Calling all ‘Wolamen’

Harley-Davidson’s WLA model celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, so Aussie enthusiasts – aka Wolamen - are being invited to mark the occasion with a special event, the ‘75th Anniversary of the WLA Harley-Davidson’, in NSW this April.

The now iconic WLA was first produced in small numbers in 1940, but the “birth year” for the WLA is officially recognised as 1942, as all versions produced after Pearl Harbor carried 1942 serial numbers, regardless of the year they were actually built.

As a militarised version of Harley’s 45ci civilian WL, the WLA added more carrying options (for items like radios and machine guns), changed elements like the air cleaner and crankcase breather, with the mudguards and lighting also modified.

More than 90,000 WLAs were produced during World War II and served in most theatres. After the war, many ended up in civilian hands – either still in military spec or “civilianised” - which kickstarted the custom and chopper movement.

The Australian ‘75th Anniversary of the WLA Harley-Davidson’ event is scheduled for Saturday, 1st April, 2017, at the Lakeview Hotel-Motel in Oak Flats (south of Wollongong on the shore of Lake Illawarra).

Billed as Australia’s largest gathering of Wolamen and their machines, the April event will consist of a big WLA bike display, including military (WLA and WLC), civilian and custom WLAs, and even the WLA-based Model G Servicar 3-wheelers. It’s not all WLAs, though: older and newer Harleys will be welcome, too.

There are a bunch of trophies on offer, covering all the WLA derivatives and also including Pre-War Harley, Rat and General Hog, plus a prize for the ‘Best Wolaman’.

A swap meet, biker’s fair, trade stalls, live music and entertainment are all scheduled, so it’ll be a packed day for WLA owners and enthusiasts to enjoy.

Accommodation at the Lakeview Hotel-Motel was still available as this issue went to press, but call (02) 4256 1822 to confirm availability.

For further event details, contact Brano on 0410 574 709.