Unusual WLA serial number

youngjohn · #1 04-20-2008, 08:35 PM

Hello - I'm a new member from the UK with a long term Shovel and a newly aquired WLA. The WLA has the serial number M 61810 on the side of the crankcase near the timing inspection plug. It also has 45 4400 on the belly of the crankcase. Can anyone shed any light on these numbers as the first one seems to be incorrect. Also the forks have been extended, and I am going to shorten them back down to standard. Can anyone give me a measurement, say from the centre of the pivot at the bottom of the fork to the lip where the bottom yoke 'wraps around' the outside of the fork? (or any other 2 points for that matter)

Many thanks.

johnnysurf1 · #2 04-21-2008, 02:16 AM

welcome youngjohn,the m 61810 is not a wla # so it probably was a blank replacement case restamped.the belly #'s appear to be 1945 year.do these #'s match your reg?my 1942 wla has a fork measurement of 15" bottom of rear leg to wraparound,15 5/8 " front leg. hope this helps.....johnny

HSMaxim · #3 05-04-2008, 08:47 PM

Could the engine be one of those ones used for a generator or water pump we have been hearing about?

johnnysurf1 · #4 05-05-2008, 05:27 PM

i don't think harley made engines specificly for those applications, there would be enough briggs,waukesha's.the water pump,gen's motors were probably war surplus wla's with wla or blank vins.

rydermike · #5 05-12-2008, 09:51 PM

45 4400 Might be the serial number , USAF aircraft (formed after WW2) the serial number the 1st 2 digits were the fiscal year of the the purchase , so the motorcycle might be a 1945 buy and 4400 is the serial number ?

FilthyLucre · #6 06-30-2008, 03:37 PM

the 45 4400 is not a serial number it is the crankcase production number.&nbsp\\; Both case halves should have the same number showing that they were machined and mated together.&nbsp\\; The cases were made in 1945 but with WLA's the serial number could have started with 42WLAXXXX since they made 42 WLA's into 1945.&nbsp\\; The serial number you have may have been a builders #.&nbsp\\; Check to see if the number boss has been ground down or overstamped.&nbsp\\; It may have been put on a set of blank replacement cases that were available for years.