Article By: Roadside Marty
Photos By: Chris Callen
Originally Published In The November 2016 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
As you may know Harley Davidson has produced multiple engine platforms since their inception but what you may not know is that the 45” Flathead was the longest running production engine in the Motor Company’s history from 1924 to 1973. These motors and bikes were used in a variety of applications, everything from civilian to police. As well as the one use which gave them the nickname “The Liberator”. That was the WLA model which saw use from not only our military but our allies as well. It’s often been stated that our returning servicemen used their muster pay when they got back stateside to buy used and surplus 45’s because they had ridden them in the theater of war and wanted to ride again. In most cases, the bikes ended up just like this beauty right here. A style that’s known far and wide as a Bobber or bob job because most of the owners “bob cut” the fenders to not only look cool and different but to also lighten the weight to go faster.
Now, Rob Lations from Ol’ School Custom Fabrication is the lucky guy who owns this fine piece of Milwaukee Iron. He calls his small shop The Studio and he’ll tell you that he’s a proud Garage builder. About ten years ago he started to look around for a decent Flathead that he would either restore or fix up as a post war bobber. Now, that may sound easy but as most of us know finding old iron for a decent price is a lesson in patience. Fortunately, Rob has a few friends that own shops that specialize in Vintage and Early models. So, about six years ago he got a call from a friend asking if he wanted to come take a look at a bike he had come across. It turns out it was a lot more than he expected. It was a rolling chassis with all of the original parts in boxes. This was a real bonus because he didn’t have to chase down most of the hard to find pieces. Rob said the previous owner (who he believes was the original owner since 1951) had started to do a restoration but only got as far as rebuilding the motor. Rob’s connection who really knows the old iron told him that whoever did the motor did a fantastic job so Rob didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger and buy the pile. Rob was already overwhelmed at the time with other builds so he asked if his friend could get it together and running for him using most of the original OEM parts.
He rode it that way for a while before he started to make some changes. First up, he used an early Panhead hinge rear fender with the hinge section removed and a chain relief cut for the right side chain because he wanted to leave the original fender untouched. He said he had to make the rear fender bracket to fit but he’s happy with way it came out. The original pogo seat that came with the bike was starting to come unstitched and since he wasn’t concerned with doing a restoration he went with an early “clown shoe” seat from Drag Specialties which was made by a saddle company that makes equestrian saddles. Rob says it actually rides pretty decent. For the front fender Rob wanted to keep the bobbed look so he used an early Evo Sportster fender that he cut down to fit the springer. A set of Avon tires came with the original pile of parts but since the WLA’s came with Firestone Military spec tires that’s what Rob ended up with. These tires also happen to be one of the longest production run of tires that Firestone still produces. The frame still wears the original production paint from the Factory that was hand painted or “brushed” back then. As for the tanks Rob says he’s not sure if they are OP (original paint) but it’s a possibility since they have some small flaws that seemed to be pretty common back then even for new bikes. The Factory wasn’t as concerned about details like that as they are now. Other than a few adjustments here and there Rob says this little Flatty runs and rides like a dream and is one of his most dependable bikes. She’s also a crowd favorite, as if that’s a surprise. She usually wins either best of show or will place in the top three of any show he decides to put her in. Personally bikes like these are my favorite, a real piece of history that gets ridden regularly and its origins are truly the framework for the culture we all enjoy today! Thanks for sharing your bike with us Rob! Roadside Marty
The Liberator Tech Sheet
Owner: Rob Lations
Fabrication By: Ol’ School Custom Fab
City/State: Ipswich, MA
Year: 1951
Model: WLA
Value: More Each Day
Time: Work In Progress
ENGINE
Year: 1951
Model: H-D WL Flathead
Builder: H-D/Owner
Ignition: Kick Only, 6 Volt, Spark Adv
Displacement: Stock
Pistons: Stock
Heads: Stock
Carb: Stock
Cam: Stock
Air Cleaner: Stock
Exhaust: Stock
Primary: Stock
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1951
Make: Harley – Davidson
Shifting: Foot Clutch, 3 Speed
FRAME
Year: 1951
Make: Harley-Davidson
Rake: Stock
Front end
Make: Harley-Davidson
Triple: Stock-Springer
Triple trees: Stock
WHEELS
Front Wheel: Harley-Davidson
Size: 16”
Front tire: Firestone Military
Front brake: Stock
Rear Wheel: Harley-Davidson
Size: 16”
Rear tire: Firestone Military
Rear brake: Stock
PAINT
Painter: Harley-Davidson
Color: Red
Type:
Graphics: None
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Stock
Hand Controls:
Risers: Stock
Fuel tank: Stock
Oil tank: Stock
Front Fender: Modified Sportster
Rear Fender: Modified Panhead
Seat: Drag Specialties
Headlight: Stock
Taillight: Vintage Repro
Speedo: None
Photographer: Chris Callen