WWII courier model

joesnuffy

Glider, or anyone else I am looking for links to the Army's H-D courier model--WLA, K-model, Flathead, or whichever one they used. I'm seriously thinking about one seriously crazy project. Building one. Near as I can tell they are rare as hen's teeth and probably priced accordingly. I've seen in catalogs where the major parts can be bought aftermarket and over a period of time I could probably piece one together. Any and all info or links to info would be appreciated. My grandpa was in WWII as an engineer and this would be a sort of tribute, I guess, and probably a BLAST to ride!

DarkKnight

This from the same wrencher who can't get his 3 wheeler running!! Geesh!

j/k Joe... I think that would be a great idea, and project!

Good Luck with it!

joesnuffy

Thanks, I think. The three wheeler is just a cash flow problem at the moment. Too much flowing in the wrong damn direction!!

DarkKnight

Joe, if you do happen to get that project in the works PLEASE take pics as it progresses. I'd enjoy seeing a replica of a WWII bike as it's being built from the ground up like that!

joesnuffy

Oh, absolutely. I've got a source for the frame, engine, and the rest of the major parts. SOURCES, plural, I should say. It's just the smaller parts then, closely followed by that pesky cashflow problem. I think i've got that one covered, as well. Just need to find some tech info on it to make sure I'm %100 authentic with what I do. I want it to be where a mechanic from that time could recognise and work on it

Zamadan

Found this site
Jan Willem Boon - parts for your Harley-Davidson - database: hardware - 2
go to the left side and click on catalogs they have one with all the parts for the 1937-1973 750 WLA's, 1936-1947 1200 Knuclehead and 1938-1948 1200 Flathead.

Attached Thumbnails

 

roaddawg4life

if you want to know how to do a true or proper wwII bike there is a big wwII muesum in auburn indiana several different harleys from that era we checked these out last spring when we was back there
now the WLA was a flat head 45 ,the wlc was the canadian model ,then there was the XA models theese were a opposed cylinders like a bmw this model was also shaft drive it was my under standing these were built to be used in deseart war fare these also were set up to pull side hacks to.
i myself had a 47 UL45 it had the aluminum heads the 3 speed trannie with the linker carb
also another good example of one and possible info on one is at the general george patton museum at fort knox kentucky
if you are really wanting to get origanal parts there is
1)gary osborne in fort wayne ind 1-260 422 -5942
2)there is a shop in gold hill oregon i think it is called the american bicycle shop i cant find his card so i dont have the phone number but as of last fall he still had tons of old 45 parts
3)j&p cycle puts out a cat for antique iron
these are what i can think of off the top of my head
also if you have question on the 45s i still remember quite a bit about them i have redone the primary ,rebuilt the tranny etc .ihad my 45 when i was 25 that was 23 years ago so any help i can be feel free to ask
later
roaddawg4life

roaddawg4life

imade a mistake my 45 was a WL (45) not a UL that was the 74
also i did find out during wwIIthe us marines from 1941-46 useda 74 cu side valve model called a UA
just though i would pass this on

joesnuffy

I only recently learned of the XA models and you are right; they were produced by the MoCo for use in the desert and rather shamelessly copied from the Beemers. Seems like the chain drive wasn't agreeable with all of the sand. I bought a "coffee table" book on the history of H-D and it was in there. Sand color paint job, side hack, the works. I appreciate all of the leads, fellas, and if any more pop up feel free to let me know. J&P is actually where I think the frame and engine will come from. I've really been shopping this project around and they seem to have the best prices, as usual.

joesnuffy

Not J&P, I meant V-twin mfg. They got all the goodies!