Please Note: Information regarding these museum display vehicles was provided by the National Military History Center and has not been independently verified by Auctions America by RM ("AA"). As such, AA does not verify, warrant or guarantee any of this information. Prior inspection and research by the buyer is highly encouraged and recommended.
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Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Production Year: 1942
Engine: Harley-Davidson HO, 45.04-cid, side-valve, 23-hp, air-cooled, two-cylinder, gasoline
Transmission: Four-speed foot-change gearbox, shaft-drive
Brakes: Mechanical
Length: 90-inches
Width: 36-inches
Height: 40-inches
Weight: 525-pounds
Armor: None
Armament: NONE on this example – does have holster - Typically one Thompson .45 caliber M1928A1 or M1A1 submachine-gun in a front fork-mounted holster
Maximum Road Speed: Approximately 65-mph
Markings: US Army, North-African sand paint scheme
The Harley-Davidson 42XA was a limited production model introduced in 1942. The 42XA was a reverse engineered copy of the German BMW R-12, an example of which had been captured in North Africa. The horizontal flat-twin engine was a dramatic change from the proven V-twin design featured on all previous Harley-Davidson civilian and military motorcycles. The flat-twin engine had side valves and twin carburetors. The air cleaner went on top of the gearbox housing, which was bolted to the rear of the crankcase, and the transmission featured the foot-change and transverse kick-start pedal, both on the left, as on the BMW R-12. A German style driveshaft and handlebar mounted clutch lever, both on the right side, were also copied from the BMW R12. The frame was a tubular cradle with telescopic rear suspension, but the front featured the standard Harley-style leading link forks. A hydraulic damping unit was added to the right fork leg. The 42XA had Harley-style footboards with aft-mounted footrests plus heat shields behind the cylinders. The 42XA displayed features oversize tires and disc wheels that were unique to the desert version. The flat-twin engine needed frequent oil changes. Approximately 1,000 42XAs were built during WW II.