Today in Harley History

MARCH 23, 1942

On March 23, 1942, Harley-Davidson announced that it would discontinue the sale of 45 cubic-inch solo models to its dealers. Like other manufacturers during World War II, Harley-Davidson shifted much of its production toward supporting the war effort. During the war, Harley-Davidson produced approximately 60,000 WLA models for the military and converted the Service School into the Quartermaster School to train military mechanics. From 1941-1946, motorcycle models did not change and, due to the many shortages brought on by the war, even paint was hard to come by. It was very difficult to purchase a new motorcycle even if one had the means to do so. Most motorcycles produced during this time were sent to the Army and production for the general public often came in second.