Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson recently designed five World War II era replica motorcycles for the new movie Captain America: The First Avenger, which hits theaters July 22. One of the five motorcycles and other items from the movie are currently on display at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Marvel studios approached Harley-Davidson in 2010 and worked out a deal to have the company supply the five motorcycles. The film traces Captain America’s origins as a World War II-era Super Hero who rode a military motorcycle as a means of transportation. Salvaggio Automotive Design of Port Washington, Wis., modified the current day Harley-Davidson® Cross Bones® model to resemble an original 1942 WLA Army motorcycle. Harley-Davidson produced close to 70,000 WLA motorcycles during World War II.
Three of the bikes were used in stunts and two, which will eventually become part of the Harley-Davidson Museum’s permanent collection. Some other parts were recreated to make the motorcycles look as authentic to WWII as possible. The paint was matched to the 1942 olive drab and a white star was placed on the gas tank as a finishing touch. Marvel Studios added a flamethrower and machine gun assembly, true to the original Marvel comic book.
