Hi all, is this the site where i can get some info on my WLC, it was registered in the uk in 1953 but the engine number says its a 1941 WLC and i just wanted to know a bit more about the bike

Engine Number = 42WLC1970
Repair numbers = 320 & B-320-11

 

Guessing you have seen this? Lot of short cut hyper text in it to other pages.

https://www.theliberator.be/liberator6.htm.

You have something real special there.
Please add some more pictures.

Welcome to the HDFORUM.

 

 

Wow stunning 45 you have there!

 

Good looking bike. WLC is Canadian Military VS WLA which would have been US Military. WC's have many specific details that make them different from their US cousins. The most obvious is they utilize a BIG Twin front wheel and move the rockers on the springer to accommodate. Looks like you have a WL front wheel setup.

VIN# looks good to me, those "repair" numbers must be specific to your local DMV, mean nothing to anybody else. Good luck.

 

Welcome to the forum. I can’t see anything wrong with the serial number (SN) and all its characters appear consistent with factory stamping for a 42WLC.
Notice the 4 has a top that is closed but not pointed. Notice the serif across the base does not extend as far right as the horizontal stroke above it. Notice the 2 has a short vertical serif at bottom right. Notice the W, L and C are sans serif. Notice the 1 has a horizontal serif at top left and a serif across the base. Notice your 9 is a certain straight-back type. Notice your 7 has a short vertical serif at top left and also notice the type of back. Notice your 0 appears rounded and not oblong in shape. Here’s a partial example for comparison of most characters.






Watch out if you go to that Liberator website. For example it says the chart was compiled from info in Bruce Palmer’s books and the chart provides three ranges of alleged ‘engine crankcase numbers’ for WLCs. However, that three-word term may be misleading for some people and I’d like to see it changed to a different term such as engine numbers, motor numbers or serial numbers because when a lot of people talk about crankcase numbers they are referring to certain numbers stamped under the cases. And for engines such as WLCs the numbers underneath are also called crankcase production numbers (CPNs), belly numbers, line-bore numbers and/or confidential numbers. If you’re not familiar with them they may be stamped under each case half near the outer edges and somewhat toward the front. And because your SN is low the CPNs may begin with 41 and may be very high. For example 41-11234. Or the CPNs could begin with 42 and be fairly low. For example 42-1234.

Also the person who set that chart up does NOT understand how SNs were assigned and they failed to comprehend what Palmer said. According to that chart the first batch of 42WLCs were numbered 1000-4800 but Palmer does NOT say that. Instead Palmer correctly indicates bikes in that engine family with 1942 SNs 1000-4800 consisted not only of WLCs but also WLAs, WLs and Servi-Cars. This is because models in the same engine family as each other have their SNs mixed in together and Palmer indicates exactly that in his books.

On the left crankcase near the bottom of the sprocket you may find casting number 112-392 but of course the outer primary cover would need to be removed to see it. And nearby you may find a date code (DC) consisting of one letter and one number. Again because your 42 SN is low the DC may be from 41. For example E 1 would indicate casting in May 1941.

Originally the R-H case probably had a DC but it would have been inside the gear compartment and therefore not visible on an assembled engine. And if it was near the front it often fell victim to the machining of the hole to accommodate the generator.

Under the transmission case oil filler spout you may find casting number 121-41 and a DC.

On the frame forgings you may find certain markings which may help determine the model year of the frame.

Regarding the extra ID on the left case and gear cover, they may well be repair numbers but can you tell us please who told you that. Thanks. I myself do not know exactly what that ID indicates but I’ve seen other left cases with similar markings and some are like yours with three sections which are separated by long lines. Often the ID is to the left of the SN boss as yours is but sometimes it is to the R-H side of the boss. Sometimes the only letter is B while other engines have BW. Still others have BOR and suggestions for what that represents include British Ordnance Rebuild and Base Ordnance Rebuild. Another left case was stamped BOR 300|5|45 and someone said it indicated the engine was rebuilt in Bordon, Hampshire, England by the RCEME in May 1945. Could it be possible the B on your engine indicates Bordon? I do not know and I don’t know if any of the other suggestions I’ve run across could be right either.
Eric