classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => American Bikes => Topic started by: pauldenman on March 10, 2006, 02:46:08 PM

Title: wla engine numbers, help needed
Post by: pauldenman on March 10, 2006, 02:46:08 PM

Hi there. I about to buy a 42 wla. what i need to know is if the engine and frame numbers should match. the engine number is 42wla34189 and frame is wrepaec421215. does this mean the frame is not a 42? its the e bit that confuses me. i've given up looking for info on the net. maybe someone can help? thanks paul

Title: Re: wla engine numbers, help needed
Post by: Martin_UK on March 12, 2006, 02:46:20 AM

Paul,

Try a specialised Harley Davidson forum like  http://www.flatheadpower.com/BB/

Unfortunatley my own HD interest stops at 1929 bikes, so I'm not able to answer your question personally, but I'm sure more than one poster on flatheadpower.com will be able to help you out.

Best Regards,

Martin

Title: Re: wla engine numbers, help needed
Post by: KANE on April 27, 2006, 03:28:54 AM

Hi,

harleys this early never had frame numbers, only engine numbers - the numbers on the frame were probably stamped by the countrys relevant import or registration authorities..

Title: Re: wla engine numbers, help needed
Post by: dragonrider1 on February 22, 2007, 05:55:01 AM

Hi there, I guess I am a little late, perhaps you did not buy the bike in the end  but I am new here, wrighting from Spain amnd i have a 1942 WLA and I can inform you that me chassis Nr Is WLA 42............., I have not llok at the engine but now I have wred this , I shall look.

Thanks

Title: Re: wla engine numbers, help needed
Post by: KeithA on March 15, 2008, 08:36:53 PM

I have a 1942 WLA that I have restored. Every nut, bolt, clamp, spring, bracket, thread ect is genuine, but people tell me that my bike is not original, it is customized. I
re-laced the wheels with 16 inch rims with balloon tyres and full valence guards. Painted it Black and cream with gold pin stripping. I licensed it in Australia about 6 years ago. They asked me for a chassis/frame number, and OK, if it didn't have one, then provide proof. In the Operation and maintenance manual TM 10-1175, page number 6 has information on Engine (serial) number. A photocopy of this page was presented to the Australian licensing department as documentary proof of this fact.
These military bikes do not have a frame number that I am aware of. They may have a number stamped here and there, but they do not have a specific
FRAME NUMBER.  Regards Keith

Title: Re: wla engine numbers, help needed
Post by: KeithA on March 15, 2008, 08:39:34 PM

That 45 ci inch in the picture is very very similar to my bike. Keith