BSA WM20

Hi John I'm not 100% sure on our movements for that weekend yet but, all being well, would you have room for a 1944 BSA M20 plus a family decked-out in 40's gear? Ps we're not all travelling on the BSA!

All sorted. My phone didn't like Facebook but my PC decided I could watch it. Having read the paragraph under the clip, doesn't Dave Beckett look just like Jack.....

Is a link available for us outnumbered non-Facebookers? --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?s02a3n

I'd like to mirror Gas 44's sentiment on what made a great event truly fantastic. I arrived on site Friday as a complete military vehicle newbie and far from knowing many A&E folks, I didn't know ANY A&E folks. Well, that's not stricly true as I'd previously met Rosie, but you get the idea... My BSA M20 was only finished a few weeks before so Friday was like my first day at school, but thanks to Pete, Kevin, Graham & Louise, I had a spot of on-the-job training which, I'd like to think, got me up and running. Saturday was what I like to call a Retirement Home memory, ie, when I'm sat in the old folks home smelling like a cross between Werthers Originals and my own wee, I can think back to the day I closed a junction/roundabout and then had to dart past 50 or so WW2 vehicles, tanks included, to begin the process all over again. While I'm on the subject, a big thanks to all for keeping left and allowing all of us on 2 wheels to nip past. Sunday was also not to be missed and seeing so many veterans certainly brought a lump to my throat and with a good number waving wildly at the bikes, I hope we did our best to keep the DR end up. My thoughts for this day go to the lady who collasped and was airlifted away and I do hope that her obviously tough spirits are still working hard - not only for herself, but for her family and friends also. Should the outcome be of a negative nature, which I sincerely hope it isnt, I hope that a small amount of comfort can be taken from the fact that she was flying the flag for all that she stood for and belived in and displayed true veteran spirit to the end. Dust wasn't an issue over the weekend but the only time I got a bit wet was on my way back from MNAW on Saturday night, but in true A&E spirit, we got a lift up the track courtesy of an A&E truck. The beer clouded my brain regarding names, but hopefully you'll know who you are. DR's came pouring in on Saturday and it was great to put faces to so many forum names and I hope to bump into you all at future events. What can I say about the cookhouse? Magicians those people - they must be. Even when I asked about numbers for Sunday night as I didn't realise I had to say whether I was staying or going, they told me it wasn't a problem and rustled-up a Spanish omlette. Absolute stars and doing a spot of pan washing and helping to take the tent down was the very least that I could do. Top marks But I'll stop waffling-on and finish-up with a big thank you to Jack. Red tape and 21st century regulations couldn't stop him from staging a WW2 event of this magnitude and I'm sure it's obvious to one and all that without him, our 70 year old vehicles would have simply spent another weekend in the shed/garage/barn/hanger instead of thundering past the hordes of waving people that lined the streets. But I'm sure the icing on the cake for him will be that he's now the proud holder of my military event cherry. We came, we saw and we ended-up with a hangover - what more can you want? Thanks again, Lee Davey.

I told my wife I'd be taking her away for the weekend where she wouldn't have to cook. It turns out she was picturing an exotic boutique hotel and I've just told her its a weekend at Maiden Newton in the caravan. There's no pleasing some people... --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?uvqina

Hi Graham I've used Lechler matt lacquer which, strangely, isn't quite matt but 20% of matting agent mixed with it gives the desired finish. Initially I masked a spray card and it's impossible to tell the difference between the lacquered and non-lacquered bits, which is what I was after. I've seen the paint on eBay but it is 2K iso and will need air fed equipment, etc when it's being used

Hi Garrison, Yours is looking good and I love it's markings. My Dad rode and instructed on British Despatch bikes during WW2 and I applied for his service record in the hope of mirroring his markings on my bike. Sadly, it's a 9 to 12 month wait but all being well, it'll be here soon. --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?jawqe1

Thanks for all the compliments, they're good to hear after the hours and hours of work. The work only started after thinking that I'd 'pretty up' a couple of bits... My pillion is keen to help further with the running in so, fingers crossed, we'll find time for another outing this weekend. And yes, hearing it fire-up for the first time in months is one heck of a feeling. --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?olwz2k

Apart from the toolbox, sump guard and a spot of fettling, the M20 is ready for A&E 2012. I'm a whopping 15 miles into my 500 mile running-in period which was helped by my 10 year old daughter acting as co-pilot this afternoon. All being well, the Jubilee weekend should see the other bits in place and a few more miles on the clock. Dorchester, here we come!

I'm a new-ish MVT member and wondered who's going to this event and if it's not a new one, what it's like? The BSA M20 should be back together by then...

Thanks Ian. After painting mine, I can't imagine how long your Maltese machine must have taken --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?xww1ev

Fingers crossed these tanks will need some company as there seems to be some light at the end of the spannering tunnel.

That's one serious project, Jamie. Being an MVT newbie, what is it? --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?uchbjv

Forgot to say, with the handlebars off and the pannier frames folded up, it'll squeeze through the kitchen door a treat. Fingers crossed.

Thanks chaps. I can't believe how many parts are painted on an M20 and with 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of colour and 2 coats of matt lacquer, that's a lot of paint. Just the headlight, rear mudguard, seats and pannier frames to go... Hi Ian, yes it's me and you're absolutely right about fasteners. I jotted down what seemed like a decent-ish list for just the engine and £20-odd arrived in a matchbox sized packet. I'm now thinking that the plating kit I bought for the studs/bolts/etc has saved a few quid.

I'm trying to convince myself that I'm on the home stretch with my M20 and wondered how everyone else was doing? My bike looks more incomplete than it really is and it's the rear mudguard repair that's stopping me from slotting the gearbox & back-end into place, plus I don't want to get oil on the dining room floor! 'Er Indoors wouldn't like that... The barrel/head/piston should be back later this week and then once the cases have been prepped, that can go back together as well. Heck!

The gearbox will be going in shortly, so it'll definitely be back in the garage. Shame though, I'll miss the tv whilst tinkering with the bike

It looks like I've only got a night or two next to my dear old M20, as when the wheels & mudguard are in, it'll be too big & heavy to get up the stairs. Having said that, it'll save a repeat of last nights anguish where the wife can't hear the TV over the banging and crashing from the bedroom above as I put the frame together. Going out into the cold garage will never be the same again...

And there I was, thinking it was just me who was flicking between forums :-D Lee Davey.

I can see 'em when I'm using Vista but not when I'm on XP. It's a mystery to me...

Not just you, it's happening to me as well!

Hi Rosie I'm Lee, married to Helen and we have Poppy & Charlie. We camp with the Cluetts at the IOW Steam Show and we bumped into you at Goodwood this year. I took my BSA M20 to the IOW this year. After seeing your Revivial outfit and the HMVF avatar, I thought you must be one & the same!

Please forgive the off-topic, topic, but Rosie, are you the very-same Rosie from the IOW Steam Show (August Bank Holiday W/E) and Goodwood Revival?

Nice one. Would you like me to book-in for the Saturday using the online booking form?

With tight budget constraints, the UK did their best to rival the USA's 1948 "Monkey into space" programme.