Speaking of Boxer Engines

Many people are not aware that Harley Davidson produced a 750cc Boxer Engined motorcycle in 1942. 

Harley was supplying the WLA to the Army,
(W= flathead W series 45 Cubic Inch, engine family)
( L= High Compression)
(A=Army (there was also a WLC C=Canadian)

The U.S. Army captured and tried the BMW motorcycle, they found it to be smoother, and quieter so they had Harley design and build a Boxer powered motorcycle for them.

Harley Davidson produced the 750cc XA and XLA motorcycles.

While the Army bought the WLA and the XA  models (including XLA), most never saw service. The idea was for motorcycles to be used as scout vehicles as they had been used in previous military endeavors, but the Willys jeep had come on the scene and because it was so versatile, most Motorcycles were parked in military depots, and after the war auctioned off.

Had Harley continue with the boxer engine and dropped the V twin it is most likely the Company would not exist today. When hard times came in the 60's and 70's it would have been just another motorcycle company like the European and Asian motorcycle companies, and would not have had the following that saved the companies life. Harley was saved by passion, and while companies like BMW, Ducati, Triumph and Honda have a passionate clientele, Harley would most likely have been considered nothing more than a similar supplier. But that vibrating, noisy, leaking V Twin had heritage, and a signature all it's own, more than that, it was a Survivor and it was American patriot that would not be deserted by those who rode them.