1957 military XLA sportster

there was a 1957 xla I own one well actually just bought it sat. pretty cool bike and rare as can be there was only 418 of them made between 1957 and 64 250 of them were made in 64 so doing the math average of only 25 were made in 1957

Originally Posted by the_french_owl

You haven't searched hard enough!!!

Not too sure there was an XLA in 57 without checking my books...

...But found on the web these 2 photos of languishing 1959 XLAs, portuguese army, for sale in a knacker's yard around 1980... Note the WLA rear carrier, H-D must still have had the stamping tools... Wonder where they all are now??? Nice bases for a decent ride...

... Not to mention the Nortons and Sunbeams S7 in the background...





Just standard XL/XLH painted all over...

Patrick

was actually 418 were made but it was between 1957 and 1964 250 of them were made in 1964

Originally Posted by the_french_owl

... Well, photos are there!!! Check your tabs on the top of the page to allow photos to appear...

Yep, I've checked some books, loads of contradictory statements... One says 400 XLA were made in 57, but I can't see the US army buying so many of a 1st year untried unit without long tests of feasability???

I've got photos of a 63 XLA somewhere, same again, std XLH, certainly not XLCH based!!!

Patrick

[andypandy]

Logically thinking you would have thought the U.S. military would have opted for the XLCH with magneto ignition and less bulk on it for a despatch bike, Less problems in the field when you dont have to worry about your battery???

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by andypandy

Logically thinking you would have thought the U.S. military would have opted for the XLCH with magneto ignition and less bulk on it for a despatch bike, Less problems in the field when you dont have to worry about your battery???

They probably tried starting one and walked away!

I agree it does seem logical, but thinking about it most of the British bikes of WW2 like the G3 Matchless and 16H Norton had battery/coil ignition, as did the 45.

[Limey_Dave]

The G3 had a magneto and chain driven dynamo,got coil with the short stroke alternator engine.
The 16H and Big4 (600 version) had a Magdyno.

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by Limey_Dave

The G3 had a magneto and chain driven dynamo,got coil with the short stroke alternator engine.
The 16H and Big4 (600 version) had a Magdyno.

Dammit! Might have known there'd be some old bugger around who had 'em new and was better informed than me!

[45Brit]

the BSA M20 had a magdyno.