The Liberator - Harley's WLA

[panhead_jim]

For Pearl Harbor Day, I put together a collection of photo's of WLA's in WWII. I also want to say thank you to all our veterans both past and present, especially on this day, our WWII veterans.

Harley-Davidson WLA

[frichie68]

Nice, very appropriate for this day.
Many years ago I recall hearing that it was possible to trace the history of a particular HD, specifically a WLA. Any truth to that? And if so, can it still be done?
Mine is a low number, would love to know where it's been.
Rich

[Jim]

Here is a picture of my Uncle Dave in 2nd picture (Not really a blood uncle) during WWII on his WLA. The other picture is his buddies. Sorry... I don't have the other guys names.

[AFJ]

For Pearl Harbor Day, I put together a collection of photo's of WLA's in WWII. I also want to say thank you to all our veterans both past and present, especially on this day, our WWII veterans.

Harley-Davidson WLA

Jim,
Your web site needs correction WLA motorcycles were not supplied to the Canadian Army. Under the CMP specification 58 around 18,000 H-D WLC motorcycles first in a 1942 pattern and then in a 1943 pattern were purchased by Canada. The WLC design was considerably different from the WLA. the WLC design was finalized with the H-D firm in October, 1940 by Canadian Army Captain Tony Miller who had been one of Canada's top motorcycle racers until he lost his right arm in a sideswipe crash in the 1938 Daytona 200 mile race.
AFJ

[c.o.]

I'm definitely in agreement with AFJ. If you see a WLC parked beside a WLA you realize just how different they are. Having said that.... I've seen quite a few "restored" WLC's with WLA parts on them!

[AFJ]

I'm definitely in agreement with AFJ. If you see a WLC parked beside a WLA you realize just how different they are. Having said that.... I've seen quite a few "restored" WLC's with WLA parts on them!

Thanks. I suspect that the use of some WLA stuff on WLCs in Canada is the result of the fact that a lot of the WLCs went over to Britain during the war and were left in Europe at the end. Substantial quantities of WLCs were sold as overhauled or new bikes into the British home market since a lot of British motorcycle production in the 1946-50 period was exported. Also the Canadian Army left a lot of vehicles in Holland after 1945 and this included quite a few WLCs (which became known and referred to by the Dutch as "Liberator" H-Ds). The Canadian Army used up the non-exported WLCs mostly in Military Police/convoy escort roles at home and for other motorcycling work brought back a fair number of Norton 16H military models which had some use in the Korean War. The Nortons, and presumably the remaining WLCs, were sold as surplus when the Canadian military re-equipped with the Triumph TRW motorcycle around 1957.
AFJ

[cdndewey]

I'm definitely in agreement with AFJ. If you see a WLC parked beside a WLA you realize just how different they are. Having said that.... I've seen quite a few "restored" WLC's with WLA parts on them!

Thanks. I suspect that the use of some WLA stuff on WLCs in Canada is the result of the fact that a lot of the WLCs went over to Britain during the war and were left in Europe at the end. Substantial quantities of WLCs were sold as overhauled or new bikes into the British home market since a lot of British motorcycle production in the 1946-50 period was exported. Also the Canadian Army left a lot of vehicles in Holland after 1945 and this included quite a few WLCs (which became known and referred to by the Dutch as "Liberator" H-Ds). The Canadian Army used up the non-exported WLCs mostly in Military Police/convoy escort roles at home and for other motorcycling work brought back a fair number of Norton 16H military models which had some use in the Korean War. The Nortons, and presumably the remaining WLCs, were sold as surplus when the Canadian military re-equipped with the Triumph TRW motorcycle around 1957.
AFJ

I suspect a lot of the WLC restorations with WLA parts are due to the fact that the people restoring them do not know the differences. I have a 42WLC and I was collecting parts to do a restoration on it and bought anything I saw military that I needed. It wasn't until some time later that I purchased Bruce Palmer's military book and began to realize the difference between WLA's and WLC's....and 42 and 43 WLC's. I ended up selling my incorrect stuff and have continued looking for correct items.

[c.o.]

I think you're on to something with that theory Dewey. At a show a few years back in Calgary a WLC riddled with WLA parts took most original!!! I know a fella that had painfully restored his WLC that was shocked by the decision!!!

[Ross]

I have put a ton of miles on my 1942 WLC and the differences are well documented in Palmer's book. However the service manual for 1942 WLC put out by HD for the Canadian Government was very clear on the differences. This obviously long before Bruce's book. The small round light on the front fender and the front fender tool box with a gear mounted inside are just a few. Not to mention that both wheels were interchangeable 18 inch which might have come in handy in the field.Taillights were different in both the 42 and 43 WLC and both were different from the WLA.Round oil cleaner vs square for 42 and several other small differences.left handle throttle was stock as well as a hand clutch as many of the Canadian riders were used to the 16H Norton and the BSA M20. All in all they are great motorcycles and were always underrated compared to big twins. I am aware that many disp atch WLC's were modified or Americanized somewhat after the invasion and during the Battle of the Bulge IE scabbords added to use a Thompson which previously had a Canadian DR using a Sten Gun.Now if I could only get my hands on one of the 1942 CANADIAN ARMY ELC KNUCKLEHEADS I WOULD BE A HAPPY MAN.

[cdndewey]

I have put a ton of miles on my 1942 WLC and the differences are well documented in Palmer's book. However the service manual for 1942 WLC put out by HD for the Canadian Government was very clear on the differences. This obviously long before Bruce's book. The small round light on the front fender and the front fender tool box with a gear mounted inside are just a few. Not to mention that both wheels were interchangeable 18 inch which might have come in handy in the field.Taillights were different in both the 42 and 43 WLC and both were different from the WLA.Round oil cleaner vs square for 42 and several other small differences.left handle throttle was stock as well as a hand clutch as many of the Canadian riders were used to the 16H Norton and the BSA M20. All in all they are great motorcycles and were always underrated compared to big twins. I am aware that many disp atch WLC's were modified or Americanized somewhat after the invasion and during the Battle of the Bulge IE scabbords added to use a Thompson which previously had a Canadian DR using a Sten Gun.Now if I could only get my hands on one of the 1942 CANADIAN ARMY ELC KNUCKLEHEADS I WOULD BE A HAPPY MAN.

Don't forget the "stop lamp isolating switch" and the chains on the oil and gas caps. I think the interchangeable wheels were more an inventory thing. Better to stock all the same kind, rather than having to stock two different sets of wheels.

42 ELC....yea....me too.

[AFJ]

According to the late Captain Jerry Barker, who was in the RCEME and involved in motorcycle training and repair in Canada and Britain in WWII, and was an associate of Captain Tony Miller who did the WLC/ELC specifications, the QD/interchangeable wheels on the ELCs was done as they were all (all 44 of them) fitted with sidecars. The specifications for the WLCs considered the possibility that they would be fitted with sidecars as well and therefore the QD/interchangeable wheels. The left hand throttle requirement was the original specification since the first military specification WWII Canadian army bikes were Indian Scouts. They then got hold of some Indian "Military Chiefs", originally intended for the French Army. After June 6, 1940, when France capitulated to the Germans, Britain guaranteed all "Allied" (French) contracts which had been placed with American companies which included Indian (motorcycles), Colt (Thompson guns), etc., etc.
The hand clutch added to the WLCs appears to have been Tony Miller's nod to the fact that at the time (1940) 6 "motorcycle regiments" had been formed in the Canadian Army and the core members, drawn from Canadian motorcycling clubs, were, by and large, riders of British motorcycles.
The 2nd Motorcycle Regiment was based in Toronto and was later transferred into tanks and re-named the "Governor General's Horse Guards". They had, I believe, many members of the British Empire Motor Club of Toronto in their ranks.

AFJ

[frichie68]

Did some or all WLCs/ELCs have reverse gear?
My WLA has some WLC parts (fork rockers, not sure what else) and reverse.
Rich

[AFJ]

Did some or all WLCs/ELCs have reverse gear?
My WLA has some WLC parts (fork rockers, not sure what else) and reverse.
Rich

WLCs had a 3 speed as standard. There were a few WLC prototypes with a sidecar fitted - don't know what they had. The ELCs had 3 speed and reverse.

AFJ

[JosephJoe]

Gentlemen,

Tons of WLA/WLC on this website:
http://www.theliberator.be

Joe

[pete reeves]

2 of the 44 ELCs

Merry Christmas.

Pete Reeves. 860