Where Have All The XAs Gone?

[Rub]

The XA was named for experimental/Army, the XLA was an XL series (Sportster) with the A added for Army. Not the same name.

[Rockin Ronny O]

Actually, the XLA is not the same name because of the L in the name. The XA was the first to use the X designation. A is for Army.

The XLA was a 1957 model and designates the XL or Sportster. And again, A is for Army. It's my understanding Harley didn't make too many XLA models. I know that one or two was given/sold to the President of Thailand for his motorcade escort by President Kennedy. Since then, it was bought back by Harley-Davidson and is part of their collection.

Rockin' Ronny O!

[mmoore]

xla or xla?

I guess im still trying to understand why the first h. opposed (the 37 inch ) was called the xla also (actually first) I'm still trying to confirm its existence but if I can a lot of history will be rewrittened as that would not be a exact copy of the german bike and would show that harley did try to improve on it. im not sure what your trying to tell me rub

[LouieMCman]

If my memory serves me, the only 418 XLA's were made in 1957 only.

[mmoore]

xla

still no luck tried contacting the army they are looking for anything they got hope i can find something no luck finding out who wrote that artical back in the late 70s either wish i could find out where he got his info i guess nobody else recalls anything about the xla out here

[HarleyCreation]

Originally posted by darrylri
A few years back there was a long interview with Walter Davidson Jr. in the AMCA magazine, might have been split over a couple issues. The actual interview was conducted in 1990. The interviewer was interested in Harleys, of course, but also admitted to riding a BMW, and so asked Davidson several questions about the XA project. Davidson said that they had read between the lines of the Army request and obtained a BMW R71 and went over it.

I believe the interview you're thinking of was actually with William H. Davidson, company Prez from 1943 to 1972 or so (Willie G.'s dad).

The year the interview appeared in the club mag I believe was 2003 as it was around the time of Harley's 100th celebration.

Also:

Way back when there was a story about John Nowak in Rider mag. I'm guessing the year was around 1992 or so. His involvement with the XA was discussed there, including a story about an XA pulling a Jeep out of the mud with old Bill Harley watching. Also mentioned the all-wheel-drive version (yep, front wheel drive too!)

I never heard of a 37ci XA, but did hear of a larger OHV experimental version....

At one time I really wanted an XA -- until I sat on one. Very cramped feeling bike. I could have bought a basket case XA many years ago for $400 but passed it up and long regretted it. Then maybe 15 years ago I found a MINT one with civilian fenders in an old guys shed. Still there far as I know. Somewhere I might have a photo of it.

[HarleyCreation]

duplicate post

[mmoore]

the article i read (and cut out and saved ) was in a issue of easyrider magazine somewhere between jan 1978 and dec 1981. I also read that interview quite a while ago and am sure that hd did strip one down to see how it worked. I am presently researching this with help from the army and my contacts at harley. this is a time consuming, going thru all the army stuff but i think it will probaly be something i will have to get from harley. I sent a copy of that article to ronnie but as i told him it must be confirmed. I've read a lot abour harley stuff over the last 40 or so years and quite often things are said and quoted as truth. like the b model dying in 1930 or 32 but a copy of a 1934 sales invoice still lists it as available (why?) the invoice was specific for 1934. I have a photocopy of it I obtained it from none other than harley davidson so I feel it it a good piece of info. so until I can prove this it must be considered as a possibility only. the 37ci was a xla as referenced in the article. many years ago i saw a all wheel drive in a private collection wish i took a pic and remember where it it

[darrylri]

Originally posted by HarleyCreation
I believe the interview you're thinking of was actually with William H. Davidson, company Prez from 1943 to 1972 or so (Willie G.'s dad).

The year the interview appeared in the club mag I believe was 2003 as it was around the time of Harley's 100th celebration.

I'm sure your're right about this.

I never heard of a 37ci XA, but did hear of a larger OHV experimental version....

You'll have to pardon my lack of knowledge on Harley history, but didn't they introduce a fore-aft boxer twin in 1920 or 21 or so?

At one time I really wanted an XA -- until I sat on one. Very cramped feeling bike. I could have bought a basket case XA many years ago for $400 but passed it up and long regretted it. Then maybe 15 years ago I found a MINT one with civilian fenders in an old guys shed. Still there far as I know. Somewhere I might have a photo of it.

If he hasn't already, I'm sure that Rockin' Ronnie will be sending you an email any moment! ;-)

[HarleyCreation]

Originally posted by mmoore
the article i read (and cut out and saved ) was in a issue of easyrider magazine somewhere between jan 1978 and dec 1981. I also read that interview quite a while ago and am sure that hd did strip one down to see how it worked. I am presently researching this with help from the army and my contacts at harley. this is a time consuming, going thru all the army stuff but i think it will probaly be something i will have to get from harley. I sent a copy of that article to ronnie but as i told him it must be confirmed. I've read a lot abour harley stuff over the last 40 or so years and quite often things are said and quoted as truth. like the b model dying in 1930 or 32 but a copy of a 1934 sales invoice still lists it as available (why?) the invoice was specific for 1934. I have a photocopy of it I obtained it from none other than harley davidson so I feel it it a good piece of info. so until I can prove this it must be considered as a possibility only. the 37ci was a xla as referenced in the article. many years ago i saw a all wheel drive in a private collection wish i took a pic and remember where it it

Good luck with your research. As you stated about the "B" model, the only way to really verify Harley stuff is from original documents and not to rely on what rushed, perhaps misinformed writers claim.

An easy place to look would be Hatfield's "Inside H-D book." Probably you have looked there already, but there he relies mainly on Factory board of directors' meeting notes so it is a good and accurate book. There is quite a bit about the XA if I remember correctly, and if there was a 37-ci "XA" he would likely mention it. So if he doesn't, you gotta wonder...

Finding those unusual tidbits keeps things interesting, however, and are a part of the story.

[HarleyCreation]

Originally posted by darrylri


You'll have to pardon my lack of knowledge on Harley history, but didn't they introduce a fore-aft boxer twin in 1920 or 21 or so?

If he hasn't already, I'm sure that Rockin' Ronnie will be sending you an email any moment! ;-)

Darryl,

You might have nailed it. The Sport Model (W) was an in-line opposed twin, and I think it was a 37-ci motor. It's not impossible that some writer years ago got his wires crossed and confused this much earlier motor with the WWII cross-wise opposed twin XA. Stranger things have happened. Not to say there wasn't a 37-ci XA experiment. Harley did a lot of things that never saw the light of day and we continue to learn new things.

BTW: thanks for the info on posting pix so they open on the page over on the "1907" thread. I appreciate it. I'll try it. I knew there had to be a way but I couldn't figure it out!

Nice Earles model over there. Looks like my late-lamented 1966 R50/2, altho I think yours is an older model.

I really liked that R50/2. It was doggy on the highway (passing: "Waaaahhhhhh!") but rode beautifully and also made a very good trail-bike. I could ride it thru the woods anywhere! Finally, however, I blew up the motor on the freeway.

Guy before me had let a piston seize up and then hammered the piston out and also dented the top of the con-rod. I fixed it up and got it running about 1979-80 and used a couple years until it broke. I think the con-rod failed on top, and as you know those were pressed crankshafts and not easily fixable in a shed.

I now have a R75/6 and now a '85 K100. The R75/6 has given me long reliable service since 1986 and I don't know about the K100 yet.

[mmoore]

thanks guys I'm at the point I have to prove it or find out its a myth just to keep from going crazy (or maybe it's too late) I got a hd fork oil can about 25 years ago in great condition still has a little fork oil in it. the wife caught me smelling it a while back, so she probaly thinks i'm already gone! you might have something here harley might have tried to fit a shaft to that earler boxer, one clue I have is that a hot oil problem led to its end. the early boxer had a heat problem with a aft cylinder which would cause hot oil also without a oil cooler. anyway thanks again for the help

[HarleyCreation]

Originally posted by mmoore
thanks guys I'm at the point I have to prove it or find out its a myth just to keep from going crazy (or maybe it's too late) I got a hd fork oil can about 25 years ago in great condition still has a little fork oil in it. the wife caught me smelling it a while back, so she probaly thinks i'm already gone! you might have something here harley might have tried to fit a shaft to that earler boxer, one clue I have is that a hot oil problem led to its end. the early boxer had a heat problem with a aft cylinder which would cause hot oil also without a oil cooler. anyway thanks again for the help

You've got me interested now too!

I'll keep my eyes open when rummaging thru my files and stuff.

One thing I've learned about Harley-D History from my own past experience (mistakes) is to both be open to and yet doubt EVERYTHING at the same time!

Yes, I'll accept that possibly there was an experimental 37ci XA, and yet at the very same time be sceptical and be ready to find out it was somebody's goof. I try to have both those opposing viewpoints operating at the same time.

The saga of what our good friend Lacy Crolius did to Harley's origin years is a very good lesson in how these things work even on an "official" level.

PS: Be careful sniffing that Harley Oil. It's highly addictive stuff!

[Rockin Ronny O]

Okay, forget the experimental 37ci XA.

WHERE'S THE MINT ONE IN THE GUYS BAR???!!!

I found the banter very interesting and enlightening about this subject. Special thanks to Admin Guy for letting us go through it. We will find proof!!

Rockin' Ronny O!

[mmoore]

I think it too late as i been sniffing it too long trouble is it says it for hydraglide or model k forks I dont think i can get any more