Surplus 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA 45 WWII Flathead Motor - $4,500 (Salinas)

Surplus 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA 45 WWII Flathead Motor 1

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make / manufacturer: Harley-Davidson

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This is a very neat military surplus Harley WLA motor from World War II. This is a full and complete motor that was intended to be a quick and direct swap should there be any issues. It does not have a serial number on the pad stamping, which was the case with replacement motors. Years ago I did have plans to build a little 45 bobber out of it, but it's really not a good choice for that. I'm sure it would love to go into a WLA restoration/build, though! Otherwise, I've just been keeping it on display. The display stand will go with it as a package. I have nice black-anodized hardware to secure the engine to the stand and the stand to the base stand that I was going to use when I put it up in my house.

The timer, generator, oil pump, intake manifold, and Linkert M88 carburetor are all there, and all olive drab green. That stuff alone is worth over $1k, not that it should be separated... I can see that there are pistons, but I have not inspected anything internally or even attempted to turn it over. It doesn't seem like the engine has been used at all, but the tops of the pistons do seem to have a black hue that would suggest it has been run, but I don't know for sure. I got it in 2016 out of a pretty old (and well known) collection, so if it has been used, it was a long, long time ago, potentially in France or Germany where most WLAs (and WLCs) saw action.

There is a bit more of a special story behind this specific motor and where I got it that its new owner might enjoy. Nothing to add crazy value, just something a vintage motorcycle enthusiast might be happy to know.

Harley, Harley-Davidson, flathead, WLA, WLC, RL, WL, G, Servi-car, JD, VL, UL, DL, antique, NOS

post id: 7889769336

posted: 2025-10-19 14:09

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Surplus 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA 45 WWII Flathead Motor - motorcycle...

This is a very neat military surplus Harley WLA motor from World War II. This is a full and complete motor that was intended to be a quick and direct swap should there be any issues. It does not...