I have recently purchased a 1942 xa and would like any info available.

Arriving in the states in Late September. How many arond have the solid hub sand wheels - is that a hard item to get the XA with?

DaninNM

my father had one of these and I recently found the spare parts list booklet....any interest?

Most people I've met with an XA, really enjoy them. They were a special addition to the Harley Davidson motor company in 1941-42, although Harley Davidson never took any credit for the design. They were a special order, built under a US General Patton for the US Army North African campaign. They were designed for desert warfare. They were two inches higher off the ground than the WLA 45 cu.in. chain driven model. The Harley XA was designed for extra ground clearance. It incorporated a two inch longer springer front fork, the first sealed beam headlight, a centrifugal distributor, not used on civilian Harleys till 1965, 14mm sparkplugs, not used on civilian Harleys till 1949, the first direct 4 speed footshift, and hand clutch, the only drive shaft driven, the first production with rear shocks. Civilian Harleys didn't have shocks until 1955 for the K Model, and 1958 for the big twin models, the only model with twin matched Linkert carburetors. It had two 2.2 gallon fuel tanks. One tank to get you there, and one tank to get you back. That was a good idea for the desert. About 200 were produced with solid disc wheels. The throttle was on the left hand side to allow your right hand to discharge your weapon.
After the war, surplus WLs and WLA 45 cu.in. motorcycles were sold surplus NEW in the crate for approximately $50 each. I have a transfer of title from the military for one of my XAs sold September 9 1944 for $588. People ask me what there worth? They cost $1000 each to produce, when you could buy a new Harley 45 WL from the dealer for $247.
I own two XA models. One military and one that was civilianized by a dealer. I had both of them invited to, and participated at, Legends of the Motorcycle in 2008.