Harley Davidson military motorcycle model 42 WLA-solo (civilian models WL & G 1940-1952). Operation and maintenance manual - page 2
Servicing Air Cleaner
With motorcycle in normal use on hard-surfaced roads, clean and refill
air cleaner oil cup at least each time engine oil tank is drained and
refilled. Service more frequently under dusty conditions; daily under
extremely dusty conditions.
To service round type cleaner:
Loosen oil cup clamp band thumb screw, remove oil cup and baffle,
thoroughly wash and clean oil cup and baffle and refill oil cup to
indicated oil level with same grade of new oil used in engine.
In reassembling, observe that oil cup gasket is in place and be sure oil
cup and baffle are properly seated against gasket and secured to cleaner
housing. Careless assembly is likely to result in an oil and air leak
between cup and cleaner housing and possibly a lost cup.
Occasionally, at time of servicing oil cup, complete cleaner should be
removed from motorcycle and immersed for a time in a bucket of gasoline
or kerosene (or available solvent). Cleaner element, which cannot be
removed from housing, must be thoroughly flushed to wash out accumulated
dirt. After flushing dry thoroughly (use an air hose if available) and
apply a few squirts of engine oil to inside of cleaner element, using
oil can.