Canadian Harley WLC

[james007]

Does any one know if the Canadian armoured corp use Harley Davidson WLC's? also how many WLC's did the Canadian army purchase? and how many remaind in Canada? and to what units did they go to.


James

Photo of Harley WLA, WlC was made to Canadian spec's

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The Canadian forces used Harleys, presumably WLCs, in the UK and we have two photos in the Pearsons of Liverpool collection of three Harleys heading a vehicle convoy on delivery.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally posted by james007
Does any one know if the Canadian armoured corp use Harley Davidson WLC's? also how many WLC's did the Canadian army purchase? and how many remaind in Canada? and to what units did they go to.

Canada used the Harley WLC in Canada and in the UK. All Armoured units would have had a number of these. At one point (notes are not in front of me so I can't give you the date) the Canadian Army chose to dispose of the Harleys in favour of British bikes. This backfired when it was discovered that 5,000 WLCs were on order and that the contract could not be transferred to anyone else. Canadian Army agreed to go back to the WLC but these were pretty well limited to use in the UK or to the Cdn Provost Corps in Europe.
Canada acquired in excess of 10,0000 Harley Davidson motorcycles. I recommend that you consider a copy of my book Canadian Military Motorcycles when it is printed, some time late this year.

[George McKenzie]

Bruce Palmer 's book , How to restore your Military Harley Davidson . Has a good section on the WLC's and thier numbers The picture of the harley is a 43 WLC . I have a late 42 WLC with the small round oil filter I was told that when Hitler bombed the British factories Canada switch From British byces to Harley's .One veteran told me they liked the British byces best as they didn't plug up with mud at the back wheel as bad as the Harleys george

[james007]

Hi George,

any pictures of your WLC to share with us?

James

[james007]

Hi Clive,

I cant wait for your book to come out this winter, I am on your mailing list. By the way the last time i was talking to you you were handing out cold beer during the shooting of the Great War doc.

James

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally posted by james007
the last time i was talking to you you were handing out cold beer during the shooting of the Great War doc.

Me? Handing out beer? Not likely as I would be the first in line to get one of them!!
Seriously, you must have me confused as I wasn't at the filming of the documentary. In any event, as soon as the bok is ready I will let you know.
I love the photo you posted, did you take it and is that your bike?

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by servicepub
Me? Handing out beer?

Now, that I would pay to see!

[james007]

Sorry Clive,

I was thinking about Ed Storey he was in the Great War doc.
No the WLA photo was found on the internet . I am currently putting together informashion in forms of Manuals and how to books for the day that i find a WLC to restore. I also am waiting to be excepted in to the armed forces, I am going armoured hopefully the Royal canadian Dragoons. So what ever unit i end up with i plan to do the WLC up in that unit marking's

James

[George McKenzie]

The only picture that I have is when it came out of the chicken coop after 45 years of storage It is curently being painted .If you want to spend your life savings get a canadian Harlley that needs alot fo parts like a $1600 passenger seat or a spark plug for $150 Mine was not civilianized ,lucky for me I have three friends that have restored WLC's .One was a Major in the Military police and road the WLC .Looking forword to getting the book about the the Canadian Byces . George

[james007]

Hi George,

I wouldnt mind seeing those Pictures. How many years ago did you get the Bike? What type is it a 42 W.L.C or a 43 W.L.C


James

[George McKenzie]

I bought this at an estate sale .Apparently the only way it would have been sold . It was a wild sale $1000 bids It,s a late 42 .# 13812 .The eirly ones had the long round air filter Mine has the short one ,then they put on the square filter in 43 The 42 had the tool box on the front fender and different blackout lights then the43 and no gun rack ,saddle bags ,windsheild or rearview mirror These things could have been added on at a later date by the army .I've seen some for sale on the net but they are not very original I am restoring 18 military vehicles ,all at once and it's hard to get one finnished but things are getting close to the paint gun . George.

[james007]

None of the W.L.C's had Gun Racks or Ammo boxes all of the W.L.C's came with Wind Screens and Cargo bags, all thought most of the period photos i have seen the Bags are missing from the bikes. some even were with out the wind screens.

Check out this site www.theliberator.be/

James

[servicepub (RIP)]

There are a fair number of errors of fact on the WLC page at liberator.be I would be warry of the comments made on DND and WD numbering as well as on the windscreen and other peripheral equipment.

[james007]

I have seen some photos of Harley Davidson W.L.C's In Holland with the number 552 painted on the front fender.
Does any one know what unit that was ? and also is there a relyable sorce out there that has all the unit numbers and signs that one could refer too.

James

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by james007
I have seen some photos of Harley Davidson W.L.C's In Holland with the number 552 painted on the front fender.
Does any one know what unit that was ? and also is there a relyable sorce out there that has all the unit numbers and signs that one could refer too.

James

Hi James;

The Arm of Service (AoS) Serial '552' - was that which was used by No. 64 Army Transport Company, R.C.A.S.C., who were Army Troops - First Canadian Army.

Cheers

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

From the Canadian CMHQ Report1st April to 30th April 1945:

MOTORCYCLES SOLO HEAVY HD: 10,969 including 42 damaged by sea water; parts salvaged; Also 2,850 routed direct from Ports to Ordnance Depots)

MOTORCYCLES COMBO HEAVY HD: 43 includes one destoyed by fire

[james007]

Does any one know if these wind screen markings are for a paticular unit?

[servicepub (RIP)]

First Canadian Army. Note that both MCs have the same AoS on the front fender (refer to Mark Tonner's earlier post). The MC on the left is clearly displaying the standard formation sign for the First Cdn Army. The MC on the right appears to have four Maple Leaves, of different shades, and may just be displaying his patriotism.

Do you know who owns the original print (Archives, etc...) as I may wish to include this in the book?
Thnx

[james007]

Hi Clive,

I have more, They came from the Nijmegan archives. Maybe i get a discount for the help lol

James

[james007]

Here is another

[james007]

one more

[james007]

do you have this one from our national archives?

James

[Johan WILLAERT]

Originally posted by servicepub
There are a fair number of errors of fact on the WLC page at liberator.be I would be warry of the comments made on DND and WD numbering as well as on the windscreen and other peripheral equipment.

Clive,

I've just sent you a PM . Please let me know the errors on the pages so I can put them straight.

Thanks,

Johan

[servicepub (RIP)]

Johan,

e-mail sent.

Cheers,

Clive

[james007]

Does any one know if all Harley davidson's with side cars E.L.C or were there some W.L.C's and was there more then one type of side car made for them?


James

Photo is of harley Davidson W.L.A ?

[james007]

Does any one know if the unit markings would have been added to both side of the tanks on the harley davidson wlc or only on one side?

[Johan WILLAERT]

James,

I think the other side would have had the larger organisation sign (Army-Corps or Division...)

You either see these sets of insignia on left and right side of the vehicles or one above the other on the front of the vehicles in WW2...

Hope this helps...

Johan

[james007]

Johan
how can you tell the differnce between a WLC with the radio surpression and one with out. ?

[Johan WILLAERT]

The WLC on your photo has the (blue drab??)S painted on the dash, which would indicate radio suppression....

The difference is in the wiring and condensers....

BTW Note the US Marker BO light mounted on the front crash bar....

Johan