Ron

Yes Bryan, what happened in REME workshops is one thing, but I think the colour codes stated by the War Office for a factory finish would have been much more stringent. Very probably there could have been shade variation between paint manufacturers of course. That still happens these days at B&Q, even with modern technology. Ron

Well if you go for paint from a UK auto paint supplier (I use polyurethane mat from Rainbow Paints). The British standard numbers are BS 499 for Service Brown and BS 298 for Olive Drab. It's my understanding that vehicles mid war were Service Brown and British Olive Drab came in 1944 to fall in line with the US colours. Ron

It's not me with the wrong guard Ferg! It's Danny you need to speak to. However, I'm fairly sure that the front guard on Danny's WD/C is off a post war Triumph. Here is my WD/C and G3 for reference. Close up pictures on request. Ron

3418 must be a Villiers number. I have it on my ML and Flea carbs. Ron PS. All the war time production ML's had the engine AAAxxxxxA letters

Yes he is and he was actually here at my place last week checking on a Flea part. I'm afraid he's a bit scatty with emails so best phone him or Drew on 01189731631. Ron

Steve that would be a huge amount of spare frames to keep in stock! Over 2300 in fact. Do you think that would be a standard or necessary procedure? Or is it possible that more were built as complete bikes and the records are just missing?? Ron

I think those bottom links with the extra bit for the CO side check springs are the only ones you can get from Hitchcock's now. I've used them and just cut the extra 'L' bit off and sanded the end to a nice shape with my angle grinder. Ron

Yes this is a WD/G with rubber foot pegs, Not a WD/CO which didn't have them. Basically the G and CO engine power is the same But the G has heavier main shafts to the crank. I think the gear ratios are much the same also. But to me the G is a more pleasurable ride with heavier fork links and rubber mounted bars and rubber grips and pegs etc. Ron

I swear I glimped the sun one day last week and it inspired me and my mate Tony to ride out on Sunday to 'Sammy's' for a bacon butty. It was grey and cloudy but very mild and it's only 15-16 miles each way. On the way home my clutch lever started getting heavy and notchy and the clutch was dragging a bit. As soon as I got home I investigated the problem and found that the handlebar nipple was hanging on by one strand!! I do carry a spare, but nothing better than doing repairs in the comfort of your own workshop. Tony's newly acquired G3L is parked on the grass verge as it was leaking too much oil......A duff oil line I believe.....Roll on spring! Ron

Has Peter Long got those gears then? I thought he might have but to be honest I haven't looked yet! But this is where You and I will definitely have to agree to differ Manfred. I would happily pay that price for those almost impossible to find parts. Ron

It's a very good subject to research...... if you can get enough response. Ron

I just rubbed down the frame lug to expose number 6138 which is 1471 in front of my headstock frame number ML7619. Ron?

Best try Peter Long at Cornucopia. He's in Germany. http://www.cornucopia-enterprises.de/ Ron

Well done Manfred. This is what the strange shape yoke at the bottom looks like. Ron

OK will have to move some stuff and do it over the next couple of days. Ron

Out of interest, I just lent over mine and took a picture of the saddle tube/engine lug. I'm sure I can see a number under the paint. I will need to get the bike out of it's corner and rub down the lug for a better look see! Ron

Blimey Lex! Save me one of the best ones for next time. Ron

These repro lamps have the benefit of an ordinary 12v stop/tail lamp bulb. Easily changed for a 6v. Ron

Out of interest I just bought a cheap repro MT 110 tail lamp and I noticed that they now have an E4 stamp on the lens. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371515430371 Ron

Me and a friend bought a couple of bikes from them some years ago, and another friend bought 2-3 bikes from them last year. All these bikes were collected from them by van.......I think they've been around too long to be naughty. Ron

Well my previous post linked you to a repro you were asking for. Only £14 with free post. Ron

There's this cheapo! Listed as 'Miller' http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MILLER-TYPE-REAR-TAIL-LIGHT-WITH-FIXING-BRACKET-FOR-VINTAGE-BIKES-PUMMY-/371521383216?hash=item5680666b30:g:zMUAAOSwwPhWhRwj Ron

Here is an original (not for sale) The hole centres are 2 3/4" (70mm) Ron

AARRRRGGGGHHHH! Another sleepless night worrying about my taps!!! Nah! bugger it! All my taps are the same 26965's. I'll live with the fact that some might be 1/16" too long. Ron

Yes I just looked in my WD/D parts list and that is also 26512 (pissing down too much to go down to the shed to check other model parts lists). I can only imagine that it's something to do with the finish? I'm sure the thread sizes are all the same. More anomalies! Ron