42 WLA type differences

Featured articles
Post Reply
matt45
Member
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:40 pm
Bikes: '39 UL
'42 wla
'55 FLH
'68 FLH
Location: France

42 WLA type differences

#1

Post by matt45 »

Hi,
Here exhaustive features between all types :


Type I High Ammo Box, First Pattern Front Fender, Round Air Filter, High Headlight, No BO Driving Light, Natural Finish Crankcase, Transmission and Cylinder Heads, Bicycle Type Starter Pedal, Silver Painted Carburetor Body, Aluminum Carburetor Air Inlet Connector, Early Style Data Plate, H-700 Keyed Ignition, Leatherette Windshield Apron

Type II High Ammo Box, First pattern Front Fender, Round Air Filter, Low Headlight, No BO Driving Light, Natural Finish Crankcase, Transmission and Cylinder Heads, Bicycle Type Starter Pedal, Silver Painted Carburetor Body, Aluminum Carburetor Air Inlet Connector, Early Style Data Plate, H-700 Keyed Ignition, Leatherette Windshield Apron

Type III High Ammo Box, First Pattern Front Fender, Rectangular Air Filter, Low Headlight, BO Driving Light (from approx 42WLA20395), Natural Finish Crankcase, Transmission and Cylinder Heads, Steel Spool Type Starter Pedal, Silver Painted Carburetor Body, Aluminum Carburetor Air Inlet Connector, Early Style Data Plate, H-700 Keyed Ignition, Leatherette Windshield Apron

Type IV Low Ammo Box, First Pattern Front Fender, Rectangular Air Filter, Low Headlight, BO Driving Light, OD Painted Crankcase and Transmission and Black Painted Cylinder Heads, Steel Spool Type Starter Pedal, Silver Painted Carburetor Body, Aluminum Carburetor Air Inlet Connector, Early Style Data Plate, H-700 Keyed Ignition, Leatherette Windshield Apron (Canvas from June 1943 at approx 42WLA42000)

Type V Low Ammo Box, First Pattern Front Fender (up to approx 42WLA53000), Second Pattern Front Fender (at approx 42WLA53000), Rectangular Air Filter, Low Headlight, BO Driving Light, OD Painted Crankcase and Transmission and Black Painted Cylinder Heads, Steel Spool Type Starter Pedal, OD Painted Carburetor Body, Steel Carburetor Air Inlet Connector, Early Style Data Plate, Keyless Ignition, Embossed OIL Label on oil tank, Canvas Windshield Apron

Type VI Low Ammo Box, Second Pattern Front Fender, Rectangular Air Filter, Low Headlight, BO Driving Light, OD Painted Crankcase and Transmission and Black Painted Cylinder Heads, Steel Spool Type Starter Pedal, OD Painted Carburetor Body, Steel Carburetor Air Inlet Connector, Late Style Data Plate, Keyless Ignition, Embossed OIL Label on oil tank, Canvas Windshield Apron

Type VII Low Ammo Box, Second Pattern Front Fender, Rectangular Air Filter, Low Headlight, BO Driving Light, OD Painted Crankcase and Transmission and Black Painted Cylinder Heads, Steel Spool Type Starter Pedal, OD Painted Carburetor Body, Steel Carburetor Air Inlet Connector, Late Style Data Plate, Keyless Ignition, Deep Water Crankcase Relief Pipe, Transmission Breather Pipe, Embossed OIL Label on oil tank, Canvas Windshield Apron


Matt
FlatHeadSix
Senior Member
Posts: 2677
Joined: Sat May 29, 2004 8:21 am
Bikes: '31 VL, '34 VD, '45 WLA, '47 WL, '49 FL, '51 WL, '58 ST (Hummer), '71 GE (Servi)
Location: Lonoke, Arkansas
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 49 times

#2

Post by FlatHeadSix »

Another thing to remember is that Harley used a different engine serial number system for most of the WWII production WLA's. Starting in 1942 all the engine numbers started with "42WLA" followed by the sequential serial number which got into 5 digits by the end of the war. So, the "42" does not necessarily mean that it was built in 1942. The machinest's belly numbers on the cases may tell you the actual year of production but they aren't always reliable either.

mike
matt45
Member
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:40 pm
Bikes: '39 UL
'42 wla
'55 FLH
'68 FLH
Location: France

#3

Post by matt45 »

Here some more info about years of production vs VIN motor nb,
You can see that all military any year WLA got the 42WLA digits
(from Parker Book)

Type I : September 1st 1941-December 10th 1941 42WLA1000-42WLA7000

Type II : December 10th 1941-February 15th 1942 42WLA7001-42WLA13650

Type III : May 8th 1942-April 1943 42WLA16001-42WLA39229

Type IV : April 1943-August 1943 42WLA39230-42WLA50829

Type V September 1943-May 1944 42WLA50830-42WLA60000

Type VI June 1944-August 1944 42WLA60001-42WLA62480

Type VII September 1944-August 1945 42WLA62481-42WLA70681

Matt45
Post Reply

Return to “Articles”