Ron

I have sent you these pics Nick and you have first shout. But posting here in case they are of interest to someone else. The larger pair on the right are the earlier twill type. Left over from the cavalry days I suspect. The other pair are serge material. Both look unissued. £60 pair. Ron

Hello Smudger. Nothing carved in stone with paint colours. The official colour at that time was Khaki Green and often known as Khaki Gas Proof. A sort of battle dress colour, but with different manufacturers interpretations, anything could have happened. Around 42 the official colour was switch to Service Brown. I have found that different shades of Khaki can be produced by mixing Olive Drab and Service Brown. What sort of rear lamp are you looking for. I think I might be able to part with a NOS fag end lamp.(but not cheap). PM me with your email address for a picture. Ron

I've seen so many of these erroneously painted in Airborne markings. I rather go along with Peter Millers research. Like quite a lot of equipment that was trialed and assesed for army use and very quickly rejected. I have no say in what other do with their vehicles. It's just my opinion. Ron

Nice fun thing I would think. Please don't go the route of painting it in airborne markings. It's a civilian bike. Enjoy it for what it is IMHO. Ron

Ben have you not got Nigel Watson's "Universal Carrier" Vol 1 covers the 11 set in a MK1. My MK2 has a 19 set. But I have a WS11 in my Morris. I have original drawings which shows 2 x 6 volt batteries (wooden box's) and 2 more as back up whilst 1 pr are being charged up. So far in about 15 years I have found only two 6 volt box's (1942 and 1945) and added a 12 volt box for effect. You are correct the batteries in a MK1 are stored in the rear stowage box. If you send me your email by PM, I'll send you what info I have. Ron

Yep few and far between. There is of course the early pre pannier version shown in Steve's book. And I have these ones also. The first one appears to be a factory photo and good for off side detail. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the 3HW is probably the only British bike to leave the factory with a black exhaust? Ron

LOOM?? I think that is a bit of an over statement Ha Ha! From memory there is one cable from the mag to the headlamp and one from the headlamp to the rear lamp. Ron

12129 seems to be the last frame number for the final WO contract but even the last 1000 of these were cancelled I believe. The true engine number should be on the rear engine lug Prefixed with 'V' for Villiers carb. This was then usually followed up with a hand stamping of the frame number of the bike it was fitted too. (Royal Enfield seemed to have adopted this system to most of their models at that time). Frame number 5793 is from the same contract as my Flea S1945 demanded in 1943. Ron PS I have no records of post war numbers. Probably the REOC or VMCC for that.

Your frame number looks to be from the last 1000 that were cancelled by the War Office in 1945. It should therefore have that same saddle lug. Unless it was modified back to civy spec? Ron

Thanks Ian. It is a fact that if you concentrated on collecting just WD Enfields you could have a sizeable collection in its own right. I am part way there. But time, money, room and willpower will prevail. Coupled with the fact that some models were only produced for the WO in single figures, so not much chance of a full set I think. Ron

Yes the post war Flea was upgraded from the wartime 4" front drum to a 5" drum. But still used the same WM0 rim. As Steve says you might have a Genuine WD Flea that has been upgraded for civy use and registered after demob in 1946. I was also looking for the front saddle mount, which should be this shape. It was extended from the pre war position to enable the tool box to fit under the saddle as the carb 'mace air filter' fitted to the WD bikes took up more space. Ron

As long as you have the hub, the rest is easy. Ron

Ian you can only rub down those wheels with hours of fiddly wet and dry paper. Best to remove the spindle and bearings, bung up the hub ( I use a small piece of plywood each side clamped through the empty hub with a piece of studding). Then get them grit blasted with medium grade grit. The rubber bump doughnuts are easy. Get them from Jeff the rubber man at jeffalanhunter@aol.com Ron

No Wolfy! Where will it end. You will then have to fit disc brakes to make it stop. And lower the suspension and fit Konis for road holding... Maybe a spoiler?............Just leave it and live the dream...........But try and stay off motorways! Ron

Maybe I can help. Email sent. Ron

Good Tom. These Tilly engines are fun to take apart! The big end eye is too big to come through the cylinder and must come out the bottom way!!! I fitted new pistons after a re-bore to mine. Together with big end and main bearing shells, valves and springs and timing chain. The power now is incredible! Possibly it could pull a sick whore off a piss pot.......But probably not. Ron

Nick phone up Martyn Bratby on 01543 572583. He can bore out your worn body and make an oversize slide. Mention my name. Ron

You did well there. Central wheels quote £48 for 40 spokes with nipples. I guess there is VAT and post to add. 40 quid is a bloody good deal! I'll get you to order mine next time. Ron

I just got my guy in the New Forest to build two wheels with my own stainless spokes. He charged me £40 per wheel. Steel spokes will be over £50 set from 'Central wheels' or 'Devon Rims'. Ron

I have got the forks assembled and after some tweaking with the wheel rim offsets, the wheels are in the middle of the frame and the rear follows the front in a straight line. Ron

See you there Lex. Parcel from Silvermans arrived today! Ron

Lex, how can you be where you were? When it's a different site altogether?? Ron

Yep! It's your bike. Do what you want I say. All the better if you pay respect to a family member or friend. Ron

We need to wait for Steve (WDBIKEMAD) to respond. He should give you chapter and verse regarding uniforms and insignia. Ron

Absolutely! A DR (Despatch rider) (or is it Dispatch??) was part of a signals unit and would have worn the winged wheel patch on his left forearm with the initials DR and the white over blue arm bands that gave him priority over other traffic. But I would guess far more motorcyclists where busy with all other units Armour/Infantry/artillery/REME etc etc. These bloke would have been on convoy and traffic control as well as 101 other duties. Their winged wheel patch would have born the initials MC (motorcyclist) . Nice touch to get your bike/uniform into your old Granddads unit markings. Ron