of my WLAs and I don't recall any problem with assembly. I also had an original internal throttle on both my Shovel and Pan and again, no assembly problems. Eric
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
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From: High Desert of So Cal
J&P Cycles has a pretty decent Vintage Bike Catalog. www.nosparts.com is another great source for partsfor both military and civilianized versions of the 42WLA. You can also search the internet for images of the bike and that will give you some ideas on what you can do.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 900
Likes: 111
From: surrey, england
Have managed to get the springs off the forks, I used a ratchet strap & it worked a treat !!
Have decided to go for a new set of handlebars that have all the cables pre-fitted from 45 restoration parts & will probably get a civilian air cleaner at the same time.
Eric, with ref to the engine number, i posted a picture of it on the 42wla group site on yahoo for advice & it was clear from the response I got that it was not original when you compare with others & also after taking the motor out the belly numbers are not matching, so anyway I am quite happy with my decision to civilianise the bike and add my own touch to it as I am looking at keeping it long term.
Frame, forks and various other bits are off for powder coating on Thursday so will keep you posted, i will post pics some pics if i can work out how to do it !!!
Thanks for all your helpful comments & input.
Paul.
Have decided to go for a new set of handlebars that have all the cables pre-fitted from 45 restoration parts & will probably get a civilian air cleaner at the same time.
Eric, with ref to the engine number, i posted a picture of it on the 42wla group site on yahoo for advice & it was clear from the response I got that it was not original when you compare with others & also after taking the motor out the belly numbers are not matching, so anyway I am quite happy with my decision to civilianise the bike and add my own touch to it as I am looking at keeping it long term.
Frame, forks and various other bits are off for powder coating on Thursday so will keep you posted, i will post pics some pics if i can work out how to do it !!!
Thanks for all your helpful comments & input.
Paul.