Considering a 42 WL
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 149
Likes: 45
From: Upstate NY
Considering a 42 WL
I'm looking at this bike on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-David...US_motorcycles
Assuming it's mostly original, and has never had any major work done to it, would it NOT be worth the 13k buy it now price? This seems like the ideal bike to buy and keep AS IS - ratty and unrestored.
Obviously it was spray painted black... probably a VERY long time ago, and if you look at the photos closely you can see the army green coming through.
This is the kind of bike I've always wanted, but I'm not really familiar with these old war bikes.
Any advice would be appreciated.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-David...US_motorcycles
Assuming it's mostly original, and has never had any major work done to it, would it NOT be worth the 13k buy it now price? This seems like the ideal bike to buy and keep AS IS - ratty and unrestored.
Obviously it was spray painted black... probably a VERY long time ago, and if you look at the photos closely you can see the army green coming through.
This is the kind of bike I've always wanted, but I'm not really familiar with these old war bikes.
Any advice would be appreciated.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
I'm looking at this bike on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-David...US_motorcycles
Assuming it's mostly original, and has never had any major work done to it, would it NOT be worth the 13k buy it now price? This seems like the ideal bike to buy and keep AS IS - ratty and unrestored.
Obviously it was spray painted black... probably a VERY long time ago, and if you look at the photos closely you can see the army green coming through.
This is the kind of bike I've always wanted, but I'm not really familiar with these old war bikes.
Any advice would be appreciated.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-David...US_motorcycles
Assuming it's mostly original, and has never had any major work done to it, would it NOT be worth the 13k buy it now price? This seems like the ideal bike to buy and keep AS IS - ratty and unrestored.
Obviously it was spray painted black... probably a VERY long time ago, and if you look at the photos closely you can see the army green coming through.
This is the kind of bike I've always wanted, but I'm not really familiar with these old war bikes.
Any advice would be appreciated.
OK what you found is a WLC < C stands for Canada's military not the USA WLA < army WW2 war Bike WLN is the one to own only a hand full ever built Navy with anchors on each side of the chassis number $100,000 min basket case
value - in the usa that is the top of the mark unless you own one than you think different i sold a 7 series WLA last august at the AMCA event in CT it was 200 from the last one built last year, ( 18,500.00 ) HAD 500 MILES that bikes missing stuff in full trim like original saddlebags are worth 1000 all day any day - original gun and scabard 2000 all day - w shield and splash guards for legs 1500 all day - ammo can with bracket 750 --- this is the sort of stuff if you ever want to go for its full value and appearance its wont be possable that stuff is gone way over the top in cost --
if i were looking Yes it looks like a nice original piece made into a day driver 20 years ago they were 500 bucks - but things have changed - i would let it end but would show interest and have him reach out for you maybe 10 or 11 would be a better deal and gives you room if it has some stuff he forgot to list wrong with it - you are on flea bay
Last edited by johnjzjz; Jul 8, 2014 at 02:52 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 149
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From: Upstate NY
John - THANK YOU... this is extremely helpful information.
I have been craving an unrestored bike lately - and I intend to keep it that way.
Is it true there are no frame numbers? I can only look for matching belly numbers?
Thanks again!
I have been craving an unrestored bike lately - and I intend to keep it that way.
Is it true there are no frame numbers? I can only look for matching belly numbers?
Thanks again!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
so that is not going to be a thing i only had one of 9 WLAs we bought and sold have the same bottom numbers, including a new motor in a crate right from harley the bottoms did not match
one other thing i am 6 3 and its almost impossable for me to get my feet to do the pedals on a 45 - its a real short distance to the seat its almost on top of the gas tank fitted all the way back
i was going to keep one but it was not for a tall guy
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 149
Likes: 45
From: Upstate NY
That's good to know.
Unfortunately that bike sold! That's what I get for waiting, I really wasn't expecting someone to pay the 13k buy it now price.
Oh well, the search continues. If you know of any bikes similar to that (unrestored) let me know.
Thanks!
Unfortunately that bike sold! That's what I get for waiting, I really wasn't expecting someone to pay the 13k buy it now price.
Oh well, the search continues. If you know of any bikes similar to that (unrestored) let me know.
Thanks!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
or make the trip down and come friday or saturday they have hotels local sat we leave after lunch
http://www.yankeechapter.org/hebron.shtml
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 696
Likes: 394
From: Western Australia
Tony, welcome to the forum.
1. I do not think any of the following machines ever originally had a frame number: Model W, WL, WLA, WLC, WLD, WLDD, WLDR, WLH, WLJ, WR and WS. (S is apparently not stamped in the engine serial number.)
Some WLCs had a frame number stamped by the Canadian military when a replacement engine was installed. On such occasions, the serial number from the removed engine was stamped on the frame so the machine itself could be tracked by the serial number of its original engine.
2. Remember, just because an engine has a serial number indicating WLC, WLA, or whatever, does not necessarily mean the serial number was applied at the factory. (There are plenty of non-authentic stampings out there.)
3. An engine with matching belly numbers, provided said numbers are authentic, is more desirable than one with non-matching belly numbers.
4. I have read stories that the US Navy stamped anchors on some of its motorcycle engines and I have pictures of a machine that has two anchors stamped just above the engine serial number (no frame number). The bike is a Model U but I do not know if its anchors were really applied by the navy or if someone else stamped them.
Eric
1. I do not think any of the following machines ever originally had a frame number: Model W, WL, WLA, WLC, WLD, WLDD, WLDR, WLH, WLJ, WR and WS. (S is apparently not stamped in the engine serial number.)
Some WLCs had a frame number stamped by the Canadian military when a replacement engine was installed. On such occasions, the serial number from the removed engine was stamped on the frame so the machine itself could be tracked by the serial number of its original engine.
2. Remember, just because an engine has a serial number indicating WLC, WLA, or whatever, does not necessarily mean the serial number was applied at the factory. (There are plenty of non-authentic stampings out there.)
3. An engine with matching belly numbers, provided said numbers are authentic, is more desirable than one with non-matching belly numbers.
4. I have read stories that the US Navy stamped anchors on some of its motorcycle engines and I have pictures of a machine that has two anchors stamped just above the engine serial number (no frame number). The bike is a Model U but I do not know if its anchors were really applied by the navy or if someone else stamped them.
Eric
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 149
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From: Upstate NY
Interesting! Thanks for the info.
So far the buyer of that bike hasn't paid (from Japan). In 48 hours, if the seller doesn't pay, the owner will sell it to me!
Just waiting for confirmation on those belly numbers.
I doubt there will be any anchors stamped on the motor!
So far the buyer of that bike hasn't paid (from Japan). In 48 hours, if the seller doesn't pay, the owner will sell it to me!
Just waiting for confirmation on those belly numbers.
I doubt there will be any anchors stamped on the motor!
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 696
Likes: 394
From: Western Australia
You’re welcome. Given that the engine is said to be a 42WLC I would expect the serial number to contain certain types of characters—for example, if it was stamped at the factory I would expect its 4s to be a certain style with a closed top and a serif at the base.
Belly numbers may be formatted as per the following example: 42-12345. But don’t be surprised if the 4 and 2 in the year portion are different types to what you find in the serial number. And if there are 4s in the sequence portion of the belly number then they may be of a different style again.
At the factory, part of the reason belly numbers were stamped on production cases was to identify each pair as a matched set that had been line-bored/machined together. That is why belly numbers are sometimes referred to as line-bore numbers.
And I agree with you about anchors; I wouldn’t expect to find them on a WLC.
Eric
Belly numbers may be formatted as per the following example: 42-12345. But don’t be surprised if the 4 and 2 in the year portion are different types to what you find in the serial number. And if there are 4s in the sequence portion of the belly number then they may be of a different style again.
At the factory, part of the reason belly numbers were stamped on production cases was to identify each pair as a matched set that had been line-bored/machined together. That is why belly numbers are sometimes referred to as line-bore numbers.
And I agree with you about anchors; I wouldn’t expect to find them on a WLC.
Eric
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 149
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From: Upstate NY
Eric - thanks again! He sent me a photo of the s/n:
https://plus.google.com/photos/11352...31974756179266
(I don't know how to properly post pictures in the forum for some reason)
Anyway, I'm expecting there to be no issues with the belly numbers, but assuming he checks and they don't match, should I walk away from the deal or offer less?
https://plus.google.com/photos/11352...31974756179266
(I don't know how to properly post pictures in the forum for some reason)
Anyway, I'm expecting there to be no issues with the belly numbers, but assuming he checks and they don't match, should I walk away from the deal or offer less?