Used 1948 Harley-Davidson Classic / Vintage
WL "45" Flathead A
<p>Harley Davidson WL with Goulding Rocket sidecar.</p><p>Harley-Davidson's first flathead V-twin appeared in 1929 as the Model D. Its 45-cubic-inch engine was smaller than the company's existing 61- and 74-cubic-inch F-head V-twins, which then became known as "Big Twins."</p><p>They later switched to a flathead design the following year, but those larger engines were neither as reliable nor as long-lived as the under stressed "Forty-five."</p><p>Though the Forty-five was no powerhouse, it proved to be a versatile engine that remained in production for more than four decades.</p><p>During that time it served duty not only in street motorcycles, but also in three-wheeled Servi-Cars (1933-1973), military WLAs of the 1940s, and WR racing bikes of the 1940s and 1950s.</p><p>By 1948, the Forty-five was powering a street model called the WL. It looked very similar to Harley's Big Twin flatheads of the era, the most noticeable visual difference being that WLs had their drive chains on the right side of the bike, while Big Twins had them on the left.</p><p>Though 1948 would prove to be the final year for Big Twin flatheads, the WL lasted through 1951</p><p>110 years ago James Goulding made his first sidecar in Melborn Australia .In 1920, James decided to introduce his product in America. He did this with a 12,000 mile tour of the U.S. using a 1917 Harley "J' Model 1000cc with his sidecar. One part of this tour was a transcontinental run from New York to San Francisco. Goulding became the factory supplier to Harley Davidson and Indian and became the largest producer of sidecars in the USA. The Goulding Rocket sidecar was the most futuristic sidecar in the 1940's. The Goulding brackets are made specifically for the Haley WL series, making it the ideal sidecar for this motorcycle. There is nothing more stylish than a Goulding sidecar attached to the streamlined 1948 Harley. </p><p>This motorcycle is highly original, with few or zero reproduction parts, it has received only a repaint of the sheet metal some years ago. The title indicates this motorcycle has a little over 12,000 life time total miles. It starts on one or two kicks, it is a pleasure to ride, the sidecar tracks straight and true. Yes, it could be restored to the next level but in our opinion it should be preserved just as is. This bike has been in the personal collection of our owner John Landstrom since 2009. This is the first time it has been offered for sale. Call John for details 770 447 6945 x 20</p>
