This page records my progress with the restoration of my 1941 Harley-Davidson WL - this H-D was used by the Union Defence Force of South Africa in World War 2. The SAUDF acquired around 4,500 motorcycles from the US War Department mid-1940 and they were used in the East Africa Campaign, the Madagascar Campaign and the North Africa Campaign.
Sunday, 24 January 2016
Luggage Rack is from 1941
Saturday, 23 January 2016
Parts for the Speedometer Restoration have Arrived
Hi
I have ordered a bezel and the gaskets for the Speedometer from Speedo_Rat on eBay - the parts have just arrived.
Luggage Rack Restoration
Hi
I have already had the luggage rack in the rust remover. This morning I will sandblast it and it should go into the paint booth this afternoon.
Thursday, 21 January 2016
Wheel Restoration Part 2
Good morning
I have dismantled the rear wheel as well. Some of the parts were a bit rusted and I have been using the Rust Remover to get rid of the rust. I hope to have the rust removed by Saturday.
This Saturday I want to sand the hub, spokes and rim and get it ready for painting. I might not get to a point where I can paint the parts - that might only be done next Saturday.
Once I have painted the parts, I will take the wheels to a guy to re-spoke and properly true the wheels. That will allow me to put some new rubber on the wheels.
I have dismantled the rear wheel as well. Some of the parts were a bit rusted and I have been using the Rust Remover to get rid of the rust. I hope to have the rust removed by Saturday.
This Saturday I want to sand the hub, spokes and rim and get it ready for painting. I might not get to a point where I can paint the parts - that might only be done next Saturday.
Once I have painted the parts, I will take the wheels to a guy to re-spoke and properly true the wheels. That will allow me to put some new rubber on the wheels.
Sunday, 17 January 2016
Wheel Restoration - Dating the Rims
Morning.
Yesterday we sanded the rims to get rid of the last bits of rust. I noticed a punch mark on the rims and read up on it. According to Bruce Palmer, both rims of my WL were manufactured in JANUARY 1941! Here are some photo's.
The photo of my WL rim indicates:
Yesterday we sanded the rims to get rid of the last bits of rust. I noticed a punch mark on the rims and read up on it. According to Bruce Palmer, both rims of my WL were manufactured in JANUARY 1941! Here are some photo's.
The photo of my WL rim indicates:
- that the rim is a Kelsey-Hayes rim made in the USA;
- that the rim was manufactured in 1941 (the 41 stamped to the left of the rim size);
- that the rim was manufactured in January (the 1 stamped to the right of the rim size).
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Wheel Restoration Part 1
Hi
Most of the frame, engine and gearbox parts have been restored and have been fitted to the motorcycle. My attention in the next week or three will be to fully restore the wheels.
The first step in this restoration process is obviously a total dismantling of the wheels. Here is a photo of the front wheel dismantled.
The rest of the process will be as follows:
Most of the frame, engine and gearbox parts have been restored and have been fitted to the motorcycle. My attention in the next week or three will be to fully restore the wheels.
The first step in this restoration process is obviously a total dismantling of the wheels. Here is a photo of the front wheel dismantled.
The rest of the process will be as follows:
- Sandblast all of the parts;
- Paint the rim and hub in the desert khaki colour;
- Install new stainless steel spokes;
- Fit the brake and axles parts, ensuring that the play on the axle bearings are exactly right;
- Fit the wheel to the bike.
Saturday, 9 January 2016
Friday, 8 January 2016
Fuel Tank Restoration (Part 3)
Thursday, 7 January 2016
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Fuel Tank Restoration (Part 2)
Hi
I have cleaned all of the rust from inside and outside the fuel tank with the rust remover. The stuff is amazing! I then used a wire brush on a drill to clean the metal. For the difficult-to-reach parts (where the gas shut-off valve screws into the tank, as well as, the indents in the tank) I used a Dremel tool. I then cleaned the tanks with a clean rag soaked in thinners and sprayed it with a primer. Sounds easy, but it took about 8 hours to do.
Here is a photo of the fuel tank before I laid on the grey MS Primer.
I have cleaned all of the rust from inside and outside the fuel tank with the rust remover. The stuff is amazing! I then used a wire brush on a drill to clean the metal. For the difficult-to-reach parts (where the gas shut-off valve screws into the tank, as well as, the indents in the tank) I used a Dremel tool. I then cleaned the tanks with a clean rag soaked in thinners and sprayed it with a primer. Sounds easy, but it took about 8 hours to do.
Here is a photo of the fuel tank before I laid on the grey MS Primer.
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
Sunday, 3 January 2016
Rear Fender Restoration
Saturday, 2 January 2016
Fender Restoration (Part 7)
Hi.
I have just painted a etch primer on the areas that I have cleaned of rust and I have put the rivets back.
Next up is the final painting.
Here are some photos.
Primary Cover Restoration (Part 1)
Hi.
I have cleaned the paint and rust from the primary cover and I have also repaired a small tear in the metal.
Next up is a coat of primer.
Fender Restoration (Part 6)
Hi.
After I have grinded all of the rust off, I noticed a small tear in the metal. I will repair this with a weld before painting with the etch primer.
I think that you will agree with me that the rust have been removed properly?
Friday, 1 January 2016
Fender Restoration (Part 5)
Hi.
I am nearing the end of the rear fender restoration. I have drilled out the rivets holding two of the mounting brackets in place.
This will allow me to clean the rust out and to put the final coat of paint on the fenders.
Here are some photos.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)













