BEHIND THE SCENES: WLA Motorcycle – The Steel Liberator in Bricks

When designer Blue first heard the words "military motorcycle," his mind didn't race through modern designs or sleek silhouettes. Instead, it settled on an old soul—the Harley-Davidson WLA, a machine forged in history, not just metal.

A Bike with a Story to Tell

The WLA isn't just another motorcycle. During World War II, it earned the name "Liberator," serving as a trusted companion for reconnaissance, communication, and light transport across Europe. After the war, thousands of these bikes returned home, many finding new life as the foundation for civilian customs—helping shape the very DNA of classic Harley-Davidson culture.

Blue didn't set out to replicate every bolt. He wanted to capture what the WLA stood for: endurance, freedom, and quiet resilience.

The Devil—and the Soul—in the Details

For Blue, building with bricks isn't just about shape—it's about spirit. And spirit lives in the small, often overlooked details.

The Seat That Took Days

What looks like a simple cushion became one of the most stubborn challenges. It had to curve just right, suggest a rider's posture, and stay firmly attached. Blue's desk became a graveyard of failed attempts—seats that looked graceful but wobbled, or ones that held strong but felt heavy and out of place. It wasn't until he found the right balance of curve and connection that he finally exhaled. Yes. This is it.

The Skeleton That Refused to Stay Built

The roll bars—the bike's defining frame—were both a visual signature and a structural nightmare. Blue refused to simplify or omit them. "They weren't just tubes," he says. "They were character." But building them lean and strong from bricks tested his patience to its limits. Time and again, a nearly finished frame would collapse at the slightest touch. Each failure sent him back to the drawing board, chasing that fragile line between elegance and strength.

Touches of a Story

He also tucked small narratives into the build:

- A lidded box on the front left, imagined to hold maps or tools

- A shovel and rifle mount on the right, ready for the unexpected

- Classic saddlebags that open, as if carrying essentials for a long, uncertain journey

Listening to the Build

Early testers noted some instability around the engine—when lifted by the fuel tank, the engine part would shift. Blue revisited the internal connections, reinforcing the layout without altering the exterior silhouette. 

The result? A model that feels as solid as it looks.

Why the WLA Still Rolls On

This isn't a model about speed or spectacle. It's about legacy. The WLA helped define an era—and the Harley-Davidson identity. In brick form, Blue has given that legacy new life. Not as a perfect copy, but as an honest tribute.