WLA shift gate screw finish

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nitpicker
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WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by nitpicker » Tue Jul 14, 2020 6:44 am

Using Mr. Palmer's excellent book as a reference, I read the shift gate screws for a type III should be parkerized finish. I think all types are listed as having parkerized screws on the shift gate.

When I look at the factory photos in the book, the screws on all types appear to be OD painted. I also have an original take off tank with shifter gate still attached with painted screws. I think I'm inclined to paint the screws on my type III. What do you all think-painted or parked??

Neal


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jeep-a-holic
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Re: WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by jeep-a-holic » Tue Jul 14, 2020 7:34 am

Neal,
It’s very difficult to tell with factory photos. A bolt can look black or green depending on the light. One question to ask, were the shift gates attached before or after painting? Since the bikes didn’t get a touch-up paint coat, that I’m aware of, most likely they are parkerized but just photographed in bad light.

Just my $0.02

Sean


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1942 Stinson L-5 (0-62) Sentinal 42-98323 (under restoration)
1943 Harley-Davidson WLA Type V USA 691171
1944 MB S.N. 343955 D.O.D. 6-22-44
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Johan WILLAERT
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Re: WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Wed Jul 15, 2020 12:21 am

I've painted them based on this photo…
4SCWLA.jpg
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
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nitpicker
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Re: WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by nitpicker » Wed Jul 15, 2020 7:13 am

Thanks for your input guys. I think I'll paint mine...

Neal

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Re: WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by blackcat77 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 9:20 am

Hello;
For me, the screws are well painted in OD, we can see it of course some photos from Mr PALMER's book.
Regards;
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Re: WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by OLDABEWLA » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:33 pm

I purchased some nos shift gate screws and they are parkerized from the package this doesn't mean it left the factory this way but I study some factory photos and they look paint and parkerized both I just wonder if it the light at certain angles with the dull finishes make them look painted?
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Johan WILLAERT
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Re: WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Thu Jul 16, 2020 12:36 am

No doubt Bruce Palmer is correct for the finish of factory supplied parts, but once a bike was used it might have been different....

I have personally seen complete NOS wheels which had either parkerised spokes or spokes painted OD...
Also I've come across complete crated front forks which were all OD, springs, shackles and hardware included…

Look at the color photo I posted above and note the round head screws holding the rear Luggage rack to the fender.... Look painted OD to me....

That being said, it remains indeed very difficult to establish the correct finish from (B/W) photos….
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

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Re: WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by donk_316 » Thu Jul 16, 2020 2:13 am

I painted mine OD also as original tanks had the shift gate installed before being painted. Atleast that is what i found when removing an original shift gate from a gas tank, it was .... black? primer underneath.
GPW 112092 04-30-43 USA 20372531 (orig)

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Re: WLA shift gate screw finish

Post by Evgeny » Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:53 am

I had several tanks in good condition. on all tanks, the space under part 2208-40n was painted in the color of the tank. So the tank was first painted without this part. The back wall of this part also had the color OD.


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