WLDD Surfaces

Information about the identification and numbering of frame, motor belly, transmission and other parts
Post Reply
speedking1949
Member
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:37 pm
Bikes: 49 FL
Been thanked: 3 times

WLDD Surfaces

#1

Post by speedking1949 »

Hey Guys:

Can anyone tell me anything about the '39 WLDD? A shop near me has one for sale. The Palmer book does not even mention it. Online sources tell me that that production of this model was 267 in 1939 only. Specifically, can anyone tell me if the WLDD had cylinders with larger cooling fins and a four-bolt intake manifold with Linkert M-41? I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has information on these.

R.M.
Attachments
018_crop.jpg
018_crop.jpg (266.75 KiB) Viewed 1791 times
1950Panhead
Senior Member
Posts: 2404
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:28 am
Bikes: 1950Panhead
Location: USA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 366 times

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#2

Post by 1950Panhead »

RUBONE
Moderator
Senior Member
Posts: 8376
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
Has thanked: 478 times
Been thanked: 2933 times

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#3

Post by RUBONE »

The WLDD stamping was the new WLD special for mid '39. It does not use a 4 bolt manifold, it uses the 3 bolt similar to the UL/ULH version. The biggest difference between it and the WLD was the Aluminum heads and the mid size ports. Note that no factory porting was done on this engine. They also used standard valves and cams.

Image
speedking1949
Member
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:37 pm
Bikes: 49 FL
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#4

Post by speedking1949 »

Thanks for both replies.

Am I correct in thinking that the "deep fin cylinders" on the DD model were, like the aluminum cylinder heads, standard issue on later 45's?

Any ideas on what carburetor was fitted to the DD?
RUBONE
Moderator
Senior Member
Posts: 8376
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
Has thanked: 478 times
Been thanked: 2933 times

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#5

Post by RUBONE »

Am I correct in thinking that the "deep fin cylinders" on the DD model were, like the aluminum cylinder heads, standard issue on later 45's?
No, the "deep fin" cylinders were only used on the WLD models in the '40s, WLs used the small fin cylinders. WLD cylinders are rare and very expensive!
Robbie
kitabel
Senior Member
Posts: 1500
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:10 pm
Bikes: 1937 U big flathead, 88" stroker, dual port, big cams, pop-up pistons
Location: Lynbrook, New York
Has thanked: 32 times
Been thanked: 387 times
Contact:

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#6

Post by kitabel »

All 1936-73 "normal" cylinders, including commercial and military, solo and trike variants with both 3/8" and 7/16" bolts have casting numbers:
Front 120-36
Rear 120-361

All 1939-* "special" cylinders including WLD, WLDD, WLDR and WR variants have casting numbers:
Front 120-39
Rear 120-391
cdndewey
Member
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:07 am
Bikes: 42 WLC, 47 EL, 53 FLE, 62 FL, 78 FLH
Location: British Columbia
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 20 times

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#7

Post by cdndewey »

I posted a 1939 factory brochure here on the sight. Go to Documentation and then factory brochures and have a look to see if there's anything in it of use to you.
speedking1949
Member
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:37 pm
Bikes: 49 FL
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#8

Post by speedking1949 »

Thanks!

The '39 brochure does not mention the DD.

So the DD was a standard 45 except for the WLD cylinders and aluminum heads?

Being one of a production run of 269, is it worth a significant premium over over a WL now? R.M.
RUBONE
Moderator
Senior Member
Posts: 8376
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
Has thanked: 478 times
Been thanked: 2933 times

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#9

Post by RUBONE »

As far as I know the picture I posted (back cover of the Enthusiast in April '39) is the first public acknowledgement it exists. It is a WLD with added aluminum heads, the first time they appear on a 45 street bike. The cylinders are special in that the deep fins first appeared. The next season aluminum heads became standard on the WLD and the cylinders as well so the second D in the serial number was dropped as it no longer had special meaning. As far as value, it is only special if someone really likes having an odd number and then only if it is correct as far as the equipment goes.
Robbie
kitabel
Senior Member
Posts: 1500
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:10 pm
Bikes: 1937 U big flathead, 88" stroker, dual port, big cams, pop-up pistons
Location: Lynbrook, New York
Has thanked: 32 times
Been thanked: 387 times
Contact:

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#10

Post by kitabel »

1939 is also the first use of the larger (UL-sized) 3 bolt manifold, front-drive magneto, and hotter roller tappet cam - whether they reached the WLDD on line, or just sold OTC, qien sabe?
Cooniecat
Junior Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:36 pm
Bikes: Panhead 48F
Flathead 37U (at work)
Location: Germany

Re: WLDD Surfaces

#11

Post by Cooniecat »

More interested things about WLD, WLDR and WR´s :

http://www.beautyofspeed.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Joe
Post Reply

Return to “Identification”