42WLA On Ebay 19 Mar 17

[17thAirborne]

Ran across this and I just do not like the way the engine boss is stamped. There are no better images. It is on a bill of sale with no title. Just on the surface, this could be either a boon for spare parts, or a problem with the VIN issues that abound with untitled WLAs. It is at $5700 as of Friday 1300MST

Thoughts? Am I out to lunch here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1942-Harley-Dav ... cT&vxp=mtr

s-l500.jpg (32.01 KiB) Viewed 1488 times

[Lib45]

I have learned in the past years to not dismiss every non-factory stamped engine as a fake...
This could be a legit 'field-job' done by either an ordonance mechanic or at some dealership..
Don't forget: they didn't all have the time to sent it to the MoCo for a proper stamp nor did all of the mechanics had the right stamps/ fonts...
This is a legit type III number, problem is; without papertrail or known history....how you're gonna proove it?

If it's nice..I'd buy it Steve..; what do the other marks (frame..forks ..casenumbers etc) say?

[17thAirborne]

As I understand from Palmer's book the most reasonable conclusion would a dealer replacement of an engine wherein they restamped a blank boss with the original WLA number. I am fairly sure the US Army did not possess the same stamp kits that HD used for marking the boss. If this engine was replaced by a dealership, then there should be a record of it somewhere as HD seems pretty good with record keeping.

I just don't like how the numbers are crooked and then dropped down to the bottom of the boss and back up again. In my opinion this engine was not done at the factory. I would worry about getting a title for it.

.....but that is just my opinion.

Ozzie

[Lib45]

I would be very surprised Steve if these wardocuments would've survived...
Although Palmer states that in case of an engineswap, the blank VIN boss would've NOT been stamped and the WD-number would be the only trace to keep track of such a motorcycle...
I've seen several examples that contradict that statement..I simply refuse to believe a postwar owner would simply stamp a made up number in the boss which was spot on...
He wouldn't have known what number to use and I have only heard of just a few copies..( motors with the same VIN).
But..as stated before..you can't proove it without the proper paperwork..

[17thAirborne]

Given all of the controversy over VIN numbers, it is all the more reason to stay away from trying to register the bike to ride. If it does not have a title, that is problematic *not imporssible to overcome). I would buy it for all of the parts alone.

[OLDABEWLA]

There is no way that engine came from the US Military with the cast iron heads on it these are found on civilian and servi car 45's and the chrome valve covers.
Belly numbers would tell the story about what's up with the engine cases.
Would make a great project or parts bike but without the title who know if it is a stolen engine? and that's why the engine numbers are not stamped with the Harley stamps I also see a stamp left of the serial number under the cylinder base as a state inspection stamp?.

[OLDABEWLA]

The tanks also look to be for the 1947-52 WL wrong ones for the cateye dash in 1942

[Lib45]

If you go to your local DMV and give them this VIN to check against Interpol's "black list"..it's simple to find out if this engine was stolen or fake..
As mentioned before: bellynumbers could give some clearance..
In Holland, where the government values framenumbers over motornumbers, this would be a great projectbike.
I guess in the states..this would be parted out and the cases dumped..

[17thAirborne]

Closed at $7305, with 3 bidders working it out in the last minutes. If the VIN checks out it will be a great deal providing most of the big parts are OEM. Still a reasonable price for a frame, forks, rims, engine (parts) and many other parts.

In all sincerity, Good luck to the buyer.