Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sat Feb 04, 2017 9:30 am

Yesterday was run day. Took the bike on a 12 mile run. Everything went fine until the last 1/2 mile and slow down. It sputtered and coughed at low rpm and would not restart. I made the last 1/4 mile with my head hung low pushing my beloved WLA in shame.

I spoke with Bill and we felt it was probably running rich again given the change in altitude and putting the air cleaner on. This morning I decided to do some trouble shooting.

I took off the plugs and there look normal with no build up. Does not appear to be running rich. Here is one of the plugs:
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I decided to repeat the TM procedures for setting the carb. Got it running, warmed up, spark on advance, set low idle rpm, then backed the needle in until it wanted to sputter, then back out 10 turns. I then checked idle at the retard setting and went back to advance etc. I made a 5 mile run and everything seemed fine, so I decided to see how the warm start worked. I wanted to get it started 3 times and then walk away. On the 3rd start attempt, I noticed the Gen light was not coming on and the choke lever would not move past the 2nd setting.

Analysis: I took off the air horn and out fell what looked like 3 pebbles :shock: They were in fact pinion nuts and the whole air cleaner case was full of them. When we stored the bike in the mountains with the hose off, some industrious Nazi saboteur squirrel filled the air cleaner up. I got that taken care of, but have no idea if any got sucked into the engine :?
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Next I tackled the Gen light issue. I used a multi meter and found 6.31 volts, but the nut from the right battery terminal had fallen off and it was loose in the battery terminal hole. More Nazi squirrels I suppose.... Drecksau! :evil: After adding a lock washer and nut, the Gen light worked fine and the bike started 4 times with no issue.

My next task will be to do about 3-4 15-20 mile rides around home to gain some confidence in me and the bike.

Oz out!
Oz

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


Lib45
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Lib45 » Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:03 am

Only shows even animals love old iron Steve..

Be it for nesting or storage..

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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:03 am

Lib45 wrote:Only shows even animals love old iron Steve..

Be it for nesting or storage..
Perhaps they are MVPA members!

I did take a nice leisurely ride on Saturday afternoon with a friend who brought his restored jeep. Another successful ride with no complications or nuts!
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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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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Feb 09, 2017 2:02 pm

I did two rides this week of about 7-ish miles with no problems. The engine seems to be performing well and the carburetor issues seem to have been resolved. I adjusted the rmp down a bit at idle and verified in the retarded position it still idled, although at a slow lope.
I own a multi-meter that will assess rpm on a 2-cylinder engine. Does anyone know what is a mechanically suitable rpm to adjust a warmed WLA which is idling in the advanced position? I know most say "adjust by ear", but I don't know what normal is supposed to sound like.

I'll put a few more dozen miles on it on increasing length trips, then check the plugs and perhaps the tappet clearance.

I also found a Type II air horn that is the steel version to replace the aluminum one, so one more part will be correct for a Type V bike. It is coming in from England in a few weeks.
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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 » Thu Feb 09, 2017 6:56 pm

this may help? Craig
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☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by OLDABEWLA » Thu Feb 09, 2017 6:59 pm

Hey Oz,

I'm going to send you my Hog when it's ready to break in and adjust it sound like your doing a great job!
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Feb 09, 2017 10:15 pm

I have not read about keeping the pike vertical as opposed to on the kick stand. Thanks for that tip.

PS: As I think about this note, I am not seeing how the angle of the carb affects the amount of fuel being sucked through the passages and into the intake. That should be a matter of air pressure created by the suction, and not be impacted by the carb bowl being tipped slightly. If the carb float level is slightly lower, that should only affect the total fuel in the bowl, and not the pressure/suction in the venturi and jets.

Am I correct in this or not?
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 Feb 10, 2017 3:04 pm

They want the bike up right so it won't throw off the float level.
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by Lib45 » Sat Feb 18, 2017 5:35 am

When your bike is on its sidestand, the float will cut off supply earlier (read; at a lower level) than normal.
The carb " thinks" it's full when actually...it's not.
This influences idling and thus proper adjusting.
Try this; start your bike, run it till it's warm and then put it on its jiffy...do you notice it starts idling at lower revs?

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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Sat Feb 18, 2017 6:26 am

Thank you both for explaining that. I'll give it a try.
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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17thAirborne
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Re: Getting a WLA42 Type V Running Again

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Mar 02, 2017 6:52 am

I bought a large metal display case to take with on WLA displays to go with the other one that has the tool roll and the spare parts roll. This one shows a few more items that might have accompanied the rider in the ETO. Everything is pre 1945 from my collection. The goal in the end is to have these two cases, the Spare engine in a crate display next to the bike for living history events or displays at venues. There are just too many things I could put into this case, so i guess I could change it out from time to time. Or get another case :lol:
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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 Johan WILLAERT » Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:10 am

17thAirborne wrote:I bought a large metal display case to take with on WLA displays to go with the other one that has the tool roll and the spare parts roll. This one shows a few more items that might have accompanied the rider in the ETO.
Great idea and display, Oz! There was not really a list of what items were carried by a WLA rider in the ETO in 1944-45.. However I see you display the 1943 edition of the MC Mechanic's Handbook and that book actually holds a ‘Stowage List for Army Motorcycles’ which shows items authorized for issue to motorcyclists under the Armored Force’s T/BA No17. The list was approved for both WLA and XA models.

It is what I used as reference for the virtual display near the bottom of this page of my website:
http://www.theliberator.be/liberator2.htm

I still need to set-up and photograph the displays of weapons and ammo as described in that same chapter, but I'm still a bit hesitant to post pictures of my hardware for everyone to see...
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 Mar 03, 2017 12:02 pm

Johan,
That is good information. I see that in the manual. I have a few of the items and it will be nice to display them with the bike. It seems everything is on the menu, and I like a few captured items also.
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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 Mar 03, 2017 9:16 pm

The NOS carb arrived today. Here are some shots right out of the box. The OD paint really is that dark.
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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 Mar 03, 2017 9:28 pm

Just a note on the Low Speed Needle adjustment. The Linkert site says to back it out 5 turns to begin with, The TM says 3 turns, elsewhere I have seen 2 turns. I am going with the manual setting of 3 turns out, then adjust in slowly once warmed up.
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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