Only one of two two American cycle manufacturers survived the Great Depression. Harley-Davidson was the one, produceing large numbers of motorcycles for the US Army in World War II and resumed civilian production afterwards, producing a range of large V-twin motorcycles that were successful both on racetracks and for private buyers.
On the eve of World War II, Harley-Davidson was already supplying the Army with a military-specific version of its 45 cubic inches (740 cc) WL line called the WLA. (The A in this case stood for “Army”.) Upon the outbreak of war, the company, along with most other manufacturing enterprises, shifted to war work.
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