1948 Harley WL custom

1948 Harley WL custom motorcycle owned by Patrick Heselmans
This lovely 1948 Harley WL from Belgium has been completely rebuilt, right down to the transmission. Owner Patrick Heselmans gave the bike a new top end, with the intake manifold and cylinder heads spending time on the flowbench in the search for more power. Heselmans enlisted a friend to revise the cams, and the traditionally unstressed Harley 45ci motor now runs an increased compression ratio of around 6:25 to 1, sucking through a 34mm Mikuni carburetor. The bike now has a Mallory ignition—it’s been converted to 12V and runs a small battery—and uses an old bicycle light for illumination. Heselmans has made lots of other little changes throughout, giving this WL a period racer look. The wheels have gone up to 18” from the stock 16”, and there are some smaller accessory parts from the renowned Belgian custom builder Fred Krugger. Heslemans reports that the bike will top 90mph—and starts with one kick. Head over to Rocket Garage for a terrific image gallery. [Photo © Werner Heselmans.]


4 Comments

  1. mingh said:
    Wednesday 9th December, 2009 at 1:38 pm | Permalink

    i’d love to come across that one here in BE. With those pipes i’m sure to hear it long before i see it…..

  2. Thursday 10th December, 2009 at 12:56 pm | Permalink

    I think I’d be deaf within 100 yards :-) Nice bike though, goes well with the orange, always wanted a blue one but might have changed my mind.

  3. Thursday 10th December, 2009 at 12:59 pm | Permalink

    Also that’s a new tread pattern / modern rubber on it isn’t it? Quite like the look of old bikes on new boots :)

  4. mingh said:
    Friday 11th December, 2009 at 6:05 pm | Permalink

    it’s for sale

    http://www.2dehands.be/motoren/motoren/harley-davidson/harley-wl-1948-66896512.html?motor_bj=oldtimer&start=21

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