WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

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SteveG
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WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by SteveG » Sun Aug 18, 2013 2:44 pm

Well, it's been a good 5+ years in the making, with many things happening in between, but my trailer to haul Lucky and Karen is finally done!! My son and I designed it to look like a trailer that might have been shop built on an Army post during WWII. Those are 1936 Chevy wheels (a trip to a local wrecking yard would have provided those back then...) and all the hardware is WWII GI. The guys building this trailer during the war, would have gone to Supply and got some pieces they needed to build this trailer. The D-rings are Ben Hur trailer, the grab handles are Jeep, the reflectors are King Bee No. 295's and the tail lights are GI (we used two stop lights for a bit of modern safety!)

The markings on the trailer are for a Demonstration Regiment stationed at Ft Knox during WWII. This unit would have gone to other posts to demonstrate the use of the Harley WLA to new GI's. The 41 WLA "Lucky" is also marked for the Armored Force School at Ft Knox. These markings were hand lettered by an "old school" lettering guy and done to look like they were put on back then. You can see the brush strokes in each letter. Thanks to Johan Willaert and AZ Jeff for their help with those!

The gray WWII tool box you see on the deck belonged to my friend's dad who worked at Hammer Field AAF Base, here locally, refueling WWII aircraft used for training at that base. It was gray when I got it from my friend, after his Dad had passed away and it looked to have spent it's life that way, so I repainted it that color and had his Dad's name lettered on the top, as a tribute to his Dad. I carry my motorcycle tie-down straps and other securing items in it. The straps that secure the tool box and the Gerry cans were made for me by my friend AZ Jeff Quirin from original WWII webbing and hardware. Thanks Jeff!

My son is a fabricator by trade (one of two that I use for my projects) and he formed the all the channels, made the spare tire carrier, hitch, landing leg ( a copy of a WWII Spen USMC/Navy leg) and all the rest of the pieces you see, except the diamond plate deck and the fenders. His quality and welds are superb. The paint is 34087 for the trailer and 33070 for the hardware. Thank you, Keenan, for a beautiful trailer!

To keep the deck height low on the trailer, we used a torque-flex axle. This allows easier loading than an axle with leaf springs.

I used modern ratchet straps, but had OD nylon straps made and replated the ratchet mechanisms in black zinc to tone them down from the bright silver color they're made in. I know these aren't period, but the protection of my bikes dictates that they be used.

The wiring harness was made by Vintage Wiring of Maine. I still need to hook up the intervehicular cable to the truck. The canvas covers to protect the front frame rails and tie down outriggers were made by Raymond Meldrum at American Patrol so the stones thrown up by the truck won't chip up the finish.

The 1941 Dodge WC-6 is mine. I'm very aware that the markings aren't correct for this truck, but this is the way I bought it from a friend years ago. I want to paint it and put the pre war markings on it some day, but it hasn't been on the priority list yet....

Needless to say, I'm excited to get these pictures finally done and get the bikes and trailer out to be seen. It seemed like I would never get this project done! Thanks to all those who helped this idea become reality!!

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Last edited by SteveG on Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:38 pm, edited 7 times in total.


AZ Jeff
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by AZ Jeff » Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:03 pm

The trailer looked great in person... now even better hooked up to the C-C. It's just a shame you're not a perfectionist Gregorious... :wink:

Jeff Q.
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Phil H
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by Phil H » Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:18 pm

Steve, very nice and great work.
Phil
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1941 WC11 Dodge
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SteveG
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by SteveG » Sun Aug 18, 2013 7:32 pm

Thanks Jeff and Phil! The Lucky bike was named for me.....

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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by Lib45 » Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:41 am

It looks very nice Steve, although I hope the WLA's won't be just trailerqueens... :wink:

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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by GPA2196 » Mon Aug 19, 2013 10:37 am

Beautiful work!

Tony
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Robbby84
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by Robbby84 » Tue Aug 20, 2013 12:45 am

GREAT!!!! :o
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SteveG
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by SteveG » Wed Aug 21, 2013 6:17 am

Thanks guys for the kind words.

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Johan WILLAERT
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:19 am

Turned out great, Steve

Glad to have been of help...

Johan
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by Saddle Tramp » Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:15 pm

Quote, [To keep the deck height low on the trailer, we used a torque-flex axle. This allows easier loading than an axle with leaf springs.]

Hi,

Can you please explain the above? Or better still, post some pix?
That is a great set up, so lucky to have all that precious tin!
I`m very envious, just a jeep and one WLA!
I`ve had the plans for something similar drawn on my garage floor for a few years, and all the pressed section a`la bantam trailer size.

I did consider using something we call indespension units, like this, to keep the height down, are these similar?
http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.47244265 ... =1&pid=1.7

Cheers

Tim

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SteveG
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by SteveG » Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:42 pm

Tim,
Thanks for your kind comments. The torque flex axle is the same principle as what you have pictured on your link. It's tension loaded internally to resist load and road bumps, etc. That keeps the deck low and easier to load the bikes. I was able to order the axle to the length I wanted and even had electric brakes put on it for when I have it connected to my modern vehicle. The adjustable lunette allows for the hitch height of whatever vehicle is towing it. This keeps the deck level too.
Steve

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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by Saddle Tramp » Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:18 am

Thanks for the reply, but I would still like to see some pix of the under carriage.....
Is it made up like a bantam trailer chassis?

Tim

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SteveG
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by SteveG » Thu Sep 19, 2013 8:21 am

Tim,
Will this do it for you? The second one has my shadow in it....
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by Saddle Tramp » Thu Sep 19, 2013 11:29 am

Thanks for the pix.
That looks as good underneath as on top.
The suspension looks similar to what we get over here in the UK.
Is it bolted to that crossmember?
Its a great looking rig, very envious

Tim

Ps, shadow looks great, I've got 2! Got more time for dogs than folks these days!

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SteveG
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Re: WWII Harleys go for a ride!!

Post by SteveG » Thu Sep 19, 2013 1:29 pm

The axle is welded to the frame. My son's MIG welds are like ribbons of toothpaste, so there's not much chance of anything breaking loose. My shadow's name is Frankie. She's actually my youngest daughter's dog, but she loves to hang out in the shop!


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