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An authentic US military motorcycle used in WWII, the 1942 WLA Harley-Davidson, has found a home in Puhoi.
“Oh I can’t tell you that,” owner Peter Kamphuis says when asked how much it cost.
“I’ve had it for seven or eight years after buying it from some bloke in Auckland who sold it to finance his daughter’s wedding.”
The US Government had Harley-Davidson make the WLA models at the end of 1941.
According to Hagerty Drivers Club, more than 88,000 were built between 1941 and 1945.
Peter says his favourite part about the bike is the history and purpose behind it.
The bike has a foot clutch and a hand gear change, and there are only three gears. The front has a sheath for a gun and enough luggage space for a 40lb radio. A plate is fastened underneath the bike, so soldiers could tip it over and shield themselves from bullets.
“It’s sad that it was used for war but because it’s a WWII bike, I appreciate the engineering of it.
Peter is unsure of the bike’s top speed. He says the Harley mainly stays in his barn on a display trailer, but he does bring it out sometimes for shows put on by the Hibiscus Rodders.
“I don’t know of any others in New Zealand and, as far as I know, there is only one in Australia.”
Peter is a big fan of Harley-Davidsons and also owns the 2003 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 100th anniversary bike.
“Now that’s the one I take out for rides!”
