Description
Harley Liberator WLA 750 cc: This great looking and very original 1943 WLA comes with an interesting and long known history. Up to recent it has been in possession of same family for 40 years. No barn find, see below.
Many moving parts have been renewed recently:
It has new front and rear brakes; new battery, new points and condenser, a new clutch; modern type cut-out relay; tires are as good as new; new chain and sprockets. The carburettor is the original Linkert 88, which has been refurbished with new float, saddle and needle. The oil pump has been refurbished and has new springs and ball valves; seat post and springs are new and suited for tall, heavier riders but can be changed back to smaller riders if need be. All electrics are working as it should. The high-pressure cylinder heads have ‘5’ stamped on both. Both cylinder heads have got the correct pressure. The numbers on the sump are matching. Blackout lights are not connected but is easily done if wanted. Most of the above parts are either NOS or new, purchased from Harley parts dealer ‘JW Boon’ in the Netherlands. Receipts are available.
It comes with: Tompson Denix machine gun; a repro leather Thompson scabbard; post war original leather Thompson ammo pouch with 4 mags; Harley windscreen and US shovel, which are possibly original but not 100% sure; original US army WW2 woollen blanket. After WW2, it was used by the Greek (Hellenic) Army, most likely by the Military Police (see black & white pic), as it has Greek letters stamped on the engine, which are the same as on the MP’s helmets on the picture. Also it came with a siren as used by MP.
After the war, the US government sold many of their surplus vehicles to various countries. In 1947 they apparently sold many WLA’s to Greece (according to info on WLA sites).
It was exported to the Netherlands around 1977, by a Dutch motorcycle importer, possibly ‘Wout Hilhorst’, who at the time imported multiple WLA’s from Greece ( according to info on WLA sites).
It was then bought by a Dutch engineer (I have his name in the documents), who restored and registered it first in the Netherlands back in 1982. It then stayed within his family (40 years) as he passed it on to his son.
I bought the WLA from the son in April 2023. They clearly cherished and looked after it for all this time as it was in beautiful condition when I bought it and he still rode it on some WW2 remembrance events.
I still have the original Dutch (like DVLA) first registration documents from 1982 and road tax certificates from 1982 onwards; they come with the sale. I also comes with the export documents from when I transported it to the UK.
As the bike has been with the same family for so many years, it is very original with no repro parts that I can see. It came with the metal bracket for Thompson scabbard, low model ammo box, vintage WL thick leather saddle bags, and original very comfortable leather saddle and leathers are in great condition. The front mudguard is the late war (desert) type. It has the Cycleray headlamp and glass, and Corcoran Brown Cincinnati tail light.
As you can see it looks stunning. It starts instantly and runs great. Oil and grease have been changed, and it’s ready to ride home. I decided to sell as I hardly ride it now, due to recently having bought a HD Big Twin.
