Registration No: BSV 425
Frame No: IMT84024
MOT: Exempt

• 1941 Harley WL45 and Vintage Steib S501 sidecar
• Maintained and owned by a very passionate owner
• In very good running order and used regularly
• With a current V5C

From the beginning of 1942 until the end of hostilities in 1945, Harley Davidson built approximately 88,000 motorcycles for the American and allied forces, of which 80,000 were the WLA/WLC 45s. The machine, which was derived from the pre-war, civilian side-valve WL 45 cubic inch series, generated 23hp at 4,600rpm on the low grade petrol available and weighed 576lbs. Canadian-built, WLC models offered the option of a hand-operated clutch, but the US-built WLAs relied entirely on foot operation.The motorcycle was equipped with a screen, rifle scabbard - complemented by a front pannier mounted on the fork leg, leather panniers at the rear and a large air cleaner. Many found their way onto the civilian market, some retaining their Olive Drab battle dress whilst others were refinished in civvies.

This WL45 was imported into the UK from the US in the 1980s and changed hands twice before being purchased by a Mr Sutton from Yorkshire, who planned to restore it as part of his collection. Due to ill-health, he sold the Harley to the present owner in 2011 who started a complete restoration in 2017, importing original parts from America and buying NOS from J. W Boon in The Netherlands. The engine was stripped and the engine blueprinted and rebuilt by Matt’s Machine Shop in Wales, increasing the capacity to 900cc. Final assembly was completed in 2022. The Steib S501 was rescued from a salvage yard in 2018 and underwent a complete restoration, colour matched with the WL45 and attached in 2022. The completed combo has been a reliable runner ever since. A hand clutch release mechanism has been added to assist in pulling away in first gear - the standard hand shift/foot clutch remains operational for all gears. Offered with the V5C, this is a beautiful example and a reliable Vintage combo that is guaranteed to turn heads.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217