Abandoned Harleys Get New Life in Holland

[panhead_jim]

Ever wonder what happened to all those Harley-Davidson motorcycles left in Europe after WWII? Turns out that quite a few of them escaped the scrap pile. It seems the Dutch knew a good thing when they saw it and reconditioned many machines that were left behind.



Abandoned Harleys Get New Life in Holland

[AFJ]

Ever wonder what happened to all those Harley-Davidson motorcycles left in Europe after WWII? Turns out that quite a few of them escaped the scrap pile. It seems the Dutch knew a good thing when they saw it and reconditioned many machines that were left behind.

As far as the Canadian Army vehicles left in Holland after May, 1945, these were officially given to the Dutch government, by the Canadian government to assist in the recovery of their nation. Most Dutch motor vehicles had been looted by the germans during the 5 years of occupation. Vehicles transferred included not only the H-D WLCs in operable, unserviceable and new (crated) condition which were surplus to future Canadian military requirements but also BSA M20s, Norton 16H and other motorcycles and quantities of Jeeps, military trucks, etc. etc.
Canadian Army motorcycles in Britain at the end of WWII which were not required for future use in Canada were disposed of via "surplus" sales to motorcycle retailers for refurbishment and sale to the British public.
The Canadian military used the WLC, chiefly for provost and escort duties until the mid-1950's. Dispatch and field service use in the Korean war was done with Norton 16H motorcycles. In 1956, the Canadian military settled on a single motorcycle design for all purposes. It was the Triumph TRW 490cc sv twin.
AFJ

[panhead_jim]

Great info AFJ! I'll incorporate that into the article.

Thanks!