Le Prof

Hi All, Nearly a month and no responses? I'm surprised, due to the wealth of arcane knowledge on the site (-: So, I'll float a theory for you to shoot at. Bicycle manufacturers commonly used the frame code to date their bicycle to year or even month of production (I worked out the dating system used for US Columbia G519 Military bicycles which you can see on other websites, which dates to month of manufacture). The serial number system for BSA bicycles is not currently known, and I cannot find enough known date examples to start to decode it. However, it is known that 'Parabikes' started manufacture in 1942, probably at R1, and just counted upwards into the R70000's by end of production in 1943. Using letters for date codes, it is common to omit I, O and S, since they resemble the numbers 1, 0 and 5 (Seiko cleverly date their watches by month 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0,N,D, so the 0 is for October!). Perhaps in January 1943, the person stamping the frames realised that, since it was a new year, it was normal to start a new letter block for frames, not S, the natural follow on from R, for the reason of possible confusion given, but T. They then continued stamping frames for a short until someone confirmed that there should be no letter change foe bikes on this contract, so reverted to R. Sounds far fetched? I agree I will probably never know, but here are two supporting pieces of information. The US Columbia G519 bicycles were were produced from late 1941 to early 1944. In 41 the year code was F and in 42, G. 43 and 44 should have been H and I or J. In fact all army military contract bikes remained as G for 42-43 (with an M for military stamped in front). When normal production resumed in 45, bikes were coded J. Hating to quote myself, details are here: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/westfield-frame-numbers-1939-1945.100742/ The Germans had a similar problem with a maker of rifle magazines who had produced MP43 mags in 43, and MP44 mags in 44, stamping their mags MP45 for a short period in 45, before reverting to MP44 again. http://claus.espeholt.dk/mp44.htm If you've got this far, thanks for persevering. I would be interested in other ideas, or other BSA parabikes stamped T. If the idea was correct, it would show us where production was at the end of 42, not currently known. Or perhaps it's just a mistake (-: Best Regards, Adrian

Hi All, time for an update, I think. This bike is nearly complete: In the end, I retained the original paint. Parts were obtained from the UK, US, France, Germany and Canada. It's not complete yet (incorrect axles, I intend to rebuild the wheels onto original axles), and there were compromises (original tyres are single tube, and unobtainable). Also, the smallest things take the longest time, the bracket to hold the lamp on was very difficult to obtain, eventually coming from a period furnishings website in the US. As mentioned in the previous post, there is no manual known for these, so I ended up doing a lot of research myself. Once I started sharing this mainly on the CABE bicycle site, others stepped forward with information of their own, so there has been a big increase in knowledge in just a year. It is also known that there are seven known survivors of this model in varying conditions, and maybe one or two each of the other two makers (Dayton and Great Western) My research has included working through the US National archives, which has thrown up some nice pictures from 1919. One I'd like some help with appears to be a proposed way of mounting a rifle on the bike. Both the rifle mounting and leather bag on the crossbar are unusual. I can't imagine that they were made specially for the bike, and could be adaptions of other items. Below, a left and right shot of the bag. Is this a standard item, eg, cavalry? Below, a shot of the rifle bracket. It is well made and stamped US on both sides, is this an adaption of a vehicle bracket? If you can help with these questions, I'd be grateful. Also, any leads on other information or examples of these bikes always welcome. Thanks, Best Regards, Adrian

Dear All, I'm just starting on my third Parabike restoration. Photos below show that it is missing all the usual parts, but it is an early second pattern with its original SCC2 Brown paint, and all of the transfers in good condition, so it's worth taking some effort on it. The BSA transfer seems to vary, I have originals in both Silver and Gold? The oddity is the serial number. I've always read and been told that they start with an R. This one does not, it starts with a T. It's plain from the photo and comparison with my other bikes that this is not a light or mis-stamping of an R. For comparison, here is Martyn Hillyard's in post one of his Parabike restoration: Has anyone seen another with a T serial? Being an early Brown colour, there are R serials before and after it. I have a couple of ideas, but would be interested in any theories as to why it is stamped T. And, whilst I'm here, leads to spare parts welcome, especially a replacement top butterfly nut and screw. (-: Thanks, Adrian

Simple but nice. I'm glad people such as you take the time and trouble to locate and restore items like this bomb trailer, which would otherwise just disappear. What's next on the list? Best Regards, Adrian

Hi Nick, thanks for the link. He had a couple of hinge assemblies available a month or so ago, but, as is often the way, the moment you need them, they're gone (-: I'm keeping watch there (and may drop him a line), but if anyone else has the wingnut/screw available, I'd be happy to hear from you. Best Regards, Adrian

Hi All, I recently bought the bones of my fourth Parabike restoration (when will I learn?) It's my first Brown one. (-: The original transfers are very nice. As can be seen, it's missing a lot of parts, but the first I'd like to locate is the upper wingnut and screw, so that I can lock the frame open. If you have one you'd be willing to part with, please let me know. I would also be interested in other parts too. thanks for your help. Best Regards, Adrian

I read that the BMW blocks used in Formula 1 (?) in the 1970's were used 2002i blocks from standard road going cars, which seasoned the blocks. Plus the engineers would, er, micturate on them whilst in storage, the ammonia helping with the metal treatment....

Free for a limited time, and under new management: https://support.photobucket.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004314254

Quite right. (-: Al Berger of Bergerwerke is a great person to work with for bicycle restoration, both of the G519 Columbia or Huffman. On the European side of the Atlantic is Johan, who is not a dealer, but has a fine site on the subject. http://www.theliberator.be/militarybicycles.htm Meantime, I probably know more about the dating, serial numbers and purchase contracts for G519's than anyone, and am happy to answer questions on it. Best Regards, Adrian

Hi, Thanks for the information. The Swiss bike is very nice and looks original. However, the two 'Columbia' bikes are copies, which may not even be using Columbia frames. Compare the rear frame shape to the one below. Here is mine, from towards the end of production in 1943. The only two noticable variations during production are that early ones have a curved front downtube, and a different pattern on the chainwheel. Best Regards, Adrian

Hi, neither are 1941, and certainly later than mid 1942. Best Regards, Prof

Hi, and I'm old enough to remember the end of that phase, when the classic car crowd moved in (must say, I'm not anti, it was just the first time I'd seen it). At the Southsea show, around 1987-88 pretty well any vehicle that was capable of driving in to the show under their own steam had done that. For the first time I'd seen, someone arrived with a freshly restored jeep on a trailer, carefully wheeled it off, dusted the tyres, and put mirrors under it so you could see the quality of the restoration (which was good). After three days in the hot sunshine, I was talking with the owner, and congratulated him on the fact that it had not leaked oil onto the mirrors, "or do you have to clean them every night?" He let me into his secret of a leak free jeep, it had been reassembled with no oil in it for show purposes only! Hence, trailing it was a necessity.... Best Regards, Adrian

Hi Ben, thanks for the reply. To me it's always interesting to know the back story on these vehicles, and how they survive in the condition that they do (for better or worse). I note the WO disposals list above has many lorries which are already just chassis after the first 6 years or less of their existance, so some chassis could easily have spent 80+ years as a trailer. Best Regards, and Good Luck, Adrian

Hi Ben, I'm looking forward to following this, as with all the vehicles on this page. Please could you tell us the origins of the chassis, is it another farm cart/workman's caravan rescue? Thanks, Adrian

Hi Andy, just realised that I didn't reply and thank you for your input.. I didn't know that Chrome was plated onto Nickle. I've subsequently found that the specification for the Nickled parts was 'Dull Nickle', which is probably what would be done by the plating shop. It's a little too late for me to do that, maybe next time.... In fact the specification of these bikes is a bit of a headache, although I think I'm getting there. The problem is that there are so few examples, and none of them totally as built. It is also becoming apparent that some parts, like the front axle, could be substituted in, presumably if there were shortages. The whole specification thing should be easy, with the war finishing as suddenly as it did, Westfield, in common with many manufacturers, found themselves with masses of surplus stock from cancelled US contracts. For the next few years, they built up and sold off the surplus military frames with parts on hand. Below are adverts from Dayton and Westfield for their 1920 and 1921 model bikes, using frames and other parts from the cancelled military orders. These are useful in the absence of proper parts manuals, because they give an indication of the parts that could have been used, but cannot be treated as gospel because civilian parts were substituted in, and so require careful fact checking.

Hi All, I'm looking for the correct lamp for my US Army 1917 Columbia "Military Model" bicycle. Recently, I managed to buy the correct Neverout lamp and fork clamp made by Rose Mfg Co of Philadelphia on Ebay. The US based seller sent them to Ebay package forwarding (Pitney Bowes) for shipping to France, who has lost them or something (their explanation wasn't exactly clear). The seller is no wiser either, though very helpful. Pitney Bowes refunded my money immediately without argument, but that's not really the point when you think you've just found the last parts you need, and they evaporate. Anyway, the pictures below are of the items originally bought. I would like to try to get the same double 'Motorcycle' style clamp, and a USA stamped military Neverout lamp (I can get the ones without the stamping quite easily). If you have any leads, or the items to sell, please let me know. Thank you for your help. Best Regards, Adrian

Dear Richard, Thanks for the clarification and extended history. Best Regards, Adrian

Hi All, I've just added a Reliance Trailer dataplate to my collection. I've tried to find details of them, but only found Reliance Trailer in the US. Is it possible that this is Reliant Trailer of three wheel Robin fame? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliant They are noted on Wiki as " The Second World War saw Reliant machining parts for the war effort." Best Regards, Adrian

Hi 10FM68, I agree, thanks for figuring it out. Both of the signs in the upper middle are 5 bde. With the help of your reference, I can now see the remains of the blue 5 above the crossed bayonet/Key on the left one; The right one is almost entirely missing the bayonet/key, but the blue 5 is really obvious.. So, in answer to Doug, no, 5th Infantry Brigade and 19th Infantry Brigade would not have had these markings painted on at the same time. Best Regards, Adrian

Hi, Doug, do you know the date of the trailer? (that'll give me a start point for your question). Regards, Adrian

Hi, the triangular badge on your trailer is 19th Infantry Brigade. https://worldwarwonders.co.uk/product/8-original-british-19th-infantry-brigade-cloth-badge/ Some history here: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30072894 The red square with the white cross might be 48th Gurkha Brigade https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/48th_Brigade_(United_Kingdom) Best Regards, Adrian

Hi, All, certainly not Perspex, which was not developed until 1928. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate) Perspex is often used as a generic word for transparent plastic, like Hoover for Vacuum cleaner. Triplex did exist, here's a 1916 article on it from Flight magazine: https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1916/1916 - 0066.PDF https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1916/1916 - 0067.PDF Triplex glass was laminated with Xylonite, a modified (probably a different plasticiser, which changes the flexibility) form of Celluloid, so it could be your rear window would have been a sheet of Xylonite. http://www.decolish.com/Xylonite.html Meilleurs Vœux pour 2108 (-: Adrian

Hi, I can't directly answer the question, but issue CWC watches of that period were supplied to the MOD by Silvermans, so they certainly had contacts with MOD procurement; I suppose that is not so strange when you consider they must have been buying surplus from MOD for many years, and so would be a well known firm. Incidentally, I've just handed in my last pair of 20 year old Boots DMS (wrong colour, brown is now the way to go) to stores in exchange for a pair of Desert High Liability, whatever that means... Best Regards, Prof

Hi, Steve. Transparent Cellulose Acetate film was certainly available at this point, so could have been used. It wouldn't have been resistant to folding too many times, but this is a back panel, so I guess would not have been demounted too often. That is about the only transparent plastic option. Best Regards, Adrian

Hi, Doug, Does the arrow point at a lifting or jacking point on the chassis? Best Regards, Prof