c1938 Harley-Davidson WLDR 750cc Motorcycle

Description

Harley-Davidson's 45-inch twins date back to October 1927, when the new side-valve 'flathead' motor was first unveiled to the public, with sales commencing a year later. The Model D's new unit was essentially two 21-cid singles sharing a common bottom end, with a three-speed transmission and a frame similar to the one lungers of the day. Sales were somewhat lacklustre and Harley-Davidson quickly responded with a new frame and other improvements to lure buyers, the heavily revised Model R boasting new crankcases with better lubrication, alloy pistons and an even sturdier frame. Answering the challenge of Indian's Sport Scout, the 45-inch baby 'flathead' underwent further change in 1937, adopting the styling and many of the mechanical features already seen on the new Knucklehead. Designated the W in Harley parlance, the new model also came with roller bearings in the bottom end, one-piece cam gears, stronger gears in the transmission and a new shift mechanism. Particular attention was paid to the lubrication system, with an upgraded oil pump adopted along with cooling fins on the timing case cover and left-hand side of the crankcase. In addition to the standard W, the model range consisted of the WS sidecar, plus high compression WL Sport and WLD Special Sport versions. Harley-Davidson also offered a production racer, the WLDR, for Class C category events for amateur riders using bikes delivered with full road equipment, with raised compression and larger valves. Priced at $380, the WLDR developed 29 horsepower at 5000 rpm. San Jose Harley dealer Tom Sifton tuned one such bike for racing and his rider Sam Arena enjoyed huge success against the Indians, with Harley adopting many of Sifton's improvements and and this in turn ultimately led to the factory's own WR racer of 1941.