Hi all.

Thinking of buying a WL45. I've ridden and worked on a few and I like them.

Has anyone spent a few years riding one? How does reliability stack up against a shovel? How many K's can you expect out of a top end, and how many out of a bottom end??

 

         Thanks,

                        Rick.

Thanks Dave.

Hope you're well.

Here's the latest thing I've been playing with. The grin on our faces says it all...

 

Hey Rick,

Where are you thinking of getting one from? Bringing one over from the states?

Thanks heaps Dave. They're so much fun to ride, they put more of a smile on my dial than the Trike does.

Vladt, I haven't considered buying one from the states.

The owner of the sidecar in the pic above has one that he'll let me have for 12 grand. I only want to pay 10, so I guess it won't happen.

He has 70 bikes, brittish and american. He has a WLA, a WLC, a 1951WL with a sidecar pictured above, and a 1942 WL. The 42WL is the one I can buy, and it's probably the best of the ones he has.

I work on his bikes for nothing, but I get to ride what ever I want. Everything needs fixing before I can ride it round the block without braking down and pushing it home.

I've done a fair bit of work to the WL in the pic above. I machined the top and bottom of the heads, replaced the valves and guides, honed and re-ringed it. I re-built the generator, replacing the outer casing. The carby needed a new float bowl, new float, new needle and seat, new gaskets and seals. The barrels needed several helicoils, as did the engine cases. There were several nuts and bolts missing from important places. For example, the rockers on the front end didn't have any nuts on them. The fuel tank needed a new fuel tap assy, and the fuel tank has a slow leak that needs welding. One of the heads has a large diameter steel insert around the spark plug. The insert is tight in the head when the engine is cold, but when it warms up, it comes loose and the spark plug and insert wobble around in the head. I have a replacement set of heads coming from the states. Cast iron heads will give it more torque, which will suit the side car.

He bought the above WL for 30 grand. I've done the above work on it for nothing other than about a grand in parts and helicoils etc. They're not cheap to buy anymore.

        Thanks again,

                                Rick.

I tell you what Rick, I almost wish you get the 45 you want so that you can author another one of your write-ups.
I've read your "shovel" story at least half a dozen times. Every time I am stuck with a problem and feel like just paying someone to fix it, I read your write-up. Hahaha. Seriously man, 12k for an original 45 isn't a tall ask. (It's no bargain either I guess).
Where are you located? (would love to see your "nuts" in person one day).

By the way, there is a fairly good WLA45 on American ebay. (see link below)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280629934663&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I've only recently brought a 52 Panhead from the states, so if you need any import info, I have it fresh..

Good luck
Vlad

Thanks Vlad, I might PM you when I get a minute.

No probs mate.
Any time.

A complete WLA for 4k - Chopaweeza mate, if you ever see one of those deals, please shoot me a PM.
I've never seen them sell so cheap.

top deal that was, as I have lots of love to give

Anyway, too busy now getting my 52 pan to run. Although there is always room for one more girl in my garage. UL or ULH would be even better.