considering a 42 wla - anyone know these bikes?

[SLO-BOB]

Like I need another bike. But, this is for sale locally and at a low price. I've always liked the old hardtails. Not being sold as an original survivor - just a cool old bike in nice ridable shape.

Anyone familiar with these?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

you need to buy this and then photograph it so I can make a t-shirt for Fall 09.

super cool!

[varmint]

how cheap? there are a lot of them out there.

pretty bike though.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by varmint

how cheap? There are a lot of them out there.

Pretty bike though.

$6500.00

[varmint]

$6500, go for it.

i spend a lot of time trying t talk people out of buying harley products. they're crap. but even i wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen on that.




and i remember at a gun show seeing a fork mounted holster for a thompson sub machine gun that was designed to fit the WLA.

[Gogar]

You won't go fast, but you'll look pretty damn cool.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by Gogar

You won't go fast, but you'll look pretty damn cool.

Seller told me it will cruise 65-70. The stats indicate a top speed of 65, but I think this one's been massaged a bit. He told me the engine was recently rebuilt, balanced, and blueprinted. The seller is a HD exec and the guy that restores Willy G's bikes did this one. Guess there's some advantages to living in Milwaukee. Apparently he (the seller) rode it to Daytona last year. I can't imagine that. My ass hurts riding my BMW R1100R on long hauls.

[1967 R50/2]

65-70 seems un-realistic....but it is true you can "massage" quite a bit into these engines. Why is it unrealistic?

1. It is a sidevalve which had known issues with heat. While you may be able to cruise at that speed, you WILL have reliability issues.
2. It is a hardtail with no hydraulic dampening upfront, so you will soon be uncomfortable unless you are on glass smooth pavement.

...And finally, the biggest factor...

3. It has period drum brakes. Trying to haul in that bike at 70 MPH with those brakes will take a lot of planning ahead.

My bikes have drums, which are FULL drums from 20 years later and on a lighter bike, still encourage a very cautious riding style.

I suggest you go to The Vintagent. This article is about someone who took their WLA from Alaska to Sout America. Y0u will get an idea of what speeds are really possible: 50-55mph

Just another point. That exhaust looks EXTREMELY crudely fabricated....and what is up with the rusted cylinders?? Question the owner thoroughly on these points. These old horses should be treated with respect...not hamfisted antics.

[Jeff Higgins]

The rusted cylinders around the exhaust ports are pretty much unavoidable on these bikes. They get so darn hot there that nothing you put on them will last for long. We used to hose 'em down with LPS3 every few weeks. The stuff kind of soaks into the pores of the cast iron a bit and will keep them from rusting if you stay on top of it. Granted, it smokes a bit and smells bad the first time it warms up after this treatment. We just looked at it as adding variety to the "normal" smoke and oily smells.

The exhaust looks pretty normal to me, at least back to the muffler, which is not original. Then again, it's a "rider" so who cares? The rest of it is pretty much what you get on these things. Things were different back then - no effort was put into making things like exhaust pipes purdy.

It is pretty commonly accepted that old 45's shouldn't be pushed much past about 50 mph. They just aren't happy working that hard. Keep the speeds and revs down and the darn thing will outlive you, and be a pretty darn reliable bike, believe it or not. It just is what it is - no hot rod or canyon carver by any stretch. It really comes into its own just ambling down a country road at 35-40 mph, in no big hurry to get anywhere. Lots of fun when you ride 'em like that.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by 1967 R50/2

65-70 seems un-realistic.....

One does have to wonder. I know nothing about the bikes at all and I have yet to see this one in person. We have snow on the ground with more on the way so a ride is not going to happen, so I appreciate all the info I can get.

I just happened on this one and was intrigued. I'll look at it, but it would be a city cruiser only. In fact, I scan Craigs for BMWs usually. I have hopes of getting a R60/2 someday.

[Rot 911]

Jeff gave you some pretty good info on the old flathead 45's. And I agree, the exhaust looks pretty stock. I also agree that 55mph is pushing it.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

The rusted cylinders around the exhaust ports are pretty much unavoidable on these bikes. ....We used to hose 'em down with LPS3 every few weeks. ... We just looked at it as adding variety to the "normal" smoke and oily smells.
.

What do you think of the price Jeff?

One thing, besides the raw coolness of the bike itself, that I like is parts availability. Just poking around the 'net shows that one could build one of these from scratch. Very unlike my Hondas. Airfilters, mufflers, even headlights are unobtainium. I just dropped $700 on stainless repro mufflers from Australia for my 305 Dream, which was a great deal. I spent $175.00on a flippin headlight for my wife's Benley!

Thanks to all for the excellent insights.

[Jeff Higgins]

Oh, it is certainly a very fair price for one of these in good riding shape. The show queens, or the really orginal ones, will double or triple that. If I were in the market for another bike like that, I would jump on this one, assuming it's as presented. Just know what you are getting into, have some realistic expectations, and you will have a lot of fun.

Like you have already noticed, parts are everywhere. H-D built 45 flatheads right up into the early '70's for their ServiCar three wheeler. These motors have been used in bikes and industrial applications as well. They are very easy to work on, parts are everywhere and dirt cheap, and you really won't wind up buying many to begin with. They are servicable and rebuildable to a degree now absent in modern motors.

The rest of the bike is as well. Wear items are really basic, like industrial bearings and the like. Not H-D specific, in other words. Guys that are really into these things know which Timken bearing numbers are used where, and that sort of thing. Off the shelf bushing, bolts, and stuff like that make it so you are not as reliant on H-D to keep this stuff around. This was long before they use a lot of specifically designed hardware like they seem to do today. I hate going to the dealer for a proprietary fastener that could have been a standard one with little alteration to the adjoining parts... They didn't do that to you back then. They are pretty cool that way - we used to go to True Value or something to buy "Harley parts"...

[911boost]

I agree with Jeff. But it for it is and enjoy it. I'd love an older HD like that.