Graham

Brilliant photograph. Now where is my trilby and sharp suit.......? Ron CMV Magazine November page 76. Thank you both.

In the Classic Military Vehicle magazine, for the past few issues, an Excelsior Consort 1957 motorbike has been advertised for sale. It is painted in army colours with a hooded headlight. I have nothing against people painting their bikes any colour they want and making them look like 'military' vehicles, I have done the same myself, so I was just wondering if there was a genuine version used by the military in the 1950s? I know small engined lightweight bikes were issued to the paras during WW2, but also after the war? I am genuinely interested without making any criticism, indeed I am building a similar bike at the moment albeit with a Villiers 8E engine. Any comments, any one?

Hi Ron Going back to the tyres, in the website photograph they look to have a flattish profile, do they when fitted? I am asking because they look the part and I would like to fit them to my WW2 style sidecar outfit. Thank you.

Henry Krank Company have posted on their website the following statement : 'From March 1st 2016 the UK Law specifying how guns are deactivated will change. Currently deactivated guns have moving parts, after March 1st 2016 all guns that are deactivated will have no moving parts at all and will be welded solid. This is your last chance to buy a deactivated gun with moving parts, after March 1st 2016 you will be able to keep your deactivated gun but you will no longer be able to buy them.' Is this correct?

Thank you for the information. I do realise that these sort of jobs cannot be easy or quick. I build (?) old motorbikes which take enough time never mind the complexity of a tank and the difficulty of finding parts. Thank you again for taking time to reply to my question.

Pardon me if this has been covered elsewhere but I recently found an old copy of Classic Military Vehicle magazine issue 142 March 2013 which has an excellent article about John Pearson restoring a 'loaned' Churchill. I was just wondering if there has been any progress reported since this article?

Brilliant - thank you for posting it.

Sorry to butt in but are we allowed to make replica weapons? I thought it was illegal to build your 'own' replicas. Forgive me if I have got this wrong.

What have I started? I have used the dot type and they are a begger to undo. I made a canvas cover for the seat and used them on that but changed to the turn buckle so will probably use those on this flap. Nice to know, Lex, what it should look like. Thank you every one. Graham

Hi Ron. Very nice bike. Are the engine cases painted silver or rough casting? Also I have sent you a PM.

Thank you Ron. Just what I wanted to know. I didn't know there was a steel rod along the top edge, it does make sense of course. I assume the opening covered by this removable canvas flap was to ease maintenance of the bike, I wish I had one on my Canterbury adult/child sidecar body in the 60's, it would have made life easier trying to sort my A10 Also thanks for the info on the front mudguard, I suspected it should be steel. So someone must have made one from a wide ali blade, mine allows the girder forks to pass through holes as the Norton. No point in me being too concerned about authenticity seeing that the rest of the bike is a replica. Thank you.

.... I forgot to add that I have now fitted a wide front mudguard and grab handle like the Norton. I bought the mudguard with the correct holes and even small holes for the side plate of eBay - it is aluminium - where the originals aluminium? Thanks.

I have built and ridden for a couple of year now a Royal Enfield WD/CO replica with military Norton Big 4 style sidecar and the winter project is to upgrade it all. I see from contemporary photos that the sidecar opening nearest the bike was covered by a canvas sheet. I would like to know how this is fastened. Turnbuckles, strap and loops or ...? Any help greatly appreciated.

Better photo of bike - it is undergoing changes at the moment.

Welcome to the Forum. I would be interested in a 40's weekend if my replica WD RE/CO sidecar outfit would be of interest to people. I live in Chorley so am localhttp://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/images/attach/jpg.gif.

Sorry people - I should have looked into this further. I had it in my mind that this was a company that sold ex military equipment. I have no found out that 'MITSALES' is the sales arm of Mitchenall Brothers of Durrington the makers of Avon Fairings. Interesting though the reference to MOD set 33032? Or am I clutching at straws to try and justify a mistaken post? Sorry.

I bought an Avon Fairing for a motorcycle from a chap that collects ex police motorbikes. In a cubbyhole I found a label with the following information: 'MITSALES LTD., Windsor Court, Bulford Rd., Durrington, Salisbury, Wilts. Telephone; Durrington Walls 69415' printed on the label. Typed on to the label is: 'Order No. G98/75639. Part No. PSA 4 White/Shell. Vocab No. 7BC 2510-99-806-7225. In aid of MOD set 33032.' Anybody know about this firm and what all this may mean? Thanks.

Classic Bike Show at Stafford this weekend 18th & 19th October might be worth a visit. I have got most of my bits for bikes over the years?

Thank you for this latest information. Ordered one.

Can anyone advise me please if there is a club/organisation in NW England that will provide live firing SMLE and/or Webley Mk5 for me to shoot? I have a collection of deactivated WW1 weapons and it would be very instructive if I could actually fire similar weapons. Obviously I would need some training and supervision and I am willing to pay for the experience. Any ideas?

Just to update, I have received the springs, very expensive postage, fitted it and all working now. Just need cylinder stop, drawn a blank so far.

I would recommend Carol Nash, I have all my bikes with them.

Thank you Enfield1940. I have ordered the springs I need, so far so good.

Thank you both for your help. I have contacted Marstar and await their reply, but I do note that their website shows these items out of stock. I have asked Helston but they do not have any of these parts.

I own an incomplete Smith & Wesson .38/200 BSR early 1942 (pre- Victory) revolver. Will some kind owner of a similar model kindly give me the dimensions of the main spring including its thickness. I have bought a few pieces of spring steel and hope to make my own. I also need a 'cylinder lock' if some one has to sell ( I would also be interested in buying an original spring). Thank you.