79x100

Tried that, still come up with the gobbledygook when I try to search through Google again. Had to look all through the old post-its to find my password again. Why has the problem suddenly appeared ? Surely the system should realise that old vehicle owners, by their very nature, are somewhat resistant to change. If only I had a large whitworth spanner to fit my computer, I'm sure I could sort it all out ! :wink:

I'm going straight on to the forum page now (found it again via a link from another site) but I can't get the news page any more. I'm reluctant to delete cookies because I've forgotten most of my passwords and things. This problem started for me just a few days ago as well, without me having altered anything so why should cookies (which are meant to help us, aren't they ?) suddenly cause this problem ? I have to say that the error message is the sort that made me think that the forum was going the way of some others that I have been a member of. Let's hope that it's not permanently discouraging the less determined. Rich.

I very rarely sell vehicles because they always seem to realise what's going on and throw some sort of expensive mechanical wobbly which leaves the choice of selling them for next to nothing or fixing them but of course once they're fixed, it seems a shame to sell them and then just when I decide to... :?

Joris, My apologies, I've just come and stood in front of you ! :oops: Rik.

Here's a picture of it as it now stands, loosely assembled. The lack of a tool box remains the most noticeable missing item. A WD Ariel box just went on ebay for £5. Why can't Norton stuff be that cheap and available? The ironic thing is that I passed over a later Norton toolbox at Netley Marsh two years ago because I thought it was too dear at £70. I'd jump at it now ! Looks like I'm going to be back over the water for Netley marsh and Beaulieu next month. Rich.

Coppicing eh, Jack ? Top man. I've just planted hazel and oak at the bottom of my garden with a view to making my own small contribution. Because I'm in Belgium I've had to include a couple of pollarded willow as well :-) What was the old "arb's" joke ? "How do you tell the age of a tree protester ?" - -"Count the rings in his nose !" :-D Apologies for drifting off topic. Rich.

I think that a number of us find it a bit difficult to say precisely what we feel "uneasy" about. Sadly, those who saw action in WW2 won't be around for much longer, but for me it will still be a personal thing. On the other hand, perhaps we shouldn't forget how the British army dressed up for the Aldershot Tattoos of the 1930s! Were they insulting anyones memory ? The Battledress remains (for me at least) a very emotionally loaded image. Somehow pre-war Service Dress isn't, so I'm not being logical. There must be a fine line between playing at soldiers and historical display. I know there are groups who give museum talks and things but on the other hand here in Belgium there are those that turn up on armistice day in Hotchkiss Jeeps dressed in a mixture of Vietnam era kit and pretend they've just liberated the village. They usually drive off with sirens on....Congenital Mast*******s ! (wonder if that gets past the censor) NO And as for battle scenarios...when we were kids, we used to have "Gat Wars" in the woods. The only difference is that we drunk Corona lemonade instead of Special brew! I think that I've just talked myself into sticking with a Barbour Trials jacket and a "pudding basin" helmet ! (Unless someone can tell me where I could get a nice set of 1930s style belted overalls with no zips or velcro. Rich.

I have some reservations about dressing up, although because my vehicle is a motorcycle, I'm very aware that the wrong outfit would completely destroy any sense of period. Nothing looks worse than a "full face" helmet or fluorescent tabard. So far I haven't gone further than the acquisition of a Mk11 helmet to hang over the headlamp to disguise a lack of black-out precautions. Somehow WW2 just seems a bit too recent to me as well. I can just imagine the reaction of my late, ex RSM Grandfather if he saw me in battledress. It would certainly involve "daft" and "bugger" and he was a man whom I respected enormously. My "Duration of Emergency" Dad is still around and I think he would have a good piss-take as well. That said, he is quitely amused that my favourite winter coat is still his post-war Civil Defence greatcoat. There certainly is a sub-community within reenacting who take their research and levels of authenticity as seriously as most of us do with our vehicles but I suspect that it is a minority amongst the "Walts". I find mock battles completely pointless. I stopped going to the Biggin Hill airshows when they started pretending that Harvards painted as "Jap Zeros" were bombing the runway. I do believe though that vehicles are made to be used (and worn out). Some of the Beltring shots of Carriers being thrashed through the dust look great. Rich.

It seems a bit of a shame to me. I would have thought that a W. A. N. C. aboard would have come in quite handy on a long voyage :-)

1939 Norton WD16H I thought that I might as well start the motorcycle restorations off with a picture of the rolling chassis as first acquired and the front mudguard showing the "Crossed keys" of 2nd Infantry Division. I now have most parts to complete (but if anyone knows of a toolbox and a rear brake pedal...!) My next step really needs to be to obtain a digital camera so that I can document everything before I start dismantling. Anyone have any views on what sort of quality I need for good close-up detail shots ? Rich.

Enigma, Ik heb geen enkel probleem met het gebruik van algemeen nederlands maar dat Antwaarps accent vind ik verschrikkelijk. Liever west-vlaams zonder ondertiteling :-) I should mention that I live in Belgian Limburg and Antwerpenaars always laugh at the accent here (I dooon't knooow why) and so I waste no opportunity to have a dig back ! I'm actually quite proud of my adopted accent, even if it does differ from the next village. Groetjes vanuit het verre Limburg m'ne jong Rich.

I don't know what happened to my newest post. Did I do something wrong ? I might well take a risk and go along on 15th October, even though I don't speak Antwaarps. Perhaps it might be a good way to meet up with other members this side of the ditch ? Rich.

I would be up for 15th October. It might be a chance for anyone this side of the ditch to say hello :-) I don't speak Antwaarps though. Not sure I really want to actually. Rich.

It's back again. Doesn't look as if anyone's posting though. I must say, it has become a bit tiresome. Glad I found this forum and Maple Leaf Up ! :-)

The "friends" of the museum appear to have a website. http://tankfreak.tripod.com/id1.html Looks as if the next date for a visit is October unfortunately.

I seem to have got over the wide screen by removing my "favourites" panel but I can't get back to Google by presing "previous" anymore. I have to click on that little red cross thingy and go back to my main screen. :? Most annoying. It's a good job that my vehicle preparation is a little better than my understanding of windows. :-)

Have you had a look at Henk Joore's WM20 website ? http://home.quicknet.nl/qn/prive/ahum/ If I' haven't typed the link correctly, just Google "WM20" As a committed Norton man, I am tempted to ask why not go for the machine that the War Department chose after extensive pre-war testing rather than one forced upon them by the exigencies of war ? :-) Seriously though, the extensive post-war use of WM20s does seem to mean that most spares are more plentiful and much cheaper. If you can get hold of Orchard & Madden's "British Forces Motorcycles 1925 - 1945", it's well worth a look and the frame number listings will help you know what you're looking at. Rich.

One of the joys of a forum such as this is that it lets us talk about what really interests us. The situation is even worse in the motorcycle world. One paper calls itself "Old Bike Mart" - Not Classic - Old - but the editor keeps getting "new" Triumphs to test and takes up half the paper with them. (It's still essential for the classifieds though. And don't get me started on Japanese stuff ! I always look forward to "Windscreen" Even when the article is about something that doesn't really interest me like units serving in Aden in the 1960s, I still read it from begining to end because it is so obviously well researched and written by an enthusiast. That enthusiasm shines through in a way that it never can in someone who is just as likely to be working for Mobile Home monthly or some other group title before the week is out. Rich.

Tyler, Glad you liked the picture and that my vehicle recognition was up to scratch. It came from "Mei 1940" by Peter Taghon which only appeared as far as I am aware in Belgium, in French or Dutch editions. It is one of my favourite books dealing with what the Belgians call the "Eighteen-day campaign" but it was only on re-reading it that I recognised the vehicle thanks to your thread. The photo is from the IWM so a copy would be available from them showing more detail. It is one of a series taken in Vilvoorde (to the north of Brussels) probably showing troops of 4th Infantry Division who were moving up in support of the 3rd Division who went on to man the "Dyle Line" at Leuven. Loosely translated, the interesting bits of the caption say that on the British lorry, a Bren is being held in readiness for a sudden air attack. A part of the Canvas has been pushed aside and the weapon rests on an arm (or rod) above the cab. The laughing British keep their courage up. The lorry, delivered by the "General Services" (I assume he means RASC) is lightly damaged and has lost a headlamp. If the vehicle is RASC then Arm of service insignia would be red over green. The photo looks lighter but I can't think of any alternative. It has a white line under which at that time indicated GHQ troops. I don't know if there are any serial number experts on this forum but the number on the bonnet seems to read 175175 although I can't see any "L" prefix. Huge quantities of vehicles were lost at Dunkirk (63,879 from the 68,618 taken to France) so it is not surprising that even if K4s were present in large numbers in 1940, few appear in photographs. Anyway, at least you've got proof of them being used now ! Cheers, Rich.

Isn't the 700 the standard 7" Lucas headlamp unit ? Have you measured the diameter ? If so, it is the same as was fitted to countless Land Rovers and other British cars and motorcycles of the 1960s and '70s. It, or replacements from manufacturers such as Wipac are commnnly available, with various bulb fittings in LH or RH dip versions. You can even get 6v Halogen these days. Have a look at the website for "Vehicle Wiring Products" in Ilkeston. Loads of interesting stuff. I have always found them very quick and effecient to deal with. Rich.

I don't believe that the pinions "dropped out" I reckon they'd have flown out. Afraid I'm a Norton man as well but I'd have thought that if the gear wheels are marked, the system must be pretty similar. If you don't get any response here from someone who knows what they're talking about, I would suggest a post on WD Motorcycles on Yahoo Groups as I'm pretty sure there are some oilfields there. Elk Promotions have copy manuals for most WD Enfields. might not be a bad idea to get hold of one. Rich.

Tyler, Did you find any In-service pictures ? Have you seen IWM F4398 ? I could be mistaken on exact type but it looks the same as yours to me. The vehicle in question was in use with the RASC during the BEFs advance through Belgium in May 1940. Is that date possible? They certainly had quite a quantity of impressed civilian vehicles. Unfortunately, I can't post photos but if you pm me your e-mail address, I'll send it through to you. Cheers, Rich.

I dunno about tricycles. I used to have one and every time I went round a corner, I fell off it and the funny metal box on the back flew open and all my Dinky toys and conkers fell out. Rich.

I think it looks magnificent as it is. If I had the space, I'd buy it to use it as a hen-coop. Won't it be rather sad when there are no more derelict vehicles like this ?all either restored or "recycled" . Rich.

Richard, Looks like I jumped to conclusions. You can't miss the oil cooler if you have one, It fills the space between the grille and the rad. My 109 12v GS had a huge steel fan flying around and the Kenlowe was worth 2 - 3 mpg and some noise reduction. It hardly ever operated in normal use, there is just so much air flow through a Land Rover Rad. The GS versions had the nice capillary tube gauges as well, matching ones for Water temp and oil temp which I don't think the civvy version had ? It taught me a lesson regarding engine temperatures which I still bear in mind. You may think that an engine is warm because the coolant thermostat has opened and the gauge shows normal but the oil temperature which is what counts in terms of engine wear lags a long way behind. It puts you of thrashing from cold for life. Rich