Need some guidance on a 42 HD Motorcycle
 

WLA bike. I know they made about 80,000 of them. Belonged to a friend of mine who died recently. His widow has offered it to me.

As with most of these, it has been "civilianized". Black paint is presentable. New seat cover years ago but has been stored in living room environment (literally, it was in the guy's living room before he got married 30+ years ago) and then stored in an enclosed patio, also heated and cooled.

Engine is not locked up. Turns relatively easy with the kick starter. I did not turn it much, as I just wanted to see if it was locked. Could hear air escaping from the compression, as I am certain there is no oil on the rings. Would really like to get it running.

Missing the air cleaner assembly. I have not viewed a diagram, so I am not sure, but looks to me like it is also missing some sort of adapter for the air cleaner. Choke moved easily and the throttle moved easily. Don't see any other missing parts.

I know less about antique Harleys than I do about women. In other words, I know nothing.

Is it worth $9k as it sits?

Sorry about the pics. Every time I load them from my phone they end up sideways.

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Looks amazing

I have a friend of a friend that has every kind of vintage motorcycle, and would find out any info you need.

LMK

Ryan W31

I’m sure you know that the engine has been restamped and that the frame vin and engine vin do not match. The 98 Fat Boy tank emblems are a weird touch! That is a WL Speedo, not a WLA. The fastener for the frame data plate is incorrect too. Does the title match the frame or motor?

I’m not a 45 specialist…but this was my old 1950 Panhead.

MarK: I’m sure you know that the engine has been restamped

Lynn: I did not know that. Looked suspect, but I have no point of reference for a 42 HD. The "A" looks so much different than the "L". Guessing the engine was from a WLC?

Mark: and that the frame vin and engine vin do not match.

Lynn: Did not know the engine number was supposed to match the frame #.

Mark: That is a WLC Speedo, not a WLA. The fastener for the frame data plate is incorrect too. Does the title match the frame or motor?

Lynn: I will call her and have her text me a pic of the title. Not liking what I am hearing so far.

Still, even if it is a morphodite put together bike, it would, for me, be just as fun getting it up and running. Would just be a lot easier to be under water in a hurry. I wasn't looking to score a home run, but don't see myself keeping it long term. I lose enough money on the parts I buy. I sold my last bike in 2009. Too many crazy drivers out there!!!!

There is another number way down low on the right side of the engine.

http://www.theliberator.be/liberator6.htm

http://www.theliberator.be/indexmenu.html

If it was a military bike, the restamp may be an inventory number, not enough digits to be a vin.

Interesting that the delivery date was 1944 with a build date in '42.

The lower stamp might be a better clue as it ends in 7 and the engine case clearly has a 7 visible at the end, but the pic is too blurry to read.
Cool bike just the same and I would believe the price is reasonable enough to not lose money.

Mark is right about the tank sticker, waaaaay out of date for the bike, but may be easy enough to remove.

From the WLA website:

WLAs did not receive a frame tag or frame number and were identified by the engine number, embossed on the left side of the crankcase in the following fashion '42WLAXXXXX'. This was the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Furthermore all Harley-Davidson engine crankcases were numbered during their production on the lower front side of both halves by the year of manufacture followed by the sequence in which the crankcases were mated together (ie 42-12345 = the 12345th engine assembled in 1942).
This being said, there's no proof that all 42WLA motors were actually made in succession. So when Motor 42WLA26890 has Crankcase Numbers 42-28352 ; this does not necessarily mean that Engine 42WLA26891 will have Crankcase Numbers 42-28353.......

45 ci Flathead Engines were also used in Canadian WLCs and Servicars and motors for other models were made during the same timeframe...... Although of course, you shouldn't find a 1944 Crankcase Number on a Type II WLA........

So to accurately date a 42WLA, you need to look at the 42WLAXXXXX engine number and start from there. Only the Types VI and VII had the later style data plate which lists the engine serial number.

After a quick read, that frame tag may have been a US Army issued tag. Please don't take my word for it...I just did a quick search. That website that I posted has lots of info.