Vintage Speed Build: 1941 WLA Flat Track Racer
By Bruce Montcombroux

When a classic WLA is met with the insatiable need for speed, the result is this cool machine.

 

Great pic. People like Sam Arena and Joe Leonard with a crew of Al Fernandes and Tom Sifton were setting records for this sort of thing in the 40s and 50s. Frames were drilled in about every place that could be drilled in order to reduce the weight of the bike and keep the integrity. Oft time in addition to no front brake there was no rear brake as well (reduce weight). Bikes were mostly just a motor, tranny, carb, throttle, two wheels (both aluminum rims), mag (eliminates needs for battery), bars and a seat. You had to be a serious rider to take a flathead and ride it like that ballz out. And yes people like Tom modified the internals (think cams) in order to out perform the other riders on the track.

 

They where built by Rossmeyer https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/new...davidson.shtml original price $57,888

 

Sorry but these are not Elvis bikes...not even close.