B efore the outbreak of World War II, both Harley-Davidson and Indian were commissioned to manufacture motorcycles for the war effort – fuel efficient and maneuverable vehicles that could get places other vehicles could not.

The 1943 WLA was Harley-Davidson’s contribution. Based on the flathead vertical-twin WL engine, but with alloy heads for better cooling, the bruiser was equipped with a skid plate, blackout lights, super heavy luggage rack, saddle bags and a scabbard to carry a machine gun. The bike also was painted in drab olive.

Altogether, about 90,000 WLAs were built and saw service everywhere imaginable. Not surprisingly, after the war veterans bought up the surplus machines for their own use back home. –Larry Santa

SPECS:
Price: NA
Displacement: 750 cc
Engine: Vertical Twin
Dry Weight: 540
Top Speed: NA

Photos and VIDEO gallery at right.

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Y ou would be hard pressed to find a Harley enthusiast who doesn’t long to own a Knucklehead – if he or she doesn’t already have one. Built from 1936 to 1947, they are the quintessential Harley – big and bad and classically cool.

There are Flatheads, Panheads and Shovelheads, but the Knucklehead stands alone. The fastest bike of its time, capable of some 100 mph, it’s still considered one of the sexiest bikes ever produced and a longtime popular choice for chopper builders.

Along with its endearing name – for the unique shape of its cylinder head – it was the first overhead-valve motorcycle made for the street in a twin-cylinder V-configuration, according to Mark Mederski, executive director of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which includes the Motorcycle Hall of fame Museum. Surprisingly, perhaps, Harley Davidson made single-cylinder models in the late 1920s with overhead cams.

Knucklehead engines powered both the 61-cubic inch EL series and later the 74-cubic inch FL models of Harley Davidson. Characteristic of these models is the “tombstone” shaped tail light and mufflers that actually helped to quiet the exhaust. There’s also the four-speed hand shifter attached to the fuel tank.

While it may look dated in the minds of many, this model exemplifies “some of (Harley Davidson’s) best body work,” Mederski says.

Not interested in a Knucklehead, then consider the boat-tail Sportster or the FX. There’s also the more contemporary XLCR, of which plenty of examples can still be found.

“They don’t handle great or have great brakes, and have a Shovelhead type motor, but they are a classic Willie G. (Davidson) design. And I think anything associated with Willie G design work is probably a good thing.”

The XLCR Café Racer is a unique bike in relationship to other Harley models. It was aimed at “stoplight” racing on the West Coast – a take-off of the bikes ridden by motorcyclists from Europe who raced from café to café. The model was produced from 1977 to 1979 and included an all-black steel tank and fiberglass tail piece along with black exhausts.

Still not to your liking? Well, any Harley Davidson road racer with pedigree also is an excellent choice for a classic collectible, Mederski says.

By Lawrence Sanata

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Harley-Davidson WLA

Harley-Davidson WLA

Equipped with a "Tommy Gun" and painted in drab olive, this was a bike looking for trouble.

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