Unusual WLA serial number
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Stage II
Joined: Apr 2008
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Unusual WLA serial number
Hello - I'm a new member from the UK with a long term Shovel and a newly aquired WLA. The WLA has the serial number M 61810 on the side of the crankcase near the timing inspection plug. It also has 45 4400 on the belly of the crankcase. Can anyone shed any light on these numbers as the first one seems to be incorrect. Also the forks have been extended, and I am going to shorten them back down to standard. Can anyone give me a measurement, say from the centre of the pivot at the bottom of the fork to the lip where the bottom yoke 'wraps around' the outside of the fork? (or any other 2 points for that matter)
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Novice
Joined: Nov 2007
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From:
RE: Unusual WLA serial number
welcome youngjohn,the m 61810 is not a wla # so it probably was a blank replacement case restamped.the belly #'s appear to be 1945 year.do these #'s match your reg?my 1942 wla has a fork measurement of 15" bottom of rear leg to wraparound,15 5/8 " front leg. hope this helps.....johnny
Novice
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 15
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From:
RE: Unusual WLA serial number
i don't think harley made engines specificly for those applications, there would be enough briggs,waukesha's.the water pump,gen's motors were probably war surplus wla's with wla or blank vins.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,460
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From: pasco county FL
RE: Unusual WLA serial number
45 4400 Might be the serial number , USAF aircraft (formed after WW2) the serial number the 1st 2 digits were the fiscal year of the the purchase , so the motorcycle might be a 1945 buy and 4400 is the serial number ?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
RE: Unusual WLA serial number
the 45 4400 is not a serial number it is the crankcase production number. \\; Both case halves should have the same number showing that they were machined and mated together. \\; The cases were made in 1945 but with WLA's the serial number could have started with 42WLAXXXX since they made 42 WLA's into 1945. \\; The serial number you have may have been a builders #. \\; Check to see if the number boss has been ground down or overstamped. \\; It may have been put on a set of blank replacement cases that were available for years.
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1
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Weird wla serial number as well!!
Hi Guys I'm a HD Virgin so treat me gently, I have bought a HD 45 engine as I'm going to re build it as a 42 WLA & I searched the net to find info on the engine number I have & hey presto someone else has another weird number & also from the UK??
Mine has matching belly numbers starting with 42 but the stamp for the engine number looks like it could be a replacement motor for 4879? maybe a date it was replaced as well 6/7/45?? but not too sure of the letters??
what do you think?
Dave
Mine has matching belly numbers starting with 42 but the stamp for the engine number looks like it could be a replacement motor for 4879? maybe a date it was replaced as well 6/7/45?? but not too sure of the letters??
what do you think?
Dave
Last edited by griffogpw; Aug 4, 2009 at 05:24 AM.
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Stage II
Joined: Jul 2009
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1969 harley title????
hi ,i have a 1969 harley title it starts with a d and than 4 numbers ,can anyone tell me what title that is ,thanks
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Joined: Aug 2009
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If you have a "D", it would be, 1928 - 1937, the D model preceeded the WL, as the first 45" flathead. It will not be a 1969, or its a state assingned #. if you live in Tenn. & the title was assigned in Al., when it was transferred, it will not carry the st. designation when registered in another st. It should read something close to 36 D 1234
Stage II
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
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From: Indiana
I have the opportunity to buy a 45 flathead but it has no title! The vin numbers match. The number is bmv18258ind. The motor is in pieces and appears to have never been used or put together. Any ideas as to what the motor is from and how to obtain a title?