Harley WLC, the hunt is over!

Rillette · #1 15-04-09, 03:43

Hi to all forum members, my name is François-Xavier Dutoy and I live in Montréal. I have been regularly visiting the forum for at least a year, but somehow I was sort of waiting to actually find the vehicle I was looking for to start posting. Well I now have. Last week I bought a Harley-Davidson 42WLC restoration project. I had been looking for about a year to find a WLC and I was starting to think that I’d finally have to turn to Holland, Belgium or the UK to find one when this bike came along last fall. It took all this time to work something out with the seller but it’s now mine. It’s far from complete, but at least it still carries some of it’s original military trim. So the hunt is over, but the search is just starting. If anyone has spare parts, manuals, original period photos I would be very interested. I’m not planning to have it restored in record time, but I will try to post some pictures as progress goes. Here are two pictures of the bike as found.

BCBlitz · #2 15-04-09, 15:32

Neat Bike

I know of another out west if your interested, I was shocked to see it also as not many around, unfortunattly the guy knows its value it seems.

PM me if you need a link.

servicepub (RIP) · #3 15-04-09, 15:33

Hi F-X, welcome to MLU. We need more 'bikers' on this forum. I heard a few years ago that Marcus at Willys Acres had located a number of WLA engines. Not a perfect match but ..
Clive (aka servicepub)

Rillette · #4 15-04-09, 17:51

Hi Terry, will PM you, thank you.

Clive, thanks for your message. The bike actually came with it's original 42 WLC motor and gearbox but they're just not in the pictures. I also have another 42 WLC motor which will eventually and hopefully serve as the basis for another restoration.

FX

mike mckinley · #5 15-04-09, 20:52

hi f-x..welcome to the forum

i now a fellow out in newfoundland who has one. he bought it in moncton, n.b. a few years back. when i assessed the whole thing i figured it was 80% complete. it looks like the bike you bought has the parts the newfie bike was missing.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #6 15-04-09, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike mckinley

hi f-x..welcome to the forum

i now a fellow out in newfoundland who has one. he bought it in moncton, n.b. a few years back. when i assessed the whole thing i figured it was 80% complete. it looks like the bike you bought has the parts the newfie bike was missing.

Mike
Haven't heard from you for a while..
Hope you ..the missus and all your little nose pickers are coming up this summer for BBB3...
Let me know ..The offer is still on..
Brother Al

guyvapeur · #7 16-04-09, 02:54

I know nothing about Harleys............found this on Ebay tonight....

1941 Harley

Item #120405604029

Rillette · #8 16-04-09, 04:45

Hi Mike,

When these bikes were sold as surplus, most were put back on the road and brought up to civilian taste. First things to go were the military taillights, front marker light, military fenders and tool box etc..., all replaced with civilian parts. This makes some of the original military equipment rather hard to find.

Hi Guy,

I had spotted that bike on evilbay. It actually is a really interesting and rare bike for anyone interested in pre WW2 US vehicles. When this bike was ordered by the US military and built by H-D, very, very few people had ever heard of a place called Pearl Harbor. It is quite different from the more common later war 42 WLA's. I don't know what the reserve is on it, but I suspect that it will bring good money and it really deserves a proper restoration as what is there looks very original and rather complete.

FX

cmperry4 · #9 18-04-09, 03:00

As an erstwhile military bike buff (has a '56 TRW), I must envy you witha WLC, though a Norton 16H would be more to my taste these days, if I weren't enmeshed in the coils of the HUP.

We have had a couple or three WLCs hereabouts, and I hope knowledgable parties will chime in and steer you right - there are a number or significant differences between the WLA and WLC, for example.

For some reference reading, try to find a copy of The Winged Wheel Patch for pics and history of the WLC in Canadian service.

I once met an former Service Corps officer who told me about crossing the English Channel on D-Day in a landing craft with his HUP office van and his personal WLC. He told me he had to keep an eagle eye on the WLC because the Provost were always wanting to get if for themselves.

Barry Churcher · #10 19-04-09, 00:25

I had a chance to sit around with Brian Gough and Andre Gibeault last night having a few silly pops. Andre lives near Huntington and has parts for sale as well as owning a couple of bikes. Andre says you could contact him.
Cheers,
Barry

George McKenzie · #11 24-04-09, 06:31

Ive been three years getting my 42 WLC complete The prices have more than doubled since I started .I was able to get NOS parts . You need a Spare parts list and Bruce Palmers two books on how to restore this byce .Unless you get lucky you will spend about $5000 to finnish it .There has been so many guys that got a parts WLA and are all looking for parts . The 42 WLC is the hardest to get parts for .I am looking for the spare seat for mine and have a few parts to trade The motor has your serial number and some have it stamped on the frame under the seat The MVPA club has a good book of pictures MILITARY HARLEY_DAVIDSON by Pat Ware ISBN 0 7110 3191 6 Allan Publishing Good luck One more thing the serial number will determine how you will restore it ,different oil filter kick starter peddal ect George

Rillette · #12 30-04-09, 05:12

Hi Barry,

Thank you very much for the heads-up. I spoke with André and we've arranged to meet on Friday. I've also heard and read about his collection so I'm really looking forward to it!

Cheers!

I had a chance to sit around with Brian Gough and Andre Gibeault last night having a few silly pops. Andre lives near Huntington and has parts for sale as well as owning a couple of bikes. Andre says you could contact him.
Cheers,
Barry