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In fact, besides a ’70 Sprint SS350 I had (which I rally don’t count as being an H-D), this is my first Harley-Davidson.
The one I got starts and runs just fine without it, but is missing the spark advance bracket and cable, and is thus fixed with a wire.
I do have the proper left side twist grip.
Since I’m not a whipper-snapper anymore (a healthy but beat-up by moto wrecks 61 years young), I’m playing the long game, here, and thinking an advance might help out, especially when I’m older.
The bike is not exactly an original creampuff, but a nice, stock-looking rider.
My instincts tell me to just chase down the bracket and cables, since they’re out there.
Then I saw this, and I wondered if anyone here was running one, and what the thoughts are?:
Again, my thoughts are that I really don’t want to take away the charm of the manual advance, and it’s so ultra-simple, but I would also love to hear about anyone who is/was running the auto advance.
A picture of what your talking about not being versed in the pieces your will throw cash at it for the wrong reasons
WL or what ever it is is the common model so p[ictures will ID what it is how original it is < all the value is in this - and actually what you are dealing with
this is the first thing to do put a piece of tape on the engine numbers not the letters so it can be ID
Manual advance is simple as can be on a WL. Retard half way for kicking, then advance full when started and never touch it again. Auto Advance is over thinking, answer to a question that didn't need to be asked.
45 Resto is a good source for after market parts for a WL, eBay you may be able to find original parts, good luck.
I have found the site you speak of, and I actually called Abe there this AM to get info on that advance unit, just out of curiosity.
It’s made in Taiwan and really seems like an item suitable for a chopper/minimalist build to delete a cable.
I suspected as much, and the more I sat on that, the more I realized the way to go for me is to just get the parts I need to fix what I have.
Yes, it’s simple, and there’s something cool about it as well.
Here’s Wilma. She’s got ’60 GL cases (titled as a ’60 with an AZMVD-issued VIN) and a GL clutch pedal (which is perfect for my wrecked and rebuilt left foot). Frame, trans, front end, etc., are ’47-’52. Engine and trans rebuilt by an old feller from a reputable shop. She has repop fenders (front having been bobbed tastefully, IMHO) and a few other repop parts. Heads are actually cast iron GL ones that were painted to look like the WL aluminum ones. Frame and other parts have been powder-coated. Front wheel and brake are a dual-leading shoe set-up off an old Suzuki DT. I had considered chasing down the original, but I am going to just get the parts powder-coated to match the bike. Reason being is both cost, and the fact that this thing really stops well with the upgraded brakes, and I like that. Definitely not an “original” bike per se, but she was built well, and the price reflected her level of originality…I’m not in this to go to shows, win trophies, and have a numbers-matching original ride…I’m in it to ride and enjoy (that, and I didn’t have $12-$50k laying around to spend on a bike, lol):
Last edited by Revvin’ Kevin; Sep 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM.
Thanks. Although I’m a seasoned motorcycle rider, I am taking my time getting used to this, as she’s a completely different animal than any BMW, Triumph, or Japanese bike I have ever been on.
Quite frankly, I love her thus far, and that Servi clutch suits my beat-up left foot (I had to sell my ’73 BMW R60/5 because I had problems ridng it, and they are not easily modded like Japanese bikes by simply moving the shifter position and/or installing a heal-toe).
I feel like my interstate riding days are behind me, anyway, and I’m looking forward to some mellow two-lane fun.
Literature on the way so I can begin to know her inside and out, as well.
I love this forum, and I appreciate all the great feedback I’ve received thus far.
The stock heel-toe shifter once mastered is excellent, but yeh you need to contort your ankle in an unnatural way to get it to work. Servi style clutch perfectly acceptable alternate, tell every one it is for racing like a WR.
In fact, besides a ’70 Sprint SS350 I had (which I rally don’t count as being an H-D), this is my first Harley-Davidson.
The one I got starts and runs just fine without it, but is missing the spark advance bracket and cable, and is thus fixed with a wire.
I do have the proper left side twist grip.
Since I’m not a whipper-snapper anymore (a healthy but beat-up by moto wrecks 61 years young), I’m playing the long game, here, and thinking an advance might help out, especially when I’m older.
The bike is not exactly an original creampuff, but a nice, stock-looking rider.
My instincts tell me to just chase down the bracket and cables, since they’re out there.
Then I saw this, and I wondered if anyone here was running one, and what the thoughts are?:
Again, my thoughts are that I really don’t want to take away the charm of the manual advance, and it’s so ultra-simple, but I would also love to hear about anyone who is/was running the auto advance.
TIA.
Since all my literature is still on the way, I’m not certain what manual advance bracket I need for my application, or if they are different.
I’ve seen a couple online that seem to be for different years (though the pictures look to be the same part to me).
My bike has 1960 GL cases and heads, though the rest of the innards are ’47-’52.
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Spark advance questions.
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