The 1942 Harley Davidson WLA motorcycle and Harley Davidson XA motorcycle were two models Harley designed for the United States military during World War II. Though rival Indian also supplied motorcycles to the U.S. military during World War II, the majority of those used in battle were Harley-Davidson WLAs.
What does Harley WLA stand for?
Harley-Davidson built WLAs, and variants of it for not only the US Army, Navy, Army Air Corps and Marine Corps (WLA), they also built them for Canada (WLC), South Africa, and even the Soviet Union who bought 30,000 of them under the Lend-Lease program.
What motorcycle Did the army use in ww2?
Harley-Davidson was the main supplier of motorcycles to the United States military during World War II. More than 88,000 WLA models were produced for the U.S. Armed Forces and its Allies, such as Great Britain, Canada, and Russia.
What motor is in a 1942 Harley-Davidson?
| Manufacturer Harley-Davidson | Production 1942 | Assembly Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA | Class Military motorcycle | Engine 45 cu in (740 cc) SV flat-twin |
|---|
Were Harleys used in the war?
Motorcyclists served an important role in the First and Second World War. ... Harley Davidson Company produced 20,000 model WLC motorcycles for the Canadian Army . This 750cc model was initially developed for the United States Army, but the Canadian version came with a passenger seat.
Does Kawasaki own Harley Davidson?
Kawasaki Motor Company, LTD. is the parent company of Harley -Davidson Motor Company (as of now...
What motorcycles did Germans use in ww2?
The Zündapp KS 750 is a World War II-era motorcycle and sidecar combination developed for the German Wehrmacht (armed forces) before and during the Second World War, by the German company Zündapp G.m.b.H..
How many Harley WLA were made?
Other bikes assigned to the United States Navy and Marines were only slightly different in form. The new WLA motorcycle model design by Harley was in production from 1942 to 1945 and 70,000 units were produced while these were supplemented by spare parts to essentially cover another full 30,000 bikes produced.
How much is a 1942 Harley Davidson worth?
| Excellent $32,765 | Very Good $17,730 | Good $11,975 | Fair $8,210 | Poor $5,640 |
What is a WLA motorcycle?
The Harley-Davidson WLA is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was produced to US Army specifications in the years during and around World War II. It was based on an existing civilian model, the WL, and is of the 45 solo type, so called due to its 45-cubic-inch (740 cm 3 ) engine displacement and single-rider design.
What motorcycle does the US military use?
American special forces including Navy SEALs and Air Force combat controllers have been using motorcycles for their operations for years. Logos says the widely used current U.S. military motorcycle – imaginatively dubbed the M1030M1 – is based on a platform that's nearly 30 years old.
What were motorcycles used for in ww2?
Though less powerful and protective than the war's other vehicles, motorbikes were widely fielded in the Second World War. They were useful for messengers and reconnaissance troops , especially in fast-moving formations. Many of the nations involved in the war produced their own versions.
What is a flathead Harley?
Flathead motorcycles are a type of bike that was a standard for pre-war motorcycles , in particular US V-twins such as Harley-Davidson and Indian, some British singles, BMW flat twins and Russian copies thereof.
Does the British army still use motorcycles?
The British Army's Harley Davidson built Armstrong MT350 Motorcycles are now long out of service , having been supplied over 7 years and in a quantity of approximately 1,700.
What motorcycles did the British use in ww2?
At the outbreak of World War II BSA were Britain's largest motorcycle manufacturer with a long history of armaments supply to the armed forces. Designed by Val Page the BSA M20 started development in 1937 as a heavy-framed sidecar model with a simple 500 cc single cylinder side valve engine.
Why did the military use motorcycles?
Motorcycles have been used for administration / communication tasks such as the transfer of orders across the battlefield, for scouting / screening operations for larger vehicle formations, as a reconnaissance platform and as transport for special operations units.
