2008 LOTM - 1942 Harley-Davidson XA
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Army Harley-Davidson model XA.
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About the author
Author Name
Dwight Domonkos
Author Bio
Dwight is a longtime motorsports and motorcycle enthusiast. He's been riding full-time since the early 1990's (but he did borrow a few friends' bikes for a quick trip to the grocery store in his younger days.)
Dwight is a Roadcarvin.com co-founder and serves as editor and photographer, and manages business development.
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I have recently purchased
I have recently purchased a 1942 xa and would like any info available.
HD/XA
congratulations on finding and XA! I wish that I could find one so I am writing to say that if you decide to part with yours for whatever reason, please contact me. Thank you and good luck.
Gus.
Harley XA
Hello; I am now 67. When I was 17 years young I purchased a 1941 XA for $35.00. It was laying in a Highway ditch. Broke down. I rebuilt the engine and the driveshaft. I rode this monster for 3 years to Highschool every day. The coldest day was -15 degrees.
The pistons measured to be similar to a Ford 85 engine. I bought 2. and the rings. The only difference was that the Harley had 2 oil rings that the ford didnt. They worked fine.
The valves were similar to a International H tractor. They worked fine.
The roller bearings in the drive shaft were same as used on machinery driveshafts, so I found some from local John Deere dealer.
In 1959 I enlisted in the Army and I sold it for $100.00. Boy am I sorry I done that.
This Motorcycle was made from Plans that was stolen from Germany during WW2. The U>S> made 1000 of these and labeled them a Dessert Model, so I heard back in 1957.
The fenders had a very high clearance and the luggage was very heavy. I now ride a Valkyrie, But I would sure love to have my XA back. Oh buy the way-- It sounded like a Farmal tractor when it was running and I had Meg straight pipes on it. Great Memorys Have fun Keith
Bought an XA completely restored out of australia w/ sand wheels
Arriving in the states in Late September. How many arond have the solid hub sand wheels - is that a hard item to get the XA with?
DaninNM
1942 XA
my father had one of these and I recently found the spare parts list booklet....any interest?
XAs
Most people I've met with an XA, really enjoy them. They were a special addition to the Harley Davidson motor company in 1941-42, although Harley Davidson never took any credit for the design. They were a special order, built under a US General Patton for the US Army North African campaign. They were designed for desert warfare. They were two inches higher off the ground than the WLA 45 cu.in. chain driven model. The Harley XA was designed for extra ground clearance. It incorporated a two inch longer springer front fork, the first sealed beam headlight, a centrifugal distributor, not used on civilian Harleys till 1965, 14mm sparkplugs, not used on civilian Harleys till 1949, the first direct 4 speed footshift, and hand clutch, the only drive shaft driven, the first production with rear shocks. Civilian Harleys didn't have shocks until 1955 for the K Model, and 1958 for the big twin models, the only model with twin matched Linkert carburetors. It had two 2.2 gallon fuel tanks. One tank to get you there, and one tank to get you back. That was a good idea for the desert. About 200 were produced with solid disc wheels. The throttle was on the left hand side to allow your right hand to discharge your weapon.
After the war, surplus WLs and WLA 45 cu.in. motorcycles were sold surplus NEW in the crate for approximately $50 each. I have a transfer of title from the military for one of my XAs sold September 9 1944 for $588. People ask me what there worth? They cost $1000 each to produce, when you could buy a new Harley 45 WL from the dealer for $247.
I own two XA models. One military and one that was civilianized by a dealer. I had both of them invited to, and participated at, Legends of the Motorcycle in 2008.