1942 Harley-Davidson Model 42 WLC

Key facts

Year

1942
Country

United States
Capacity

750cc
Cylinders

2
Maximum speed

75mph/120.70kph
Price new

Not For Sale To Public
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Harley-Davidson Motor Co, Milwaukee

10,000 motorcycles were among large quantities of equipment supplied to Britain by the USA under the ‘Lend-Lease’ agreement of 1941. The majority were Indians but Harley-Davidsons, like this WLC model designed originally for the Canadian Army, were supplied for service with the RAF and Commonwealth forces. This machine carries Canadian markings.

War Office motorcycle specifications usually required lightweight machines suitable for cross country use. The Harley-Davidson WLC weighed over 500Ib and was not very agile off-road but was robust and a comfortable ride on long road journeys. British riders had to be trained to use the hand-operated gear change (long out of date in Britain) and foot-operated clutch.