| Author | Message | ||
     Danger_dave |
I have a gig to do an article on a fully restored WLA. Anybody know any interesting facts - or links to info on the bike? Just looking a few conversation starters with the owner and maybe some angles for the yarn. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
fact - i want one. | ||
| Danger_dave |
'Mate, Hybrid wants one' - and we see where it goes from there :-) | ||
| Dj66ftw |
As i understand it,the superstition about green bikes being unlucky comes from the high rate of casualties among the WLA'S riders. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
hahaha yeah, thats how the interview should start Seriously, I know little of them, but anytime I do see one in person (like recently at a vintage meet) I all but drool over them. So cool looking, I love the history of the bikes etc I am envious of you getting a ride on one Look forward to seeing the writeup bud | ||
| Prior |
I've got a friend that had a restored WWII one... Will ping him to see if they still have it and pass on the details if he does. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I'm not sure I'm going to get to ride it. It's more of a story on its history and the restoration process. Reep - thanks for the email - I'll talk to the owner and see if I need further info from others - cheers. | ||
| Reepicheep |
They have some on display at the museum at Fort Knox also, so you might be able to ring up or email a curator there. http://www.knox.army.mil/ | ||
| Prior |
WLA I knew of has been sold to a museum in Japan... She was a sweet ride, but no dice for what you need I suppose. | ||
| 1313 |
It's not really what you are looking for but I had a brush with a 42 WLA earlier this year in Wilmington, NC. The owner was the most personable person I've ever met. He started the bike up while Oldog and I were checking it out. The story is that it was a Russian Military bike, that the owner restored and RIDES wherever he takes it. GOTTA LOVE THAT! Unfortunately these are the only pics I took of it:    On a somewhat related note I have a friend in Berlin, Germany who owns a 45 WLC. Completely odd to think that a Civilian bike from WWII would end up being where a shiteload of Army bikes would've been on 'active duty' during the same time. Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the 45 WLC, 1313 | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
following on Reepi's post, contact Dale at Wheels Through Time out of Asheville NC I'm sure he's had his hands on many of these over the years, extremely knowledegable guy! http://wheelsthroughtime.com/ | ||
| Court |
The premier restoration source in the United States is Yesterday's Restoration Contact Mike Patterson or Bruce Zimmerman. | ||
| Dj66ftw |
So I'm the only guy that actually had anything to say rather than referencing someone else? I hope i was at least correct! | ||
| Prior |
I've met ton of WWII vets through WWII reenacting, and, and we've got a Badwebber who is a huge WWII vehicle nut- never in my talks with them did they ever say that green was a bad color for a bike. The WLA riders did some tough missions, I know hundreds of vets same that have seen that bike and I never remember hearing the color issue. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Thanks men. Smoke if you got 'em. I didn't ride it - but it was a very interesting session. I'll be checking out your links for the research.  | ||
| Dj66ftw |
Maybe it was the BIKERS in the 60's who hearing the horror stories of those vet's, came to feel that green bikes were unlucky. Then i heard it from some of them in the 80's. You must have a beautiful mind to be able to say you "know" hundreds of WWII vets, I personally cant even say i "know" hundreds of people. I read somewhere that competition between Harley and Indian for the military contract resulted in both the Indian Scout and the WLA, and was the beginning(?) of the end for Indian. But i suppose "somewhere" isn't a credible source. Damn coffee table books. | ||
| Danger_dave |
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| Reepicheep |
Nice video Dave, thanks for sharing that. I'm probably only demonstrating that I am American by asking that, but was it an M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, or an Enfield? | ||
| Danger_dave |
Thanks No idea sorry - only know that it's a replica. Al's business is making them: http://www.militarytrophies.com.au |
