"This handsome, comprehensively restored 1947 Harley-Davidson WL Police model is part of the longest chain of police models produced by any manufacturer. Harley-Davidson began supplying motorcycles to America’s police forces in 1908, with the first customer being the Detroit PD, and many cities followed. Those first municipal patrol machines were basically standard models with a few stenciled logos on the tank and fenders, but police models would become more specialized over time as lights and sirens became the norm. In the ‘Teens and early 1920s, a standard V-twin was just the ticket to keep the sparse traffic under control, as motorcycles were quicker, faster and more agile than just about any car, and with only a few hundred miles of paved roads in the period, agility was a real advantage. Prohibition and the consequent rising wealth of organized crime syndicates meant the “bad guys” could afford the best and fastest cars and motorcycles themselves.




Most police used Harley-Davidson J models with 61 CI motors, while the 74 CI JD models were faster—it took a while to make the shift for police forces, but the need for speed paired with increasing traffic on America’s roads meant the factory responded by offering faster bikes for police forces. The side-valve 80 CI VLH model from 1935 was intended as a police pursuit motorcycle, and it was tested by the California Highway Patrol at a sustained 100 MPH. That was as fast as anything on the roads, once again, and kept Harley-Davidson out front in supplying highway patrols across the country. During World War II, the WLA side-valve was the machine of choice for MPs, and many police forces adopted the WL civilian model for patrol duties after the war, as with this machine. The stone reliability of the WL series made it a natural for fleet sales, and its wartime reputation was peerless, as it could be relied on in any weather or conditions to keep slogging along.



This 1947 Harley-Davidson WL 45 CI Police model is a stunning, comprehensively restored machine that comes complete with the period-correct streamlined siren and red lights."

many more pictures at the Mecum link and this bike is part of a collection hitting the auction block June 3-7.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/NC0420-40...l-police-bike/

 

Lots of reproduction parts, lots of incorrect parts, paint etc. Nice enough looking rider, but.............................

Followed the link to look at all of the pictures, it only got worse. She is pretty, but not a proper restoration at all.

 

I can't speak for the authenticity of the build but DAMN....that's one fine looking classic motorcycle right there!!!

 

Here is a 1948 Panhead going on the block from the same collection.





More pictures and a write up at the link.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/NC0420-40...on-el-panhead/

 

These are new screensavers for me. Thanks Soldier

 

I followed the link to check out the 1946 WL, for sure not done correctly, just done to be pretty.

 

Both are cool looking vintage bikes.

 

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL bikes, both of them.

 

Both of those are sweet , but the 48 Pan would look pretty nice sitting in my shop , and I promise , I would ride it everyday ..

 

Yeh, me too. And since it and I were born the same year it would be the perfect fit.