Although purists would definitely go into deep heebie-jeebies about our feature bike, a mildly customized 1945 Harley-Davidson 45-WL built by Gary Elswick of Elswick Machine in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, I’m certainly not one of them. I understand the rarity of this particular model, a civilian version of the 42-WLA Harley made for the U.S. Army, with only 1357 models built ($396 new) and who knows how many remaining, it’s a rare bird right out of the gate. But, that’s never stopped them being chopped and for that I am grateful. If you’re into Old School, there’s nothing like something that was originally built before Old School ever became an acceptable term. Nothing adds Old School authenticity like a custom bike built from 72-year-old bones.

    Besides the customizing aspect of one person’s version of what they think would make that particular model perfect in their eyes, it also allows them to correct problems and upgrade to their heart’s content. Needless to say, that’s exactly what’s happened here to this fun piece of frivolity in white. What’s there has been modified from stock and was probably missing some of the hard to find goodies that a complete restoration back to stock requires anyway. Gary was looking for his interpretation of a show bike that could and probably will find itself back on the road in limited use at least.

    The frame has not been modified beyond comprehension and keeps it stock dimensions so you can still see and feel the vintage vibe going on even with its cosmetic makeover. The basic running gear like the springer fork and drum brake wheels say 1940s, but many elements like that headlight that looks fit for lighthouse duty and the vast amount of chroming that should make any Russian chromium miner happy say show-bike custom. A quick glance will tell you the wheels are stock size, but the rims are modern and so is the rubber. It’s kinda stock, but far from stock at the same time.

     No Harley-Davidson 45-inch Flathead ever came from the factory looking so jazzed up and pleased with itself. Gary took all sorts of liberties when “restoring” the Flatty to finish off his engine with a blingy look all its own. I have to assume his bike has the new for 1945 optional aluminum heads as the polished fin edges would be tough to keep from rusting if it were steel and that’s pretty damn cool. Who doesn’t love early speed equipment? Personally, I find them more interesting than the latest and the greatest stuff even though I love the newest innovations too. Maybe that’s why I’m not the least bit upset about seeing a CV carb with a velocity stack protruding to the left side of the engine in true Harley Flathead style. It just looks cool. Same goes for the second shortest set of exhaust headers I’ve ever seen.

    The biggest visual changes other then the extensive chrome and obvious custom paint is the bodywork. The fuel tank looks basically stock although it’s wiped clean of any badges or trim work. The same can’t be said of the fenders as what’s there is Gary’s own flight of fancy. And what a flight it is with an exaggerated style of fenders you might not see anywhere else. They’re just this side of over-the-top and that’s just fine. After the paintjob, they’re the first things that grabbed my attention and they might not be the way I’d go, but I appreciate Gary’s idea of making something of a show stopper right there. Auto designers always say a design has to push the boundaries of what’s the norm and Gary’s done exactly that with those Sally Field Flying Nun fenders.

     Keeping it vintage real kept Gary from going the ape route with a set of bars that pretty much mimic what came stock although the billet grips were unheard of back in the day. Same goes for that seat although the pogo seat has its own style of simple leather covering and a slight reshaping. There’s still a set of footboards instead of forward controls but these are no rubber-covered stockers. Yup, billet again and that includes the kicker pedal too. The only thing I’m not sure of and I may just be showing my ignorance, is the tank shifter which technically should be attached to a four-speed tranny. When I checked out the shift gates it appears to be a three speed which should make it a Servi-Car tranny that also featured a reverse for obvious reasons. Somehow I doubt this bike has a reverse, but I could be ignorantly wrong.

   Where this bike really takes flight, though, is the startling, yet striking white paint job. There’s not a bit of pinstriping, decals, badging, logos, nothing, other than white paint. Combine the brilliant white paint finish with the generous amount of chrome and you’ve got an eye catcher of a custom show bike sure to dazzle the crowds. This bike knows where it belongs and it’s not on the lawns of Pebble Beach, but the custom bike show circuit and it makes no bones about it. It’s a custom through and through with no pretention of being a 100-point resto and that’s fine by me. As much as I believe that motorcycles each have their personality and feelings, I’d venture to guess that this is one very happy with itself 1945 Harley-Davidson 45-WL that’s happy to have a new refreshing look and outlook on life. It’s showtime!

For more info on Elswick Machine visit http://www.elswickmachine.com/or check ‘em out on Facebook.