Harley-Davidson XA 1942 Type 1 - Military Army Vintage

HARLEY DAVIDSON XA (type 1)1942

LOOKS TO HAVE NEVER BEEN RESTORED

VERY GOOD THROUGHOUT

LOCATED IN UTTOXETER

VIEWING WELCOME

33500 MILES

During WWII. the U. S. Army asked Harley-Davidson to design a specification of a motorcycle much like the BMWs used by German forces. with shaft drive. a boxer engine. and several other features that made the BMWs exceptionally reliable and low-maintenance machines. Harley was already producing the WLA. based on its traditional 45-degree V-twin but the army specifically wanted the one feature that the WLA didn't have: shaft drive. So the company produced the XA. whose engine and drivetrain were based on the flathead BMW R71 (1938-1941) versus the overhead valve (OHV) BMW R75 (1941-1946). 1000 XAs were produced for evaluation. By the time production had begun. it was clear that the Jeep was the Army's general purpose vehicle of choice. No more XAs were ordered after the initial order of 1000. The less advanced but cheaper WLA (88. 00 produced) was considered sufficient for its limited roles. by using BMW technology. the XA initiated a host of improvements which would not be seen on postwar H-Ds for years or even decades. Its rear plunger springing was Harley's first ever rear suspension. and the XA Type II (a later model than this. although all XAs are nominally 1942) introduced Harley's first ever telescopic forks.

Production 1942 Assembly Milwaukee. Wisconsin. USA Class

Military motorcycle

Engine

45 cu in (740 cc) SV flat-twin

Bore / stroke

3. 063 in × 3. 063 in (77. 8 mm × 77. 8 mm)

Compression ratio 5. 7:1 Top speed 65 mph (105 km/h) Power

23 hp (17 kW) @ 4. 00 rpm

Ignition type 6 V battery and coil. o distributor Transmission 4-speed foot shift Frame type tubular steel double cradle Suspension Front: leading link fork
Rear: plunger Brakes Drums front and rear Tires 4. 00 x 18 Wheelbase 57. 5 in (1. 60 mm) Fuel capacity 4. 1 US gal (15. 5 l; 3. 4 imp gal) Oil capacity 2 US qt (1. 9 L)