Harley Davidson WLA 1942

[Viva]

Hi,

I love the look of the Harley Davidson WW2 error bike, it seems to have different names, but commonly called a WLA. Circa 1942.
Obviously they're rare as hens teeth in NZ, so I was looking at replicas and found a place in France that takes a modern Harley and makes it look similar. They're pretty cool, but I suspect very expensive.
Has anyone come across any replicas around the world that are reasonably priced and able to be imported? I'd have thought there was a Chinese place doing it, but I can't seem to find it, just one selling sidecars. There's someone on Ebay selling little more than frames and rims for about $4599!

Cheers,
Viva

[jellywrestler]

there's fuck all rare bikes now, google one and you'll
find one for sale.

[Ginge09]

You’ll find there’s a few old Indian war horses around NZ if you’ve got the coin. Look and sound similar. Perform similarly probably.

Otherwise I would have thought US would be better bet than a rebuild in France.

Or buy an early sportster and paint it green...

[AllanB]

Buy a cheap Sportster and go for your life.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/harley-davidson-883-xwl-warboy-us-army-replica-26832.html

[jellywrestler]

Buy a cheap Sportster and go for your life.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/harley-davidson-883-xwl-warboy-us-army-replica-26832.html

don't expect to be able to ride it to armageddon, the fun police have jumped on that too

[Voltaire]

don't expect to be able to ride it to armageddon, the fun police have jumped on that too

Should be fine as long as the chain has a guard to stop your uniform getting caught.

[Paul in NZ]

There are still a few about but everyone knows what they are and what they are worth - or at least cost..

Like an original Indian WW2 bike 741B they are a derivative of a civilian model the WL. They were made in Canada as well (WLC). While you might like the look of them they are deathly slow

[jellywrestler]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/183747092068?fbclid=IwAR2KKPG733XIxkd7QJvnbpqyVjHh 7IrerUKshbRD1gz7lvIdG7yABiBs-NU

[husaberg]

Try Aussie they were commoner there in the weekly inkies they were common and cheap up to the early 80's in the US and UK but they became for some reason expensive. Fashion i guess.
They would be lucky to have 15 HP

[Grumph]

Try Aussie they were commoner there in the weekly inkies they were common and cheap up to the early 80's in the US and UK but they became for some reason expensive. Fashion i guess.
They would be lucky to have 15 HP

I'd like to see someone apply to have one LAMS approved....

[husaberg]

I'd like to see someone apply to have one LAMS approved....

An 883 would likely qualify on Power to weight
much lower hp than a hobag 650 and only 2kg lighter (likely actually heavier)

[onearmedbandit]

An 883 would likely qualify on Power to weight
much lower hp than a hobag 650 and only 2kg lighter (likely actually heavier)

I've just had my 883 engine arrive at shipping in America and crated weight comes in at 147kg and that doesn't look like a very heavy (or sturdy) crate. For a claimed 45 horses. Oh well guess it'll get that 1200 kit sooner than later.

[husaberg]

I've just had my 883 engine arrive at shipping in America and crated weight comes in at 147kg and that doesn't look like a very heavy (or sturdy) crate. For a claimed 45 horses. Oh well guess it'll get that 1200 kit sooner than later.

Cheaper than getting one here?
Or just went the late moel route?

[onearmedbandit]

Cheaper than getting one here?
Or just went the late moel route?

A bit of both. Couldn't find the generation that I wanted here and it would've been more expensive if I had been able to.

[Grumph]

I've just had my 883 engine arrive at shipping in America and crated weight comes in at 147kg and that doesn't look like a very heavy (or sturdy) crate. For a claimed 45 horses. Oh well guess it'll get that 1200 kit sooner than later.

Looking at that crate, doesn't appear to have provision for a forklift to go underneath.
I'd rate it as 50/50 you'll have a fork through it.

The stuff i've shipped international or interisland, I've always put on a base like a pallet.
But you're in the hands of your supplier. Good luck.

[pete376403]

Looking at that crate, doesn't appear to have provision for a forklift to go underneath.
I'd rate it as 50/50 you'll have a fork through it.

The stuff i've shipped international or interisland, I've always put on a base like a pallet.
But you're in the hands of your supplier. Good luck.


the crate does appear to be on a pallet/ Whether it ships with the pallet is another matter.

[husaberg]

Looking at that crate, doesn't appear to have provision for a forklift to go underneath.
I'd rate it as 50/50 you'll have a fork through it.

The stuff i've shipped international or interisland, I've always put on a base like a pallet.
But you're in the hands of your supplier. Good luck.

Looks to me like there is?
It looks like a STD international shipping crate?

[Grumph]

I stand corrected. I hadn't seen the pic full size and the angle fooled me.
Well spotted sirs.

[rudolph]

That one on the ebay link was a good price, its a lot less than an Indian 741b

[jim.cox]

How deep are your pockets?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-2016206664.htm