Car & Classic Premium Auctioneer

Bonhams 1793 Ltd – Motorcycle dept

101 New Bond Street, London

W1S 1SR

LOT 546 1942 Harley-Davidson 739cc WLA Project For Sale by Auction

LOT 546
1942 Harley-Davidson 739cc WLA Project
Registration no. not registered Frame no. to be advised Engine no. 42WLA 36240
THE AUTUMN STAFFORD SALE - THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS SHOW
16 October 2022, 10:00 BST
Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
£5, 000 - £8, 000

1942 Harley-Davidson 739cc WLA Project
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. to be advised
Engine no. 42WLA 36240
Introduced in 1929 as a competitor to Indian's successful 750cc sidevalve v-twin, the Harley-Davidson Model D - better known as the '45' (its capacity in cubic inches) - really took off when the USA's entry into WW2 created an unprecedented demand for military motorcycles, around 90, 000 of the WL (military) version rolling off the Milwaukee production lines before hostilities ceased. After rigorous testing in 1939, the US Army ordered its first batch of WLs in March 1940, with further substantial orders of machines from South Africa and Great Britain following soon after. These military Harleys benefited from the new aluminium cylinder heads fitted to the civilian version from 1939 and came with a full complement of equipment including D-shaped foot-boards, crash bars, skid plates, cargo racks and panniers. Designated WLA (Army) or WLC (Canadian-built), the Harley '45' saw action in just about every theatre of war. 'De-mobbed' Harleys helped meet the upsurge in demand for motorcycles in the immediate post-war years, doing much to establish the marque's reputation worldwide.

Purchased by the vendor's father from a breaker's yard around 1970, this WLA appears to have been prepared for civilian use but does not seem to have been registered. Ripe for restoration, the machine is fitted with an unusual seat unit and comes with a silencer and right foot-board (both detached).
Key not required
Footnotes
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.


Buyers Premium and Charges

Memorabilia and Spares
For Memorabilia and Spares (Lots 1-285) the Buyers Premium is 27. 5% on the first £20, 000 of the hammer price; 26% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £20, 000 up to and including £700, 000; 20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £700, 000 up to and including £4, 500, 000 and 14. 5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4, 500, 000.

Motorcycles
For Motorcycles (Lots 301-336 & 401-651) the Buyers Premium will be 15% on the first £500, 000 of the Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.

Buyers attention is drawn to Condition 7 of the Notice to Bidders. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.

Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.

If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.

Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

for sale Harley Davidson model B 350cc SV year 1926 is 90% complete more or less. It is a good project to restore. the engine is complete original in very good condition. It is sold as can be seen in the photos. more information at cometarestauraciones.com

27 Mar 2024
Spain
Private

for sale Harley Davidson WL Liberator 750 cc buiold 1942. Completely overhauled and restored whith lisense. New bearings and pistons, cilinders drilled, new valves and valve guides. The engine is running perfectly. Salesprice 18000 pound or 20500 euro<br><br>restore and overhould data present.<br><br>

1,939
10 Feb 2024
Netherlands
Private

Mot July 2004 Last of the Carb models twin cams. Previous owner had for 7 years. security alarm 2 key fobs. Oil and filter changed every 3000 miles. Serviced and maintained and kept in top condition. Always garaged. Hagon progressive fork springs, Stage 1 Vance & Hines long shot pipes with heat shields, Genuine Harley ...

15,600
20 Mar 2024
Surrey
Private

Harley Davidson street bob, 1584cc ,6 speed, 14412 miles, fully serviced, MOT until May, will easy pass, Reg 01/01/2007, family owned, satin black, FP3 tuner, Vance and Hines long shots, Hollywood bars, 2 1/2” tank lift, flamed seat, powder coated wheels and more Superb bike… 2007 Harley Davidson Street Bob £6,750.00Price ...

14,412
26 Mar 2024
Kent
Private
49
Picture of 1991 Harley Davidson XLH 1200 Sportster - For Sale by Auction

H&H Classic Auction  @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands 27th March, 2024 13:00 1991 Harley Davidson XLH 1200 Sportster No Reserve Registration No: H934 XGK Frame No: 1HD1CAP18MY126158 Engine No: 1CAPM126158 CC: 1200 MOT: None One owner, bought new from Warrs by the vendor in 1991 Stage ...

26 Mar 2024
West Midlands
Premium Auctioneer (see stock)

Stunning custom built cholo style chopper softail custom frame 1600 s&s motor 5 speed stretched twin tanks harrison billit brakes dual fishtails arlen ness dash bluetooth soundsystem handlebar whip this must be seen may take px chopper delivery available<br><br>

24,000
7 Mar 2024
Cheshire
50
Picture of HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED CVO - 2015 - For Sale

INNER CODE: RDS00868 We offer logistics and home delivery service. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer. Wide range of cars & motorbikes in offer in our premises. The car is visible in our showroom in Reggio Emilia, Italy. For more information please contact: Petru: + 39 338 6429745 Pellegrino: ...

33,000
25 Mar 2024
Italy
Premium Dealer (see stock)

Stunning chopper big dog K9. Softail factory built chopper ,S&S engine ,6 speed box , 300 section rear wheel whith new tyre , only 6000 miles , just fully serviced whith new clutch, this must be seen delivery available<br><br>

6,000
7 Mar 2024
Cheshire

Not bad paint work crome some pitting nearly new tyres, comes with spare original rear shocks and original silencers, throw over leather panniers,large rear leather saddel bag, full screen, owners hand book, correct workshop manual , cover, Clarke heavy bike lift, may find some more stuff<br><br>This bike is forward control, ...

13,882
11 Mar 2024
Cheshire
Private

2 owners full service history Full service and MOT November (Scammers timewaisters is why I'm re listing )<br><br>Harrley Davidson heritage softail classic 1340 evolution 1999 In imaculate condition and not a scratch on the perspex visor perfect investment Full service new battery brand new MOT till Nov 24 Full ...

29,000
28 Feb 2024
Staffordshire
Private

Harley Davidson XL883 Sportster, Previously supplied by ourselves and comes with Vance & Hines exhausts, Mustang seat, Chrome headlight conversion, Pull back risers, Custom grips, Service record, Fully Hpi checked. We can offer a Full UK Delivery service along with great part exchange deals, All major cards accepted, Only ...

22,747
22 Mar 2024
Lincolnshire
Verified Dealer (see stock)

Extremely rare Harley Davidson Model RLE year 1933 Incredibly strong engine that sounds healthy Nice old patina 750Ci side-valved High Compression Special Sport Solo Year 1933 is the year since 1910 Harley produced the fewest bikes, model RLE is a special model with a strong engine. It is the only model Harley doesn't ...

14 Mar 2024
Denmark
Private

2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON SUPERLOW XL 883 L 13 In Military livery. Air suspension. Good looking bike, runs great. Low mileage. Registration: DY63 KTX Engine Size (cc): 883 Year of Manufacture: 2013 V5 present Date First Registered: 13/12/2013 MOT Expiry Date: 10/04/2024 5500 miles Serviced at 5000 Service ...

5,500
16 Mar 2024
Wales
Private

The AMA Grand National Championship Class C rules, introduced in 1933 and revised in 1954, had an equivalency formula limiting side valve, engines to 750 cc displacement, while more modern overhead valve engines could be a maximum of only 500 cc. Over time, this displacement advantage kept the older side valve technology ...

21 Mar 2024
Netherlands

SALE was £7495 now £7195 1999 Harley Davidson Dyna Low Rider 1450, only 24333 miles and seven owners from new, hand and service book with service history plus spare key, the bike is in excellent condition and comes fitted with a Fat Boy rear wheel, forward controls, comfort Corbin seat, quick release back rest and ...

24,336
8 Feb 2024
Devon