WLA45 Help Please

[katie]

Can anyone please advise where I can research the history/story behind my WLA45? Is there a register of some sort, maybe in the US? Thank you.

[Noddy]

Hi Katie.

You can obtain a full DVLA (Swansea) database history of your bike by writing to the DVLA enclosing a cheque for £5 and asking for the full details of your bike held by them. I have used this service and have had a very good return from them.

They will/should send you a copy of every thing they hold on their system relating to your bike, this will include all the previous owners any import documentaion they hold plus details of where and when the bike was sold orginally along with first registration information, this way you will build up the UK history of the bike.

I hope this may help you on your way. Please keep us updated on your progress.

[jules45]

Hi Katie,
Kieran Shortall is the man who may be able to help you. He is a very good authority on military '45's and I know he has traced the history of many bikes. He can be contacted by email at wardepartment@btinternet.com. or his phone numbers are in the Quin on the services page.I believe he charges for this service as it can be a lenthyish process. Best of luck.

[kevscrivener]

Hi Katie

Firstly, welcome to the forum. There are quite a few of us, including myself, on here with 45's so hopefully we should be able to answer some of your questions.

As far as I know there isn't a single resource either in the UK or the USA which is concerned with dating WLA's. There are however a couple of sites which are more specific to the model, including this one; WLA's in Action in WW2 and a few others. There's loads of expertise around so don't be afraid to ask.

The first thing which would help us is a photograph or two of the bike. Follow the instructions here, http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...-could-do.html and let's have a look at the beast!

[dodgyloner]

Hi Katie

Noddy's right about the DVLA records but they will only tell you the UK history of the bike. You may get some sort of import refs to chase up.

US Government and Military records for WLAs were almost non existent and lower level records will mostly have been destroyed decades ago. Your best starting point is the engine serial number (if it has one...) and the "belly" numbers underneath.

Kev's beat me to signposting out Johan Willaert's site which is your best bet for any sort of dating. There are records of the serial number ranges which indicated the "Mark" of WLA. There is also a database of known numbers which may help to narrow down the date of manufacturing. Johan also posts on here occasionally and he is a moderator on the Yahoo 42WLA Group.

You may be very lucky and have other serial numbers on the frame, data plates, unit markings under the paint or some other facet which could link the bike to a particular US Unit, Theater or point in time. For most though the history trail goes cold very quickly.

Can we have some piccys please??

[English Steve]

Hi Katie,

I have been doing similar research on my WLA over the past few months, and the best source of information I have found so far has been right here on this forum.
It is amazing how much knowledge there is here, so please post a few pictures and you never know what they might turn up. Have a read of my thread HERE and you will see what I mean.

Good luck