WLA Bobbers!

A WLA bobber was the original bobber motorcycle that started the entire chopper trend, starting in the 1940's.

A WLA motorcycle is a Harley Davidson military bike that was used extensively in World War II. 

The military guys who came back from the war got their hands on this motorcycle and stripped it down to make it it faster and cooler looking. And since this made the bikes faster and more nimble it set a trend for other bike owners to follow. 

Motorcycles are being bobbed and chopped in backyards and professional shops world wide.

The WLA bobber is perhaps the most historic of all motorcycles of this genre because it was the first to be bobbed setting the chopper trend as we see it now.

WLA Engine Specifications (From The Operators Manual):

• Type Of Engine: 2 cylinder, V type, L head, air cooled.
  
• Cylinder bore: 2.75 inches.
• Stroke: 3 13/16 inches.
• Piston displacement: 45.12 cubic inches.
• Compression ratil: 5.0:1.
• Horsepower (N.A.C.C. Rating): 6.05.
• Engine number (serial), left side of engine base, just below front cylinder.

This two cylinder, V type, air cooled engine of L head design operates on the 4 stroke, 4 cycle principle. Flywheel and connecting rod assebmlies operate on roller bearings. Engin is fitted with low espansion aluminum alloy, cam-ground, horizontally slotted pistons and the deep finned aluminum cylinder heads. As viewed from left side of vehicle (drive chain side), rotation of engine is counterclockwise.

WLA Motorcycle Specializations:

1942 WLA Bobber Flathead:

Russel Lowe built this bobber between 2007-2012, and it maintains many original parts.

Features Of The 1942 Custom Harley WLA Flathead Bobber:

• 1942 WLA.
• Uncut Frame.
• Standard Tanks and Forks.
• BSA 4 Speed m20 Gearbox.
• Amal 932 Carb on Custom Manifold.
• 23" LX500s Front Wheel.
• 16" CB550 Rear Wheel.
• Early Sportster Seat.
• Custom Mid Mounts.
• Custom Exhaust.

Another 1942 WLA Harley Davidson Bobber:

This very nicely restored and customized WLA bobber by the seller dkrar1 on eBay. This motorcycle sports a 45 cubic inch engine, three speed. It retains many of the parts from the original Harley Davidson WLA military bike, like the engine, tranny, chassis, and springer front end.

Fully Customized and Themed WLA Motorcycle:

This WLA bobber is a themed bike built by Hard Nine Choppers. The theme is a bmx bike theme, and they named it DMX.

Looking at this bike you wouldn't even notice that it's a WLA, and that's why I am showing it here.

• It has a 750 Harley flathead motor but the heads were shaped by them.
• It maintains the WLA frame without any modifications, and has springer forks (1942).
• There is no front brake, and the rear brake has been slightly modified.
  
• The bike has BMX handlebars and foot pegs.
  
  

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