---
title: "The 5 Best 1940s Harley Davidson Bikes"
slug: "the-5-best-1940s-harley-davidson-bikes"
description: "Discover the 5 best 1940s Harley Davidson bikes, including the iconic 1949 Hydra-Glide, 1947 Servi-Car, and military models like the WLA and XA."
pubDate: 2019-07-19T00:00:00.000Z
canonical: https://bobberbrothers.com/pages/the-5-best-1940s-harley-davidson-bikes/
---
The 1940s marked a significant era for Harley Davidson, showcasing some of the brand's most iconic models. These motorcycles were not just about performance; they became symbols of design and innovation, helping Harley Davidson solidify its place in motorcycle history.

## 1. 1949 Harley Davidson FL Hydra-Glide

The 1949 Harley Davidson FL Hydra-Glide stood out for its cutting-edge design and comfort. The introduction of the 'Hydra-Glide' front forks replaced the previous leading-link forks, providing superior travel and comfort. This model was powered by the 'Panhead' engine, which had been introduced the previous year in 1948 and represented a major innovation for Harley Davidson.

<img src="/images/blog/inline/35b3a75f-6b87-4462-abec-bba3ef662823.webp" srcset="/images/blog/inline/35b3a75f-6b87-4462-abec-bba3ef662823.webp 480w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" width="480" height="264" alt="1949 Harley Davidson FL Hydra-Glide" loading="lazy" decoding="async">

## 2. The 1947 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car

Designed for use by auto repair shops, the 1947 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car was a unique motorcycle that could be used for towing and servicing vehicles. This model gained fame for its versatility, even being adopted by the Milwaukee Police Department for parking enforcement duties.

<img src="/images/blog/inline/f9d7cb3d-1277-4739-bed4-177618cdc08f.webp" srcset="/images/blog/inline/f9d7cb3d-1277-4739-bed4-177618cdc08f.webp 480w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" width="480" height="272" alt="1947 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car" loading="lazy" decoding="async">

## 3. Harley Davidson XA Motorcycle

During World War II, Harley Davidson developed the XA motorcycle, specifically designed for military use. The XA featured a shaft-driven rear axle and a unique design suited for the rigors of military service. Harley's military motorcycle history did not end with WWII - the [Harley-Davidson MT500](/pages/harley-davidson-mt500/), a 500cc Rotax-powered bike built for British and Canadian forces in the 1980s, continued that tradition decades later.

## 4. 1942 Harley Davidson WLA

The Harley Davidson WLA was widely used during the Second World War. Known for its ruggedness and reliability, it became a staple of the U.S. military, with many units seeing action on the front lines.

<img src="/images/blog/inline/8299d432-6de6-4d19-83a2-8ea37cf95ebc.webp" srcset="/images/blog/inline/8299d432-6de6-4d19-83a2-8ea37cf95ebc.webp 480w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" width="480" height="263" alt="1942 Harley Davidson WLA" loading="lazy" decoding="async">

## 5. 1948 Harley Davidson FL

The 1948 Harley Davidson FL brought numerous updates to the design and engine. This year marked the opening of a new engine production facility in Wisconsin, further solidifying Harley Davidson's commitment to quality and innovation.

<img src="/images/blog/inline/d4dab50e-a82b-402b-9f38-7b34b6e78385.webp" srcset="/images/blog/inline/d4dab50e-a82b-402b-9f38-7b34b6e78385.webp 480w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" width="480" height="275" alt="1948 Harley Davidson FL" loading="lazy" decoding="async">

## Sources

- [Rider Magazine - 1949-1957 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Retrospective](https://ridermagazine.com/2011/08/15/retrospective-harley-davidson-hydra-glide-1949-1957/) - detailed history of the Hydra-Glide's hydraulic fork innovation
- [HowStuffWorks - 1947 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car](https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1947-harley-davidson-servi-car.htm) - Servi-Car history, police use, and technical specifications
- [Silodrome - The Harley-Davidson XA](https://silodrome.com/harley-davidson-xa/) - WWII flat-twin military motorcycle history and specifications
- [Harley-Davidson - During World War II](https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/content/stories/harley-davidson-during-world-war-ii.html) - official WLA and wartime production history
- [Lowbrow Customs - Motorcycles Built for War: 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA](https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/blogs/events-features/motorcycles-built-for-war-1942-harley-davidson-wla-flathead) - WLA Flathead Liberator production details
- [National Motorcycle Museum - 1948 Harley-Davidson FL](https://nationalmcmuseum.org/2021/10/15/1948-harley-davidson-fl/) - Panhead engine introduction and specifications

*If you want the bigger Harley picture, our [Harley-Davidson history guide](/pages/harley-davidson-history-guide/) walks every engine, model, and era from the founding to current production.*

*Wearing it means something. Our [Built Not Bought line](/collections/all/) is for Harley riders who back their builds with original gear.*

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