1942 XA

[1962FLH]

You dont see one of these for sale every day 1942 Harley XA on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Davidson ... 022wt_1109" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[old.wrench]

Especially one that looks like that!

[58flh]

THAT was another one light-yrs. ahead of itself!--I have a real good question for the PROS> & History buffs---Before WW-2 DID HD ever team-up with BMW for designs just like that XA!--Side cyl.s!,I have had the pleasure of tuning-up a old BMW with a hack,& ofcourse I asked Before I turn the bike over to you ,May I please road-test it without the hack?-& owner was all for it,I must say it was a very pleasant exp. & a Bullet!--I also did not ever go over 3000RPMs.LOOKED EXACTLY like the XA/w-driveshaft.----Richie

[RUBONE]

Before WW-2 DID HD ever team-up with BMW for designs just like that XA

No, they did not.
They did however have an opposed twin much earlier, the 1919 Model W sport, a lightweight bike that only lasted a couple years. It was more copy of the English "Douglas". The first BMWs were also basically copies of the "Douglas" as well.
The BMW R71 and R72 are much like the XA. They are sidevalve designs. The BMW R75 is an overhead valve design and the one BMW was going to during the war as the sidevalve was considered old technology and becoming obsolete.

Lots of XAs were civilianized in an attempt to sell them. Few exist in either original military or civilian trim today as the factory never produced spare parts (other than the initial contract) and most dealers were not trained or equipped to work on them. The same applied to the 841 Indian shaft drive.

[58flh]

Robbie--Thanks.---The BMW I rode-(opposed-cyl.)-was in the 40s.It was a real easy nice fast runner!--I always didn't like the cyls. hanging out ,for obvious reasons!.Even with engine guard--It helped I believe at slow-speeds & when sitting still & falls over!--Then ITS $$$$$ to fix all that!--BUT given the chance I would LOVE to have eighter!-BMW or XA!----RICHIE

[Cotten]

It's curious Folks,..

That there are LOT more Indian 841s around today than XAs.

Don't ask me why, because they seemed every bit as doomed...

....Cotten

[sambo42xa]

Well I hope mine isn't "doomed". She still in Military trim and I'd like to keep it that way!

[kitabel]

Sport, Douglas: 180° opposed twin, crankshaft 90° to the wheelbase, cylinder axis parallel to the wheelbase (like a conventional V-twin)
XA, BMW, Marusho, Lilac, etc.: 180° opposed twin, crankshaft aligned with the wheelbase, cylinder axis 90° to the wheelbase