1941 civilian WLA?

[Walenut]

This looks nice:

harley flathead chopper bobber on eBay, also, Harley Davidson, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 15-Jan-09 19:22:57 GMT)

& it looks like there's a side car as well.

[banquo]

It's down as a 74ci model U - not a 45 - much more interesting.
Located in France but with UK registration...? Suspicious for a so-called barn find...
And what does that close-up view of the rear axle tell anyone who knows...?

I'm surprised it has 7 bids, and no questions, because the information provided seems extremely limited IMHO...

[Limey_Dave]

It's a 74 (1200) very nice.
L/H chair so UK or SA model.
Think there'll be some last minute scrapping on that by anyone that's read it properly.
Looks like military axle and intake and kick pedal non standard and tank badges '46 on.
Could mean ex SA army model been civilianised and dated on engine number.
Engine could have been changed post war as replacement engines were cheaper that rebuilds.
Still very nice.

[45grum]

Originally Posted by banquo

It's down as a 74ci model U - not a 45 - much more interesting.
Located in France but with UK registration...? Suspicious for a so-called barn find...
And what does that close-up view of the rear axle tell anyone who knows...?

I'm surprised it has 7 bids, and no questions, because the information provided seems extremely limited IMHO...

Is that a military spec axle with the grab handles.

[banquo]

Dunno - I was wondering if he was trying to show something important in that photo, otherwise why bother with that particular shot....?

I see it does have a UK number plate attached. Surprised he's not selling the chair with the bike...

[banquo]

Well, well, well.

A wee bit of research, and it now seems his 'barn find' is a well known bike, last used in 1998, and was sold at auction in 2008, in the UK.

As an outfit, it sold at Bonhams for £8913, including buyer's premium, and it now seems to be getting broken into individual parts to make a quick buck (or the buyer found it was more shagged out than they thought).

Looks in far better condition in Bonham's photo than today (look at the exhaust in particular)...


In response to questions, got this back:

The model is 74U 1941 I bought the bike in September 2008 in England. I have the v5. The bike hasn't run for 15 years. I had to change the jets of carburettor and the battery. It starts and runs without problems. It is just necessary to adjust the carburettor. No mechanical noise and no smoke.
Maybe not such a bad buy....?

[banquo]

I see it went for over 11 grand, plus whatever he got for the sidecar.
Probably made about 5 grand on the deal...

Maybe Bonhams is the place to go to get your bikes for a more reasonable price...

Not a so public as eBay