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Billy-Gumbo

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Posts posted by Billy-Gumbo

  1. Just adding to the thread, my brother and me are intending to be at Normandy 2014 (for the first time!) but we will both be Matchless mounted (his G3L, mine G3WO). Unfortunately mine is in civilian trim, done by the Egyptians after WW2, and I'm too idle to re-militarise it until a full rebuild/restoration is required. Don't worry, I'll hide at the back! ;)

  2. Glen

     

    Advancing the ignition makes absolutely no difference to the strength or intensity of the spark. It just means that it sparks at a different time in relation to where the piston is in the engine cycle.

  3. Like Stefano, I 'd like to hail Mr Madden. It's kinda erie to have real live text on my PC from someone who I rate as a WD motorcycle "God". Sorry if this seems a little OTT Steve but I have a very new, very cherished copy of your book and to see you providing information dynamically here, on the James ML, is quite humbling, not least because I really want one! And a Matchless G3WO as well!

  4. Hi Stefano, I've only just joined HMVF today as I'm interested in a James ML. I've followed all your postings and I have to say that I am completely amazed and gobsmacked by all the work that you have done. Due to modern replacement materials and better machine tollerances it is obvious that your ML is actually better than new! And, without the niggle of combat, should last much longer than the original life expectancy!

     

    Obviously, once you have completed it and enjoyed your work, your attention will be drawn to another project. It is then when I'm selflessly willing to drive to Italy and take it off your hands in exchange for some Euros so that you can devote your fullest attention to the new project! No, don't thank me, I provide this dedication with no thought of praise! I'm just willing to provide a loving home for little James back in "Old Blighty".

     

    Well done, mate. A superb job. :angel:

  5. Hello everyone, This is Billy-Gumbo. We are brothers, I'm Billy and my brother is Gumbo, or dumbo if he's not listening!

     

    We have a shared interest in all classic vehicles and machinery from traction engines up to the early 1970s. Our favoured area is motorcycles and we have three each and one shared "project". We also enjoy motorhome camping (we have one each) and through-out the show season you'll usually find one or both of us camped for the weekend at one rally or another.

     

    We're mainly Matchless "specialists" as Bruv has a 1940 G3L in military trim and a 1964 G2 CSR, whilst I have a c1939 G3WO that was ciivilianised in Egypt after the war and a 1961 G2. I also have a small Excelsior from the immediate post-war period that some wag has dressed in military trim.

     

    Bruv has a superb classic Bedford camper van and my wife and I have a superb US RV. If you see an RV with the Matchless legend on the spare wheel cover, that'll be me!

     

    Since discovering, three years ago, that my G3WO is welcomed at War & Peace even though its in civilian trim, has opened new doors for us as we can now attend classic military vehicle shows as well as the usual steam and transport rallies.

     

    Also, I'm quite taken with the James ML (military lightweight) motorcycle and I am seeking to purchase one when I can find one with a reasonable price tag and not a telephone number price! As you will know (?) James motorcycles were bought out by AMC in the early fifties and so, since then, they are all part of the famous Matchless clan.

     

    Anyway, enough about me. This forum seems a good place to look for a James ML and whilst doing so I can amuse myself with the wealth of intersting knowledge and detail that this forum provides. Cheers :red:

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