A Lifetime in Motorcycles – the 1945 Harley That Started It All | Season 5 – Episode 27
Wheels Apr 04, 2025
THE FIRST BIKE
Any biker will tell you that there was always a “first bike”—that legendary machine from childhood that ignited a passion for motorcycles and the open road. For Wayne Power from Waterford, that bike was a 1945 Harley-Davidson WLC, a machine he first encountered as a very young child.
Fast forward a few decades, Wayne is now Manager of the Harley-Davidson dealership in Waterford, working with a team boasting over 150 years of combined bike repair experience. Together, they are restoring the very bike that sparked Wayne’s lifelong journey in motorcycles.
Kevin Reid from Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport spent a morning in the Waterford Harley-Davidson workshop, chatting with Wayne about this remarkable 1945 Harley-Davidson WLC and its deep personal significance.
WATERFORD HARLEY DAVIDSON
For over 30 years, Harley-Davidson has been part of Waterford’s story. Founded in 1987 as Hog Hill Custom Cycles by Lenny Burns, it became an official dealership in 2004—the same year current manager Wayne Power joined as an apprentice. Today, the dealership employs ten staff and specialises in sales, service, and custom builds for Harley models from the 1930s to today.
MILITARY HARLEY DAVIDSONS
The bike that Wayne and his team are restoring was originally built to military specifications, reflecting Harley-Davidson’s long-standing tradition of supplying motorcycles for the war effort. During both world wars, Harley-Davidson supplied motorcycles to the U.S. military, gaining recognition with a 1918 photo of Corporal Roy Holtz riding a Harley past captured German soldiers. Captioned “The first Yank to enter Germany,” it boosted Harley’s brand and later helped secure WWII contracts. However, the photo didn’t tell the full story—Holtz had been captured behind enemy lines the day before and was riding back to U.S. forces after his release, not leading the advance. Still, it made for great advertising!
WAR PRODUCTION
Anticipating war, Harley-Davidson began producing WL 750cc bikes in 1936. After the Luftwaffe destroyed Triumph’s Coventry factory in 1940, Harley sent 5,000 WL bikes to England. Soon after, the U.S. Army requested a rugged solo motorcycle, leading to the development of the WLA (‘A’ for Army).
The WLA, a militarised 750cc side-valve twin, featured lower compression and aluminium heads to prevent overheating. Upgrades included larger bearings, a stronger gearbox and clutch, and an improved oil pump, prioritising low-end power over top speed. A 5:1 compression ratio ensured reliability, allowing it to run on 74-octane petrol, though fuel quality improved during the war.
The Harley engine produced 24hp with a 3-speed hand-shift transmission and foot-operated clutch. A large air filter on the Linkert carburettor ensured reliability in harsh conditions. Tubular forks were lengthened by 2.75 inches (7 cm) for better ground clearance, and a sprung pan saddle improved comfort. Wartime WLA models received upgrades like metal leg shields, crash bars, a bash plate, a rear rack, blackout lighting, a dust proof air filter, leather panniers, ammunition box, and a fork-mounted Thompson submachine gun scabbard.
Harley also made the WLC for the Canadian Army, and this is the model of bike being restored by Wayne and the team at Waterford Harley Davidson. Differing from the WLA spec, this bike features a left-side foot operated clutch and gear shift, and a front mudguard-mounted box. A later WLC variant, built to British specs, added a handlebar clutch, first aid box, and interchangeable wire wheels.
The military-spec WLA/WLC was first produced in small numbers in 1940, with the U.S. Army ordering 421 WLAs, followed by two more orders totalling 2,451 bikes. After the United States entered World War II in December 1941, production increased significantly, according to the “Archive Collection” (2008), published by Harley Davidson, the company built 60,437 WLA models in military and civilian specification between 1940 and 1945, as well as another 17,823 WLC sidecar versions.
Harley-Davidson resumed WL production in 1946, but surplus WLA/WLC parts remained, enough for 30,000 bikes. Until the mid-1950s, surplus models with military fittings sold for $450. Many were customised by returning servicemen, sparking the chopper trend and the growth of biker culture.
WLC IN WATERFORD
The exact history of this Harley-Davidson WLC remains uncertain, but it’s likely that it was purchased at an army surplus auction in England during the 1950s before making its way to Waterford City in the 1970s. However, its true legacy lies not in its past service, but in the role, it played in inspiring Wayne Power’s lifelong passion for motorcycles—ultimately leading him to a career with Waterford Harley-Davidson.
In our next episode, we’ll catch up with Wayne as he details the restoration work needed to bring the 1945 WLC back to life. Stay tuned for more updates on this incredible rebuild.
If you have an idea for a story on Irish transport, please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
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Sources of information and Photo Credits:
ClassicMotorcycle.co.uk
The Encyclopaedia of The Harley Davidson – Peter Henshaw & Ian Kerr
The Harley Davidson Motor Co. Archive Collection by Randy Leffingwell & Darwin Holmstrom
Triumph Owners’ Motorcycle Club
Ultimate Harley Davidson – Hugo Wilson
Yesteryears.nl
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