SteveA

Ahem yes Degsy, I know said ditty, although in my case it was applied otherwise, although the result was just the same. However, a short piece from my previous posting, is that I was posted after a bit, to the Light Air Defence, and operated the Bofors 40 / 70. Just before I left however Rapier came in, and attempted to supercede our tried and tested gun, trouble was, and some may recall, that when used for the first time "in anger" (the Falklands), it would,nt bloody work eh ! Steve

I was trained on 25 pounders whilst in the Artillery in 1970, great fun too. I can still remnember the sequence of lay - E.L.X.L.E. - elevation, line, crosslevel, fine for line fine for elevation, done like this to take the backlash from the gears etc. Also recall our old gun had escaped the factory without being proof fired, arrangments were therefore made to get it done. If I recall right, the charge was supercharge "and a bit", a long lanyard and a hole to hide in. Afraid it didnt come up to scratch, and after a bloody great bang the barrel split from one end to the other. Steve.

Hello Ewok. Im brand new to this previously unknown (to me anyway) site. I own a 1940 WD M20, and Ive ran it for around 11 very enjoyable years. I have 7 bikes in total (all brits), and have a personal policy that when I take ownership I always (unless I know its been done recently by the previous owner) - take the barrel off for a peep inside. I did this to my M20, and found certain scoring etc, so I had a rebore and new piston etc. Since then I have travelled many and numerous thousands of entirely trouble free miles, never once even missing yet a beat. So truly the design ideal still apply. I was wondering if you had any idea as to why your problem has occured. I have known M20s to run rather hot, but particularly with the (actually recomended) 170 main jet installed. My own was like this, so I went up two notches to a 190. When I restarted it was obvious that the old girl was much much happier, a very steady tickover, no frapping and spitting, and with a nice cool cylinder. Its run like this ever since (10 years), and never fails to fire up first kick. Of course there are plenty of other reasons for piston damage to occur, (even a flooding carb can wash the oil away from the bore resulting in seizure), but its best cured lest it happens again, and bits are bloody dear are they not. Steve.

Hello everyone. I was told about this site from a likeish minded friend, and thought I would add my bit. The names Steve and I hail from Ulverston, South Cumbria. After school, I joined the Royal Artillery and stayed for 8 years. I was initially trained up on 25 Pounders (sequence of lay - E.L.X.L.E. - elevation, line, crosslevel, fine for line, fine for elevation (this has never left me), and went on to 5.5" howitzers - which were very simarlar in usage to the 25 lb er, only a bit bigger and a lot heavier. From here I was posted to a Light Air defence Regiment where I was trained up on the 40 / 20 Bofors, it was quite a bit of kit this despite its then age. I also passed my HGV in a Gun Tractor - an AEC Militant - 32 mph flat out, ratchet handbrake, true crash box, no power steering etc etc. I also rode the then MOD bike - the BSA B40. Also used was the then new 1 Ton Landrover (fitted with the Rover V8) and blah blah blah. I endured two tours of N.I. preceeded by 6 months in Cyprus, would you believe in training for N.I. I left the Army just as the guns were being superceded by objects such as Rapier, and which, when put to the test in the Falklands didnt bloody work eh ! I run a 1940 BSA M20, but have 6 other civilian bikes that I use very often, especially a rather nice 1949 BSA B33 Plunger. I have Steam Loco experience, specifically fireman duties (lots too), and off course boiler maintainace etc. Because of this, I was asked to look after the boiler and engines of The Gondola - which is a steam pinnace (type), owned by the National trust on Coniston lake, around 12 miles away, a very enjoyable period this was. I have always had an eye for things Military whether it be vehicles or any other item, and will be interested to hear from like minded people. Anyway, if I can help anyone I will.