WW 2 Harley Davidson Motorcycle WLA Military

WW 2 Harley, WLA, motorcycles

[@ScoutSniper3124]

I have an old photo of my Dad riding a '47 Indian Chief jumping a small hill shortly after coming back from WWII. I cherish that photo, mostly because he's grinning from ear to ear without a care in the world. Before marriage, before us kids, and have just survived the worst war in history.

[@markwinchester3005]

Cool story. I envy you.

[@1x93cm]

that training mustve been the most fun thing ever

[@lastride9159]

Incredible footage.

[@GodInTheMachine]

Besides a naked woman this is the coolest thing I've ever seen

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

My father was one of these guys during WW2. Before the war, when he was just 15, he rode Indians and Harleys all over the country during the depression looking for work mostly because they were cheap transportation. After boot camp, because of his experience, he taught trainees carburation and riding skills until he shipped out to Europe. After the Normandy Invasion and the breakout at Saint Lo he was attached to the 3rd Armored Division. He was one of the guys that welded steel teeth on the front of Sherman tanks so they could break through the hedgerows

[@RCASSIN]

Do you have pictures?

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

@@RCASSIN Yes, I have one of him working on a WLA in a field motor pool that he said was taken sometime after the Normandy Invasion, but before the Saint Lo breakout so it was somewhere close to Utah Beach where he went in on D-3. I also have a picture of him in uniform sitting on what looks to be an Indian Chief but not Army equipment. It was taken before he shipped out to Europe. Probably somewhere around Atlanta or Tullahoma where he was stationed. He liked Indians better then Harleys cause he said they were faster. I also have a picture of him sitting on an Indian Scout in 1942 before he went into the Army. You are probably only interested in the wartime photos though.

[@RCASSIN]

@@retiredguyadventures6211 Cool! I would love to see them...,

[@laurentlaussucq1464]

These men makes rodeo on dusty road and off roads with kind of machine don't built for that ! Respect !

[@marcusanark2541]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@benjaminmoogk3531]

This seems to be a re-cut version of “Motorcycle Training” done at Merton Park. The sound track is identical, although footage has been swapped out to make it more American. A few shots still show motorcycles with Canadian Army markings.

[@leporebryan]

You're absolutely correct. This is a clip out of the motorcycle training. Not that this is mine but I've seen the original.

[@stanfischer6175]

Rigid frames, foot clutches, hand shift, kick start - back when bikers were men!

[@johnson1257]

Motorcross still has those.

[@deepakpatil9352]

And now they're just boys and no men

[@fikriasrofi5312]

Offroading with rigid 👍

[@Portrayalpress]

Rob - hope you are rebuilding your WLA weekly per this film!😂

[@RCASSIN]

Ha, only when the engine blows!

[@CEIAKI]

すげ～！これでオフロードて…でも当時は当たり前ですね。

[@solehbandung5974]

I love bsa

[@alexanderschmidt9397]

This is a Canadian training film! the engine sounds are from a British Norton 16H, as used by the Canadian Army in big numbers, also many Indians in the clip! great stuff.

[@RCASSIN]

What makes you thin they are Canadians? thanks, Rob

[@RCASSIN]

Ok, well I say this is 100% US film from 1941 BEFORE the 42 WLAs came out, probably at Fort Knox. These uniforms are in NO WAY Canadian and are from the same period with cloth head protectors and black ties. Canadians has their own crash helmet based on the British model. Note headlight location above horn, lack of mil air cleaner, luggage rack, and blackout lights that came with the 42 WLA. Notice the UL sidecar in the beginning and the Indian on the left with the horn and suspensiuon about 4:30. US officer with US overseas cap and collar insigina at the end.

[@alexanderschmidt9397]

The footage is certainly US, but the comment is Canadian, and is adapted, from another film, will try to find it.

[@alenaaguilar7113]

+Alexander Schmidt Its American

[@leporebryan]

This is a original clip out of the Canadian training. They just cut this section out to make it seem American because they did use the same training videos for Canadians and Americans at the time.

[@arthurn9237]

WELL MOSTLY HD 45" BIKES BUT THERE IS 1 WHICH IS ALL I COUKD SPOT 1 INDIAN 45 LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN WITH HORN ABOVE HEAD LIGHT HARLEY WAS BELOW 😉

[@charliebrown4624]

WLAs had the headlight below the horn., and some of those bikes were Indians.

[@stephenbrouillette4541]

Even their asses were made of iron. Wow.

[@102ndmpfrg]

Where in the world do you find this footage? Would love to find WLA training video to show during shows next to my WLA.

[@RCASSIN]

The USA National Archives. You have to go through a lot of info to find the good stuff. Where are you located ?

[@tsw_instinct4169]

Robert Cassin would you know if I can find my great grandpas picture with his Harley WLA on the national archives ?

[@herosdiaz8757]

Probably the only Harley I'd ever wanna buy XD

[@jasperrasper2392]

Great video....would be nice to see a modern 2015 motorcycle pass them on the highway...where are the time travelers when you need them...lol

[@DutchGamers]

old motorcross

[@GMCBigBlock420]

When the men were men, and the women were happy about it!!

[@rozegaming8672]

Us army jahil unconcious