Todd starts rides and describes this nicely preserved original paint 1949 Harley WL Flathead "45". Machine was found in Fresno California December 2011 and is in extremely nice original paint condition
nice, that was the common treatment for the war models. They were sold for scrap value after the war and so became a young man's preferred motorcycle. many of the old timer's so loved their 1st machines that these were kept through the years and today hold a nostalgic value all their own. Because of the sheer number's of war machines available, HD only sold around 5000 or so units a year of the civilian 45 until the end of their run, 1952.
todd I noticed you said that the oil tank was up next to the gas. I have never heard of that before. they must have only did that for a few years. I do like the bike. I have another ques. as of 1965 Harley offered a kick and a electric start. many bikes up until the 1980's had kickers as well. when did they stop offering that. and getting a kicker. if I wanted to put a kickstarter on lets say a 2013. is it possible or impossible? thanks. Ben
I have a 42 WLA civilanized, it was nice enough to put on the cover of the book, Harley-Davidson 45's Workhorse and Warhorse. by John Carrol and Gary Stuart written in 1994.
to Alex Davis. yes and no. 1929,30 and 31 45 cubic's had upright generator's. 45 cubic Flathead, but different bike and motor. 1932 the Rl series were introduced. 45 cubic Flathead, yes, but a total loss oiling system, essentially a VL but in 45 cubic inches. The WL series was introduced in 1937 and continued until 1952. The WL 45 cubic Flathead's were SOLO machines, two wheels. The G series Flathead's were also 45 cubic and produced until 1974, These, the G series, were all trikes. Servicar's. The last year, 1974, they had front and rear disc brakes and only a few hundred were made, maybe 3-400
oh my lord what a beautiful bike,full moon,work van qit in the middle of intersection yesterday,daddy took his to pull it,his front brakes were locking on it and i lost my phone lol full moons are evil my whole life believe it or not,god oh mercy where are the shows like your utubes
yes and no. after 1952, 45 flatheads were only produced as in servi car, what we today call a trike. different motor number, different heads, different compression. the servi car, if I recall correctly, was introduced in either 1933 or 1935. prior to this, the 45 was a solo two wheel machine only. Also, the 1st 3 years of the 45 production an upright generator was used. The normal generator position was not introduced until 1932 on the R series machines, which were made until 1936.
todd, how long have you been dealing the bikes. back in the late 80's i saw a trailer with 3 brightly colored old hd bikes on it going down the highway in massachusetts. could that have been you?
so can you educate me ? is there a difference in price value from an original (like the ones you have ) part machine and a machine that was built from parts with all parts being from the same machine year. year correct as one vendor tells me his bike is . thanks in advance .
+Mario Maldo an original paint, meaning paint from the factory prior to being sent to the dealer, has a value roughly double that of one just made of original parts, especially when the history of that machine can be traced to new or new sale back in time
all 45 cubic Flathead HD's had this arrangement for the oil and gas. previous to a returning oil pump, which did not come out on the Flathead models until 1937 and was originally introduced on the 1936 Overhead Valve model (what we call today the Knucklehead), ALL HD' had the oil and gas in the gas tanks. The last 4 speed kick and electric start models were in mid 1986. These were the FXWG and FXEF models. I have no clue about modern bikes or what can be done to them.
i just purchased a 1953 45 need some info about it...of all the youtube channels out there you seem to be the only one who knows what hes talking about...do you have a phone number for the shop?
