I am currently riding a 03 Heritage Springer, but my dream is to rebuild an old WLA. I am currently looking for a basket case WLA to rebuild into an army bike. I have found a couple and am in negotiations, but it is hard to choose sight unseen. They both say that the bike is about 90% complete, which probably means that it is about 75% complete. Price is in the 3500 to 4000 range. What pit falls do I need to look for and what questions should I ask the sellers. I want a nice bike at the end, but it does not need to be 100% original. Thanks for any input. If I get either, I will be posting often to get advice.

 

welcome to the forum. your first step should be to get a copy of bruce palmers book"how to restore your military harley davidson".everything you need to know about the wla,and the differences of the years,very helpfull in i.d.ing parts.first question you should ask is v.i.n. verification.without a clear v.i.n. stamp you have potential problems......johnny

 

Johnny
Thanks for the reply. I have been looking for but have been unable to find it. Any ideas. Thanks again.
Stan

 

Sorry Johnny it should have read I have been looking for the book, but have been unable to find it. My mind goes faster than my fingers.

 

it is available at my local public library, yours doesn't have it,the nearest library that does is norman ok. maybe your library can get it ,worth asking. copys seem to be hard to get to purchase,i just photo copyed what i wanted out of it.it breaks down the wla by year andwhat the changes were.iif you just want to have fun with a wla,it doesn't have to be correct....johnny, p.s. theres one copy available on e bay.

 

Sfry, glad you like WLA. i bilt one couple of years ago,will be glad to help you.Mat