Graham

Hi

Having wanted to go the show for some years - I have booked the B&B and will be going to this year's show, BUT since everyone says it takes a few days to get around there does not seem to be a multi day ticket and tickets are day specific - why? Any thoughts?

I hate to disagree but I have put an Indian built Royal Enfield Electra X in a RE Model G modified to look like a WD/C.

'Thank you' for suggesting Mayor & Sons, Preston as a canvas supplier. I went there today - not the sunniest of chaps - greeted with a growl but he became more helpful - I was told later that I must have caught him in a good mood. Anyway he said they only have a limited supply of canvas now (Jan 2011) in bright green and bright blue. He suggested I approached military vehicle cover makers.

I did buy some olive Gortex from Feltons, Lincoln Street, off Deeepdale Road, near Preston prison. Good waterproof cloth that looks, from one side, good enough for my WW2 sidecar replica seat cover.

Feltons have some great boots for sale.

No connection just a satisfied customer.

Alex

Thank you for the offer. Also sorry about being late replying - I don't log on frequently.

I realised the Coventry sidecar was different from other examples - I put this down to the original sidecars being built in different workshops, perhaps. However as well as being keen on military bikes I also wanted a sidecar which would carry our disabled adult daughter so combining two things I built the sidecar to suit her.

Currently I am putting a new engine and wiring loom on the bike and at the same time fitting a 'non standard' twin leading shoe 7" front brake to help stop us more efficiently!

Thanks again for your offer and Happy New Year

Sorry wrong picture attached - this is a more recent one.

Alex

Thank you for the offer. Also sorry about being late replying - I don't log on frequently.

I realised the Coventry sidecar was different from other examples - I put this down to the original sidecars being built in different workshops, perhaps. However as well as being keen on military bikes I also wanted a sidecar which would carry our disabled adult daughter so combining two things I built the sidecar to suit her.

Currently I am putting a new engine and wiring loom on the bike and at the same time fitting a 'non standard' twin leading shoe 7" front brake to help stop us more efficiently!

Thanks again for your offer and Happy New Year

Thank you all for your help. Bit incapacitated at the moment but hope to contact people within a couple of weeks. Thanks again, Graham

Hi

Can anyone in the North West suggest a 'local' supplier of olive drab coloured waterproof canvas? I only need small pieces to make a rain cover for my open sidecar seat. It is a WW2 sidecar clone. Cheers, Graham

Hi

Thank you all for your very helpful advice. I have booked my B&B near Maidstone for four nights so should manage to see some of the show! Will also try to follow up some of the other suggestions - I have been to Elvington and it is a great place to visit even with out a show so combining both sounds great.

Cheers, Graham

Funny you say that about the racing - I was thinking of entering it in the 2011 Thundersprint but I probably will not have the bottle...

Thanks Chris - this is valuable advice - I will check the frame for any damage or twisting. Cheers.

Hi

I keep reading about the wonderful shows on around the UK and I have finally got round to planning to visit one (or more) in 2011 - so which is/are the best one/s? I will be a visitor rather than an exhibitor, and although I live in Lancashire I am prepared to go anywhere in UK and stay overnight/s if necessary. I have built a few motorbikes in my time and I own a 'military' 1940's style Royal Enfield C and sidecar clone but I like all machines. So any ideas please?

Thanks, Graham

Hi

I thought you would like to see my almost complete Royal Enfield WD C (replica) with a sidecar I built for it based on the example in Coventry Motor Museum. The helpful staff let me measure and photograph their example, it formed the basis of my design. The chassis is possibly a Watsonian VG21, with two half cart springs. The sidecar is now completed with a Austin 7 seat base, original mudguard and spare wheel. The body is scratch built with 18mm thick waterproof ply with aluminium sheet on the front and aluminium half round trim on the edges. The handles started life as boat grab handles modified to fit.

Currently I am changing the bike engine so it is off the road.

Advice to anyone adding a sidecar to a solo motorcycle - allow a few months for all the paperwork and inspections required by the DVLC. It can be very annoying.

Will post more pictures them I get them.

I hope this helps?

Cheers, Graham

Hi

I would like to know the colour of WW1 British troops uniform as worn between 1914-1918 on the Western Front.

A colour reference number or where I could get/buy a sample of cloth would be very helpful. I need to know the colour so that I can paint/glaze my ceramic portraits of WW1 characters.

Cheers.

Hi

I have a motorcycle convoy position rear light, with number L-WD-MOTIA stamped on the steel bracket, for sale on ebay if any one is interested. Cheers, Graham

It may help to know that if you are ever back in England there is an example of the sidecar in the Coventry Motor Museum in there WW2 Blitz gallery. Cheers.

Yes I do mean the Museum at Beverly. It would be good to have a museum on this topic. Graham

Bear with me if this has already been covered but there used to be a Museum of Military Transport in the North (Beswick?) but had to close. What happened to the exhibits and are there plans to reopen the museum? I ask because I am interested in non - fighting machines especially motorbikes. Is there another museum covering this subject?

Here we go again - the law abiding citizen gets hit by restrictive legislation and the low life can paint their hand guns pink and walk around with it?

At least all the helpful information in this discussion I now know I am safe from prosecution because my model cannon representing pre 1870 guns are OK - but the sten I was planning to make to 'dress' my DR bike is illegal. Ho hum - suppose I will have to save up to buy a deact - seems mad to me.

Thank you for the information.

I may have miss read all this but it clearly states that I can not make a replica but non functioning gun at home but I can legally buy a replica gun that someone else has made such as the dealers who sell reproduction machine guns, etc.?

Does the law also apply to model 18th Cent cannons?

Puzzled, Graham

Being new to this WW2 thing I would like to know how we can carry deactivated but other wise realistic weapons during this time when there is almost hysterical items in the press about shootings, including the current tragic case of the little boy shot in Liverpool? The press talk of police raids on 'armourers' who convert deactivated guns into guns able to fire live ammunition and a prison sentence for those having these weapons. Are we still able to 'dress' our vehicles with weapons? Your views and hopefully some informed information would be appreciated.

Graham

Hi

Being new to this WW2 thing I would like to know how we can carry deactivated but other wise realistic weapons during this time when there is almost hysterical items in the press about shootings, including the current tragic case of the little boy shot in Liverpool? The press talk of police raids on 'armourers' who convert deactivated guns into guns able to fire live ammunition and a prison sentence for those having these weapons. Are we still able to 'dress' our vehicles with weapons? Your views and hopefully some informed information would be appreciated.

Graham

Hi

Having just finished a RE WD/C I found one of the best sources of all those little bits I needed was the Netley and Beaulieau autojumbles on the weekend of 7/8/9th September this year and of course the Stafford show on 20/21st October. I think your are wise repainting - in the photos some parts seemed 'over' painted? Good luck with your project. Graham

Rich

Yes it is the later edition with, as you say, more info on the BEF. Just come back from a long ride - need to put more padding in the saddle!

Thanks again, Graham

Rich

Thanks for that. I have just borrowed a copy of 'British Military Markings 1939-1945' so beginning to realise what a complicated field this is but I like your comment about the situation post Dunkirk and will follow this lead.

Thanks again, Graham

Thank you guys - very helpful - I will give your ideas a try. I have used a glue for fixing stencils for spraying called ZIG 2 Way Glue Pen. Bought it at a local office suppliers. Worked well for my number plate. Thanks again. Graham