bigduke6

Having a quick look they are still there today, the problem is the unit was formed in 1967 so it probably served with another unit.... 124 comes under 102 Battalion (reserve) you may have some look by contacting the unit, google it and it will bring up the Army web page, contact details are on the page. Some old TA barracks still hold a lot of historic stuff regarding the unit... and its history (if its stayed pretty much the same)

Thanks for the offer....... but the plan is to restore as accurate as can be. The bayonet cap tank is what was on the bike when I bought it, original or after it left service I don't know, Whatever is on the shelf in the stores is what's fitted, same as rifles etc even to this day, Maybe I should of said " one of the bottom three" in the link below regarding the tank........ http://www.matchlesswd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/P15a-Petrol-tanks.jpg

Thanks Ron, Thats the plan, will keep a look out, think the POR15 will hold out till then, have got the bayonet cap (to be honest prefer it to the pie crust type) have got two spare pie crust ones to O/H. Wanted list so far: Petrol Tank (any considered) Lucas Magneto end cover (the end cover which houses the advance/ retard cable) Push on/off fuel cocks Oil pipe to rocker box, (just pipe and fitting to make will do)

The pics regarding tank, the first is when it was in a bin full of water and used the electrolysis method of removing most of the rust etc, then the same process but just inside the tank Corrosion was bad on the top surface, but once cleanled up with flap wheel not too bad, can't say i enjoy the flap wheel but there was plenty of meat on the tank for any error. some pics showing some of the original welding and my brazing brazing and the underneath of the tank, you can see the pin holes near the brazing..... this was a bad area as the tank holes were brazed it was like painting the fourth bridge so decided on the tank sealer. waiting for this got the filler on and it got a coat of Hammerite Red Oxide primer at the end, this stuff I used on my phone box and it has stood the test of time, even some of the bits I had missed regarding rust on the phone box, the primer over time just had some black spots where the bad areas were, no change in anything but just the colour. The primer is the first coat it, a small area can be seen were the wet and dry was used, didn't go any further, as waited for the Por15 tank sealer to arrive...... I was sceptical but the product is good bit daunting also as its a half pint tin and you do wonder........ after the 96 hours it was tested and all was good, a sigh of releaf and can continue, although not a priority I will be on the look out for a spare tank, just a pity I missed the one on ebay recently.....

Having some free time continued with the tank, all going well until the vinegar started to eat the rust, a few weeps were brazed up but it was a continuing battle, I don't know what repair was done before as its got a weld all the way around as if it was two tanks joined together..... so the sealer option is the way to go, could kick myself as I missed out on a new tank on ebay yesterday. I looked at the sealer's available and have gone with POR15 tank sealer, ordered today so will continue with the outside and fill the places it needs (around the old weld) will get some pics tomorrow, I would of used the caswell but it was £58 and nearly £20 more for a colour sealer rather than clear. Bought a spare carb on ebay looks good and was missing the air slide, ordered the slide Wednesday and it arrived this morning so can fit this to the bike, just the lube oil pipe to make and fit and hope to get a start.

Thanks Ron, As normal fingers always on the pulse..... have seen a few on ebay, also seen a few variations on bikes at the W&P show.

Although work started on the tank its been slow, after searching the War and Peace and coming back with a few bits but nothing Bike related, been looking for what should be the correct tail light.... anyone any pointers ?

In the Latest report from the HBSA, page 9 regarding Deactivated weapons, I won't type the whole thing but one part may be of interest, Quote; At present there is much confusion since there is no information from Brussels and, in the UK, the penalties are in the Policing and Crime Bill which will probably not become law until Easter 2017, It should be assumed, however, that any deactivated firearm which is not done to the EU Regulation specification would now be regarded as a Section 5 item if " Placed on the Market" or taken across a border between Member States . Slightly of the subject but, I'm led to believe that there are planned changes to be written in our law regarding "lever release" firearms such as the ones produced by Southern Gun..... don't know the whole story but just a snippet I was told yesterday, but something like "No bolt disrupting device" ........or words to that affect. Anyone planning or looking at such weapons I would hold on to your hard earned cash till or all the proposed EU Weapons Directive has been Ironed out and the dust settles.......

I was there Wednesday & Thursday, two good days but there was a few more WD bikes on Thursday than the above pic, Wednesday I covered most of the trade stands, and Thursday spent some more cash and hit the vehicle side of things, must admit when at Hop farm there seemed to be a lot more ..... It was the intention to pick up some bits for the bike but to be honest the bits I did see were well over priced in my opinion, the bikes also in the pic were as said, totally unguarded...... can't say I'd be happy leaving mine there, in fact I wouldn't even in it present condition. I was hoping to get down there next year if all complete with Bike and Van etc and stay a week, but will have a think as I never knew of the show up North ( was not so long ago). Someone mentioned something new at at Hop Farm ? Any details etc, the venue at Westenhanger is ideal regarding train travel, Hop farm was a pain waiting for the bus, and the last bus left around 1730, at least at Westenhanger you can just walk out when you like, so not limited and always clock watching. I think the German Army etc side of the living History won hands down to me, the cobbler part was good and something you don't think of until you see it, guess he would of been a busy man repairing the jack boots, think the guy in the German Army uniform and cycling around near the trade stands on his bike was excellent. I picked up a few items including a No5 Mills Grenade, really nice example.

I'll be there for two days but staying in Folkestone Wednesday night, although I'm usually searching the trade stands for Lee Enfield related items, bayonets and other items of interest i'll be looking more in the vehicle trade stands etc for bits for my bike. Its sad to read about some of the disputes that some have had, I hope to take the bike next year will see what the feeling is down there on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thanks Ron & Ferg, Its first initial de rust has come up ok, most of the paint off now just the underneath, it looks like its had a few repairs on the bottom were there is band of filler, some parts have suffered on the surface but think its just down to poor prep on the last paint etc, no signs of any major filler so will plod on with the electrolysis then when happy all the old rust is broken down will beed blast. I only mentioned the liner/ sealer if it was required will know better when the inside is finished.

I gather you never use one Ron?

Thanks Ron regarding the gearbox, Although a slow start as I've a million other jobs in hand but made a start on the petrol tank, I've used the electrolysis process as the start to remove some of the rust that was present, doing the inside and out, will get some pics of the process up soon for anyone interested. Regarding petrol tanks has anyone used or recommend a sealer for the tank? all the bikes I've ever had used to get a clean with gravel a good flush out with red diesel then petrol.

Trevor, Pics are on the Motorbike part of the forum, already had some excellent advice from Roy.

Thanks Ron I,ll keep my eyes open. Gearbox was the other I was going to mention?

Ron, What oil do you recommend for the G3L ?

Thanks Ron, Very nice bike, interesting snippet regarding the canvas seat......

Thanks Ferg and Ron, will just plod along, and keep an eye out for a speedo, will be searching the junk boxes at the War & Peace this year. The tank is the first thing to do and cure the rust, as you mention parts etc during the life of G3L, I know how the Army operates also, the nearest spare to hand is used when it comes to repairs etc. Think the only things that will come off is the Battery box and the rear seat, looks like its been fitted more recently, needs some tin bashing also. On the subject of seats, when did they start to use canvas as a seat cover ? The pannier frames are slightly different to most I,ve seen as they don't have the wing nut to secure when down or up.

Never noticed the exhaust, The battery holder is a repair on the original one I,ve already sorted some bits to fabricate another, the rear seat is not original to bike but don't know when it was added, as its got ridge down the centre to fit over the first type of mudguard, anyone know where I can get a speedo, one on ebay the other day went for £250, I need two actually one for the WD and one for the 1947 G3L. Was thinking of a replica one for the time being.

Big Thanks to Ron for the relevant info, everything checks out, Engine is a replacement (1947) and not a Military replacement, but not too concerned, did a temp repair to the oil supply yesterday so got some circulating and kicked it over testing the Magneto, spark was there so hope to fire it up soon. Some pics below.

Thanks Ron, PM on the way.

New to the forum, recently bought a Matchless G3L (1947) with the view to get a feel and some knowledge of the G3L before looking again for a WD G3L, not long after unloading the 47 bike I got wind or a possible offer of a WD bike.... then as luck would have it while searching for parts etc on ebay, come across a classified for a WD G3L 1943, the deal was done in seconds and picked it up on Sunday. (just like buses once one comes along the rest follow) Still going over bike for what I need etc, I've a certificate to date it from the Matchless owners club, which I need to return as it has two digits the wrong way round, so the difference is around 4000 bikes, still puts in the 1943 year just unsure of the month. On the tool box cover the metal plate gives me a Chassis Contract No and Catalogue No, just wonder where to look to with this info ? and if its original to the bike.

Hello, From bigduke6 (Geoff), main interest in Lee Enfields and Military rifles, I,ve been looking for a WD G3L for some time but at the right price, struck lucky recently so thought I'd join the HMVF, for advice and also if I can help others with any Engineering etc. I'm a time served Fitter & Turner and have served for the last 26 years as an Engineering officer in the Merchant Navy.

P14 woodwork is hard to come by, last I seen was at the War and Peace and the seller was wanting £90 that was just the stock.... I've a few rifles wanting the woodwork plus a P17 (all live). Problem in the UK most P14 and P17 were sporterized or used as a base for a target rifle, even the original barrels are becoming rare.