WLA60625 Finally on the Road!

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jnealsc
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WLA60625 Finally on the Road!

Post by jnealsc » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:45 pm

I'm happy to report that after 8 frustrating months, much money, time and effort, WLA60625 is finally on the road! This bike is a June 1944 produced, Type VI WLA.

I bought this bike as a "restored" turnkey restoration from Europe from an individual who promised the bike was totally restored, road tested and ready to go. The transmission was intentionally put together with worn out, modified and wrong parts. The worn out clutch was reinstalled, seals leaked from the engine output shaft and transmission, the primary chain was too short allowing no adjustment, etc, etc. This was the first vehicle I purchased "restored". Anyone that has seen my work will understand that my standards are high, but this was an obvious attempt to deceive and overcharge a customer. Beware purchasing these bikes from Europe. Check with other customers and do your homework. I'll withhold information on his location and identity pending a partial refund.

Now on the positive side, the bike now runs great and is starting to look respectable for a type VI production. After rebuilding the transmission, clutch assembly, replacing metric bolts and worn out hardware with correct parkerized hardware and adjusting everything, WLA60625 is on the road. I restored my last WLA in the mid '90s but sold it after showing it at the Memphis MVPA convention in '97. Never got to enjoy that trailer queen, but I an going to ride and enjoy this one.

I'll post some pictures in the next few days, but in the mean time I'm looking for a few parts including original leg shields, panel light switch knob, late stamped fender and an original horn. Also looking to complete the tool and spare part kits with an original air pump and wrenches. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks to Kent for the advise and grease gun from the Little Rock show! Dave Thomas, hope to see you a show near by and ride together.
Jamie Neal MVPA #3013

MB 1945 unrestored
GPW #1991 DOD 3/2/42
VC-1 Dodge CC DOD 5/1/40
WC-23 Dodge CC DOD 1/12/42
M3A1 Scout Car 265138
Harley-Davidson WLA 60625 6/44
Ben Hur 1 Ton Trailer G1913 4/43
Converto Dump Trailer


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Bob Shaw
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Post by Bob Shaw » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:51 pm

It's great that another one is back.

,,,But,,,,What?? No Pictures??? :(
Flatfender Restorations 214-236-2535
Spc4 Robert Shaw 13F US Army/TANG 87-92
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showpho ... 61&cat=861" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MB351461 07-15-1944 USA 20615850

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ElwoodJayBlues
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Post by ElwoodJayBlues » Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:35 am

We want pics!!!!
MB 134202, stamped grill, script back
"Lili Marlene"

"Vor der Kaserne, vor dem großen Tor..."

jnealsc
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Post by jnealsc » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:34 pm

OK ok....here are some pics taken today after registration numbers and star applied. Enjoy and let me know what you think...

Image

Image

Image

Image
Jamie Neal MVPA #3013

MB 1945 unrestored
GPW #1991 DOD 3/2/42
VC-1 Dodge CC DOD 5/1/40
WC-23 Dodge CC DOD 1/12/42
M3A1 Scout Car 265138
Harley-Davidson WLA 60625 6/44
Ben Hur 1 Ton Trailer G1913 4/43
Converto Dump Trailer

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faabala
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Post by faabala » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:00 pm

That looks great!

Can't wait to see it in person.

I'll be at the Sons of Valor II battle event outside Camden, SC this weekend.

I'll also be doing a timeline event in April at the Rev War site in Camden.

Man, I need to strip my bike down and repaint and repark. It is looking shabby after 5 years on the road.
Dave Thomas
1942 Harley WLA
(FORMER MEMBER) MVPA#24602

JOIN MY 42 WLA yahoo group
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/42WLA/

jnealsc
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Post by jnealsc » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:11 pm

Thanks Dave...seeing yours back at Camden in 2003 gave me the fever to find another one. Sure hate I sold the one I restored back in '98. It was gourgeous but a trailer queen.

I'm with you, I'm going to ride this one and enjoy it!

Maybe I can get down to Camden in April and we can ride some. Send me the particulars.
Jamie Neal MVPA #3013

MB 1945 unrestored
GPW #1991 DOD 3/2/42
VC-1 Dodge CC DOD 5/1/40
WC-23 Dodge CC DOD 1/12/42
M3A1 Scout Car 265138
Harley-Davidson WLA 60625 6/44
Ben Hur 1 Ton Trailer G1913 4/43
Converto Dump Trailer

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Bob Shaw
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Post by Bob Shaw » Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:05 pm

SWEET !!!!

Job well done ! Congrats !
Flatfender Restorations 214-236-2535
Spc4 Robert Shaw 13F US Army/TANG 87-92
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showpho ... 61&cat=861" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MB351461 07-15-1944 USA 20615850

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Johan WILLAERT
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Post by Johan WILLAERT » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:25 am

Great Bike,

Please share the USA Registration Number you used for my files...

Thanks,

Johan
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

jnealsc
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Post by jnealsc » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:49 am

Johan,

Settled on USA 6111544. Greenberg had a plate for that type that was in the range so I got one to mount as shows and such. Here's a picture of the blue drab on the rear fender.

Image

Have enjoyed your website and referenced it often. The only thing available in '94 when I did my type VII was Bruce Palmer's first book. I got in touch with him and took the bike down to Tampa in pieces. Spent two days with him digging through shelves of NOS parts and goodies. Wish I had taken some pictures. He was a huge help and nice guy.
Jamie Neal MVPA #3013

MB 1945 unrestored
GPW #1991 DOD 3/2/42
VC-1 Dodge CC DOD 5/1/40
WC-23 Dodge CC DOD 1/12/42
M3A1 Scout Car 265138
Harley-Davidson WLA 60625 6/44
Ben Hur 1 Ton Trailer G1913 4/43
Converto Dump Trailer

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Johan WILLAERT
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Post by Johan WILLAERT » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:58 pm

jnealsc wrote:Have enjoyed your website and referenced it often. The only thing available in '94 when I did my type VII was Bruce Palmer's first book.
Hi Jamie,

Yes, his big book was the only thing available back then. I restored mine with that and the original manuals with B/W pictures and drawings

Thanks for the detail on the number!

Have fun with the bike!

Johan
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

karl oliver
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Post by karl oliver » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:00 pm

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: Yeah, That's PAYDAY!!
"Life is tough....it's even tougher if you're stupid" -John Wayne

45 Willys MB SN 436399 DOD 19Apr45
Columbia Westfield MG 43592
Columbia Westfield MG 47928
Lovely wife and two beautiful daughters
Bad Breath and a short.....uh memory!

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Kent Chipman
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Post by Kent Chipman » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:34 pm

Jamie,
Looks GREAT. But you may want to get a rear view mirror.

p.s. I need a tanker helmet.

Kent :D
Kent "Mad Dog" Chipman
GPW I36I8 4-6-42
42WLA 25392
5-45 BT3
Converto 0650924
click for all my pictures:
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showgal ... nt-chipman" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

jnealsc
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Post by jnealsc » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:30 pm

Patience, patience :wink: Parkerized hardware on mirror and windshield today.

Main items I'm looking for are leg shields, 12" pump and misc tools if anyone has any spares.
Jamie Neal MVPA #3013

MB 1945 unrestored
GPW #1991 DOD 3/2/42
VC-1 Dodge CC DOD 5/1/40
WC-23 Dodge CC DOD 1/12/42
M3A1 Scout Car 265138
Harley-Davidson WLA 60625 6/44
Ben Hur 1 Ton Trailer G1913 4/43
Converto Dump Trailer

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Cobra Doc
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Post by Cobra Doc » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:34 am

Nice!!!!!!! :D

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faabala
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Post by faabala » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:49 am

Pumps are out there. I found mine on Ebay. Got it for $1.98 plus $5.00 shipping. It was listed as "old bicycle tire pump". My best Ebay deal ever!
Dave Thomas
1942 Harley WLA
(FORMER MEMBER) MVPA#24602

JOIN MY 42 WLA yahoo group
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/42WLA/


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