Le Prof

Hi Mike @ferretfixer

Thank you for your reply.

R54799 has now been included. (-: Below are some other known survivors in the same s/n area. There's not much variation, since this is really the final and standard pattern ofthis bike.

Original markings are a rarity, and several of the ones close to yours don't have them any more.

This is R57543, which clearly has the white Patent N°.

But has had the piled rifles erased

Full details here:

https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/ww2-bsa-paratrooper-bike.167290/

You seem to have a choice on the piled rifles.

R53105 is slightly before yous, and in near NOS.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bsa-paratroopers-paratrooper-british-440653139

Slightly later is R57773, which claims to be (and looks) NOS.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bsa-paratroopers-paratrooper-british-454042430

If I come across any Grip suppliers, I'll let you know.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi @Enigma

Thank you for your reply.

R48XXX would be a 1943, and slightly over mid production. The latest S/N known so far is R77527.

Numbers I have listed close to yours are:

Quill is the correct technical term for the bracket that attaches the handle bars to the steer tube (A ).  Really, I'm interested in the bolt that the tommy bar on the handlebar is attached to (C). I think I will change this heading to Tommy Bar, thanks.

Diagram: Park Tools.

Here is an early Tommy Bar, there is some variation in welding, and only the first 4 or 5000 bikes have this style.

Photos: John Neuenburg

Standard type:

The 'Angle Iron brackets look like this, again, an early feature, and seen on the first  2 to 2500 bikes.

Cast type look like this:

Thanks,

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi Chris @sirhc

Thanks for sharing your number, I appreciate it.

I make that R21005. Here's a screen shot to give you an idea of what I'm doing:

The points recorded above are the serial number, the frame tpe (early twin tube, or later single tube), the original colour, (brown or green), the colour of the undercoat (almost always black, one red example)), the frame hingre (most are cast metal, the very earliest are angle iron), the wingnut (most are smooth, a small number BSA marked), the tommy bar on the handlebar nut. Early ones are welded onto the nut, later, most common 'standard' go through the nut.  And finally, the pedal arm reinforcement. Erly ones are just straight (No), later ones have a boss on the arm end to help support the pedal peg.

If you can supply any of these details it will be further help, thanks.

Your bike is a quite early single seat tube (so called second pattern) version. The early ones were painted brown, and yours is bracketed by original brown ones, but is within 100 frames of a known original green, so it could have been brown originally, or one of the first green ones of the second pattern.

The serial number has the characteristic oversize 2 used at this point.

It would have the early pedal arms with no boss.

It also occurs just before a very small number that were fitted with BSA marked wingnuts on the frame

BSA marked wingnut, cast hinge.

Photo Credit, Enigma. Later pedal arm with boss to support pedal peg.

If I can help further, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi @Enigma

 As mentioned on the other thread, I'm currently compiling a serial number, detail change for these bikes, and have araond 250 listed at this time. It may be that I already have your serial number, but if you'd like to share details succh as the seril number for inclusion, please let me know,. By PM if you prefer.

Now Stuart Bray Motorcycles has closed, do you know where I can obtain the reproduction grips and transfers?

Thanks for your help.

Best Regards,

On 11/18/2022 at 3:38 PM, ferretfixer said:

OK, so Regarding the humble BSA para bicycle. I have a couple of questions.

1, The decals on these Bikes. Should they be: A, White. B, Gold. C, All Black? Clarification appreciated.

Also, Can a Bike be 'Dated' when Manufactured, via it's Serial Number?

Thanks in Advance. Para bike Affectionardo's!  👍

Kind regards: Mike. 

Hi Mike, @ferretfixer

I cant't directly answer the Transfer question. Are you referring to the 'piled arms' logo?, if so, I have owned both gold on an early bike, with brown paint, and silver (white?) on a later green bike. 

For manufacture, if the number is below R13000 ish, then probably 1942, above that, probably 1943.

I have asked myself similar questions in the past, and about a month ago decided to do something about the lack of information. I have now collected some 250 serial numbers and bicycle details, and have a better understanding of the variations in frame, colour, wingnuts, serial numbers, pedal reinforcements etc.

I intend to publish this freely soon, but you can see some of the results on thses links (I use the name Mercian on the site).

https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/first-pattern-bsa-paratrooper-bicycle-register.216089/

https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/second-pattern-bsa-paratrooper-bicycle-register.216098/

If you would like your bike included in the listing, or would like me to send you pictures of unrestored examples close to your serial number, please let me know the number (by PM if you prefer).

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi @hummermark

According to (and with credit to) BODC : http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/27615-Consolidated-List-Of-Containers

The B167 was:

Size: Length 21.75" Breadth 9.5" Depth 9.35"

Source RAOC Statistics 1943 Pamphlet No. 2

Used for:

3" QF Howitzer HE 4 rounds
Number Packed: 4
Gross weight: 90 lbs
2" ML Mortar HE fuzed
2" ML Mortar sand, dummy fuze
Number Packed: 18
Gross weight: 68 lbs
2" ML Mortar MkII
Number Packed: 18
Gross weight: 59 lbs
2" ML Mortar Bomb Thrower, Smoke
Number Packed: 18
Gross weight: 62 lbs
2" ML Mortar bursting fuzed
Number Packed: 18
Gross weight: 65 lbs
2" ML Mortar Signal Red
2" ML Mortar Signal Green
2" ML Mortar Multi Red
2" ML Mortar Multi Green
2" ML Mortar Multi Red and Green
2" ML Mortar Multi White
Number Packed: 18
Gross weight: 45.75 lbs
2" ML Mortar Illuminating with parachute
Number Packed: 18
Gross weight: 43.5 lbs
Grenades No 69
Number Packed: 34
Gross weight: 44.25 lbs
Grenades No 77
Number Packed: 34
Gross weight: 45 lbs
Smoke, No. 21

2 pr., A.P.C.B.C., with tracer

the B167A was used for:

Source RAOS Vol 2 Pam 10 1951

Cartridges QF 2 pr mk 9-10A guns HE
Number Packed: 9
Gross weight: n/a
Cartridges QF 2 pr mk 9-10A guns HE
Number Packed: 12
Gross weight: 69 lbs
Cartridges QF 2 pr mk 9-10A guns HE/T
Number Packed: 9
Gross weight: n/a
Cartridges QF 2 pr mk 9-10A guns HEAP
Number Packed: 12
Gross weight: n/a
Cartridges QF 2 pr mk 9-10A guns AP
Number Packed: 9
Gross weight: n/a
Cartridges QF 2 pr mk 9-10A guns AP
Number Packed: 12
Gross weight: 75.5 lbs
Cartridges QF 2 pr mk 9-10A guns APCBC
Number Packed: 9
Gross weight: n/a
Cartridges QF 2 pr mk 9-10A guns APCBC
Number Packed: 12
Gross weight: 80 lbs

BestRegards,

Adrian

Hi All,

The tanks seem to survive remarkably well. The last post on this topic shows one seen recently on a farm.

Best Regards, Adrian

Hi, @Cel

I couldn't find the patent, but it appears to be late (very late) Victorian. That is also the style of the Coat of Arms.

The company appears in The Automobile Pocket Book of 1900 as a maker of Safety Guards.

Information from Graces Guide.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Translation for @juan carlos rodriguez, above.

"Hello looking for information I found this talk from 2016. I have a TRW 500 and I also have many ignition problems. My bike arrived (until it stalled) but it didn't go well at high revs. Now no boot. I'm adjusting the ignition and the first problem is locating TDC, because the spark plug hole coincides with the exhaust valve and I can't get to the piston there. How is the method you have used?

The second problem is that my motorcycle does not seem to have the automatic advance mechanism coupled to the ignition pinion (pinion number 11 in the official factory exploded view). Without automatic advance it is impossible for the bike to work well at high revolutions. Do you know any place to find this mechanism for sale? Thank you"

Hi All,

just to add the pouch has now arrived.

It's a little bigger than expected, the pouch itself measuring 8 inches by 5 inches. 

The snaps are also larger than expected, and a different deign to the 'Glove snaps' of the WW1 first aid pouches, etc. 

The stamping on the front is 

TRUCK N°____

but with no sign of a number having been written or stamped on.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi All,

I aquired this pouch last night, it's still in the post, so I can't show you anything more of it yet.

The non eagle glove snaps make me think 1917-18, and they may have patent dates inside confirming that.

It's not a modified first aid or Squad medical record pouch, so I'm guessing it's a vehicle records pouch, unless someone here knows more?

Best Regards,

Adrian

@Rootes75 @jeff77blue

Hi @Jordan1992

Are you able to provide a photo, or other information?

Thanks, 

Adrian

Hi @Jerryjeeprichard

I'm not sure if you saw a thread I'd started on a British water trailer I'd seen in southern France:

These are the only photos I have, from Google earth, since it is by the roadside.

Since it is different in construction to yours, I guessed that it was the 100 gallon tank mounted on a Mortar trailer chassis.

I'm no expert in this, so, was I right, or is it a varient of the 100 gallon trailer? 

Thanks for your thoughts.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi All,

and Clé, or Clef Anglaise in French (-:

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi, here is a list of the Little Ships with some details of their actions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_at_Dunkirk

Sadly, both Aidie and Fossa were lost on their first trip out, so were unable to recover soldiers.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi @Matt W

More information here.

http://michaelhiske.de/Allierte/USA/OrdnancePamphlets/OP1665/Part05/Chapter03/Figure236.htm

@Bryan C is quite correct. 

Sorry to have sent you up the wrong path.

Best Regards,

Adrian

On 6/1/2022 at 9:52 AM, Morris C8 said:

     

2Pdr sinks into the sand. Veh pier De Panne. [ not a bike just rags  ] Photos from my collection.

 

Hi @welbike

@Morris C8 mentions it's 'not a bike, just rags'.

I spent a little time looking for it too, until I spotted that. (-:

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi @owl86 John,

Thanks for the update.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi All,

I've had several requests as to the whereabouts of the above trailers. So far, I've not replied (Sorry).

As a general response, covering most of the questions asked:

I don't know if they are for sale.

It's about 900km from Calais. and about 350km from where I live.

It's a rural area, so I would guess any communication is most likely to be in French.

I may be in that area next in August.

I would rather not act as an 'Agent' to purchase them for someone else (the logistics are a bit too much for me).

No, I cannot store them for later pickup.

I have no idea what the post Brexit importation requirements are.

Considering the replies above, if you would still like to know where they are, please recontact me.

The above may seem a little negative, but it's important to be realistic about these things.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi @Paul23

And Welcome.

I can't help directly, but suggest that you put your request in the Motorcyle section where it will be seen by knowledgable people.

https://hmvf.co.uk/forum/16-motorcycles/

I would also suggest uploading a few photos of your bike, if you can, since that makes it easier for people to spot the things you may not know about or describe. It's also more interesting that way (-:

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi, All.

Postcard taken at Gent, Sint Pieters Station.

It's not possible to get exactly the same angle, there's a tramway in the way.

Hi all,

I was pootling around the middle of France at the weekend, and came across something I've not seen in years. At a garage next to the main road wereWW2 trailers. I was not able to stop to investigate, but had a look on Google Earth later, and evidently they've been there for at least 10 years.

The pictures below are from 2021, but it appears unchanged now.

The pictures below are from 2010

To me, it seems to be a Bantam/Willys type trailer (or one of the other clones), and a British lightweight water tank mounted on a Mortar trailer chassis. I have no idea about the third trailer in the older photos.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi @Matt W

Since you've had no replies so far, here's my guess:

I think it's a data plate from a British Ordnance QF 6 Pounder Airborne, Anti-Tank Gun Mk.IV on Carriage Mk.III, built 1941.

Perhaps ask the same question in the Artillery & Anti-Tank Weapons section to get more views, and see if I'm anywhere near the correct answer.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Hi @ow186 

Excellent, thank you. (-:

Best Regards,

Adrian