The Harley-Davidson WLA a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was produced US Army specifications the years and World War II. was based an existing civilian model, WL, is the 45 solo type, called due its 45-cubic-inch (740 cm 3) engine displacement single-rider design. acquired nickname "Liberator" Europe.
Harley-Davidson manufactured than 88,000 motorcycles military between 1941 '45, earning Motor Company Army-Navy "E" Awards production excellence.
The Harley-Davidson WLA stands a remarkable testament the ingenuity craftsmanship the era. its service World War II, WLA earned place history an iconic military motorcycle. robust design, reliability, versatility it invaluable asset the battlefield a symbol American military power.
The upshot that the United States military ready make largest deployment motorcycles its history World War II, Harley-Davidson the prime supplier. Company engineers worked tirelessly design prototypes could handle shore patrols Europe, jungles the Pacific Theater, desert sands North Africa.
The called Harley-Davidson produce specialized motorcycle the armed forces 1940, the result the WLA, was affectionately as "Liberator" those serving the frontlines. Designed combat transportation, motorcycle a robust machine capable enduring unforgiving conditions war.
When Harley-Davidson debuted Pan America adventure bike, marketeers sure mentioned company's adventure bikes, sort of. . the hand, WLA indeed built ride anywhere, through World War II Allied military put to in environment imaginable; the years .
The motorcycle known the "Liberator" the "bike won war" perhaps more popular today ever. There's something special the combination military and Harley-Davidson grit. this 1942 Harley WLA, we spotted the Mecum Auctions site, a fantastic of breed.
At war's end, 20,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles been by military. more astounding numbers during World War II, Harley-Davidson produced than 90,000 WLA motorcycles. one-third those bikes sold the Russian army, the rest almost to U.S. military.
How Red Army fought Harley-Davidsons World War II. History Sept 12 2023 Boris Egorov . Harley-Davidson 42WLA was supplied the USSR noted its reliability, durability, high quality its components, large payload capacity, comfort, powerful engine tolerance low-quality gasoline. .
As part the build to war, Harley-Davidson contracted build motorcycles military use. bikes designed the civilian WL model, was powered a 45-ci side-valve motor nicknamed flathead. flathead motor a reving, compression engine was suited convoy work.
