1940 – 1949 Harley Davidson
In 1940 Babe Tancrede is the winner at the Daytona 200, riding a WLDR model.
In 1941 America is plunged into World War II. Production of civilian motorcycles is almost entirely suspended in favor of military production. The Service School is converted back to the Quartermasters School for the training of military mechanics.
The FL series premieres in 1941.
In 1942 H-D produces the unique XA 750, a motorcycle with horizontally opposed cylinders and shaft drive, designed for desert use. The contract is cancelled early due to war combat moving out of North Africa. Only 1,011 XA’s are built.
in 1943 Harley-Davidson receives the first of its four Army-Navy “E” Awards for excellence in wartime production. Overseas, many American servicemen get their first exposure to Harley-Davidson motorcycles, something they would not forget when they would return stateside.
In 1945 World War II ends, and Harley-Davidson has produced almost 90,000 WLA models for military use. Wasting no time, production of civilian motorcycles resumes in November.
In 1946 Harley-Davidson introduces the 45 cubic inch flathead WR racing motorcycle. It proves to be one of the best racing motorcycles ever built.
In 1947 the attendees at the year’s Dealers Convention in Milwaukee are given a train ride to a “secret destination,” which turns out to be the newly purchased plant on Capitol Drive. The plant was formerly the A.O. Smith Propeller Plant, created during the war. Harley-Davidson uses the plant as a large machine shop, shipping the new parts to Juneau Ave. for final assembly.
New features in 1948 are added to the 61 and 74 overhead valve engines, including aluminum heads and hydraulic valve lifters. Also new are the one piece, chrome plated rocker covers shaped like cake pans. The nickname “Panhead” only seemed logical.
In 1949 Hydraulic front forks first appear on the new Hydra-Glide models.
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