Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

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OLDABEWLA
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by OLDABEWLA » Sun Jan 08, 2017 3:40 pm

Johan WILLAERT wrote:
OLDABEWLA wrote:My goal is some day to dress up in the wwii battle clothing and gear (I have everything that will fit me) slide the Thompson in the scabbard and load up the saddle bags and ammo box and go for the ride!

This will give me some sort of respective of what the GI's felt riding the green machine I can't experience it if I don't try??
Come to Tanks in Town in Belgium at the end of Summer...

Image


And a short movie clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSvilUUw9t4
Johan,

Sound like a great time would love to do that!

I notice that few of the WLA's in the picture are running in warm weather with the leg shields in place that's unusual?
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III


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Johan WILLAERT
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Mon Jan 09, 2017 3:20 am

We have a moderate climate, they run the bikes throughout the year with the shields...
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

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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:19 am

Johan WILLAERT wrote:We have a moderate climate, they run the bikes throughout the year with the shields...

It sure would be nice to get a dozen WLAs from the US to go over in mass for the event!!
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Johan WILLAERT
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:34 am

Image
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

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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:45 am

Yesterday was heat cycle day! Bill and I started up the bike. I have never heard it sound so nice. The rebuild , tightening the tolerances on the cams, new valves, valve seats, springs, and probably the NOS muffler gave the bike a completely different sound from the pre-build state. It is a bit more mellow and smooth.

I rode it for about 5 minutes to heat everything up. Bill lives in the mountains near Ruidoso 7000msl. It started on the second kick. We could not get the generator light to go out. We hooked up a multi-meter to trace our generator issue and found that when the cover was removed from the relay the light went out with throttle. The cover is grounding out on one of the posts. A bit of insulation made a suitable temporary fix. The WLA pulled nicely up hill with smooth acceleration under gentle throttle. There was no roughness or hesitation.

We waited 3 minutes and started it again. The previous problem with roughness, probably due to partially closed valves was completely gone. It performed just like the first run, reaching 55 up hill without much effort. Again, the sound is just beautiful.

We let the bike set to cool and had lunch. Upon return we drained the oil, dredged it with a magnet looking for any metal particles or flakes. Did not find any so we filled it with new 60 wt oil and installed the air horn, hose and the dash cover. We lifted the valve covers and checked the tappet clearances. .004" on the intake and .006 on the exhaust. We also checked the torque on the head bolts. All was tight. Just as previously set. I only have one washer left over after everything is installed. :lol: Again, my collection of complete Group 2306 hardware will fix this during the later restoration.

One kick start after priming :)

I made one last run before I had to go to pick up a Dodge WC12 axle. We'll make the last test in a few weeks with a 30 mike run at moderate speeds. We'll check the tightness of the head bolts and do a compression check just to verify the valves. I like Bill's methodical manner in ensuring the rebuild was done properly and that there are no unexpected issues. My approach would have been to close her up, run it and drive home :shock: He has been a great temperance to my inexperience and impatience. I am fortunate to have his wisdom and advice on this project.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:46 am

Johan WILLAERT wrote:Image
I drool over this image and the 45 minute videos of endless WW2 restored vehicles driving by!!!
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by OLDABEWLA » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:23 am

Nothing like a great running WLA! When they aren't running right a guy doesn't want take them too far on a ride or just leaves them set.

The key as you said take your time and check your work. I never rush a job and if it's kicking my rear I'll walk away and go after it another day with a clear mind!

Great Job Oz!
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Lib45 » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:32 am

Great build Oz..I hope you're having fun.
One question though; why use 60 wt. in a freshly rebuild motor?
I would use the prescribed 50 wt....
Personally, for the first 250 miles or so, I'm using 20W50....
But that's me

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:20 am

OLDABEWLA wrote:Nothing like a great running WLA! When they aren't running right a guy doesn't want take them too far on a ride or just leaves them set.

Great Job Oz!
I felt the same way staying within a couple of miles of home. A very unsteady feeling every time. That should change now. I appreciate all your emails and heads up on parts. You are making this a fun adventure.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:26 am

Lib45 wrote:Great build Oz..I hope you're having fun.
One question though; why use 60 wt. in a freshly rebuild motor?
I would use the prescribed 50 wt....
Personally, for the first 250 miles or so, I'm using 20W50....
But that's me
Having much fun! Very soon the temps here will begin to get very hot so many run a 60wt. I used a 40 wt for the first runs prior to draining it. Not sure if I posted that or not. I hope this is a good course of action.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Lib45 » Sun Jan 22, 2017 3:27 am

Any progress?

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sun Jan 22, 2017 6:09 am

My friend will return this weekend, so perhaps next week will make the final run and I will bring it home. WIll try and post another short video at the time.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Wed Feb 01, 2017 7:17 am

Finally some news to report. I and my friends effected a 20 mile ride yesterday. The day was clear amd 59 degrees at an elevation of over 7000'msl. I was a bit apprehensive about the initial stages of the ride because it is in a mountainous region of New Mexico with a steep grade out of the area and a climb of several hundred feet over a 1/2 mile. All of my life-time motorcycle riding (all 200 miles of it) has been done on the flats. I was a bit concerned about making the climb at proper gear and rpm and proper technique on the decent while riding a bike with a freshly rebuilt engine.

The bike performed well on the climb and decent and pulled nicely up in 2nd gear at moderate rpm. A combination of engine braking and front/rear brakes kept everything safe on the decent.

I missed one considerations on the run, namely carburetor adjustment. I had the carb set to run smoothly, adjusting idle IAW the TM for an elevation of 3500msl where I live. We rebuilt the engine and attached the carb with those same settings and I did not readjust the low speed needle, only the idle after she warmed up. As a result, at the higher elevation, (double) where the air is markedly thinner, it was running rich. The problem manifested itself first when I slowed at the the turn around point and down shifted into second at lower rpm. The engine hesitated and sputtered going into 2nd and was a bit problematic accelerating. At higher rpm in the flats, she ran smoothly, until I slowed again to make the turn into the hilly area. The sputtering was much worse, and the engine died. SHe would not start after repeated attempts.

I waited 2 minutes and tried again and my friend noticed a large black exhaust discharge with smell of unburned fuel. We concluded the engine was running rich. BIll rode ahead to get two clean spark plugs and a wrench thinking they were probably fouled. While he was gone, I turned the LS needle in about 5 clicks. She started right up, ran rough at low rpm, but I was able to get home in 3rd and 2nd gear.

Upon return we did the following checks.

1. both cylinders were at fairly even temperature to the feel.
2. We removed the plugs and they were extremely black and sooty showing a reduction in gap where carbon had built up (I was running far too rich)
3. We checked compression in the cylinders, (Rear 54, Front 50) All very normal at that elevation, indicating slightly over 5:1 compression ratio. We put a few squirts of oil in the front to see if the rings were sealing well and did not get any change in the pressure reading.
4. We drained the oil and analyzed. No visible metal flakes on the magnet, and the oil was still nice and "clear". We refilled with fresh 60 wt oil.
5. We installed everything and tightened everything up.
6. We adusted the idle and LS needle for the higher elevation and the bike idle sounding nice.
7. Made one more short run to temperature and found the plugs clean as a whistle.

SHe is back home now where I will continue to get the carb adjusted for my elevation. I added my NOS breaker cover retainer and the Cadmium breaker cover from Way Back Wheels and it took the bike closer to correct in terms of parts with the right finish. Still have several small items to correct, but that will happen in a few years after i ride.

Here she is parked in my workshop among the refuse of parts for my 1941 Dodge WC12 restoration.

NOTE: I was happy to notice that the bike rested for nearly 3 weeks between the last run and it was nice to see NOT ONE DROP of oil anywhere on the bike or on the ground. :P
final shot.jpg
final shot.jpg (199.22 KiB) Viewed 2672 times
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by OLDABEWLA » Wed Feb 01, 2017 11:00 am

Excellent!

I like the purple heart paint job Oz! It's a very nice tribute. October 12th is my birthday.
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Wed Feb 01, 2017 11:43 am

OLDABEWLA wrote:Excellent!

I like the purple heart paint job Oz! It's a very nice tribute. October 12th is my birthday.
Congratulations. That is some coincidence. T/5 Wszolek was part of the 774th TD. Was KIA near Metz. I don't have any connection to the unit myself, only an interest in TDs (and a copy of the original unit history nook).
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)


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