Ron

That'll be good Steve. A nice little wrens outfit would fit the bill for Vee. You know the ones that have to be hitched up to expose the stocking tops when climbing on board. Does she know about the camping malarkey? The excitements in tents!! Ron

Jack, send me the frame and engine numbers before you buy it. Some pictures would be good also. Ron

Yes the RAF did use quite a few India 741's. In fact lots were supplied to the allies under the lend lease scheme but they were mainly issued to the lower echelon units as they were not well liked by our blokes. I have most makes in my collection and I seem to like different aspects and features of all of them. I love the antique look of the 16H and I would say that it a slightly faster bike than an M20. The Triumphs are light and lively with lovely gear box's. The Matchless's again are very lively with quite nice box's but some of the design features leave me speechless. The Velo's are just quirky and hand built and very sporty once you have them set up correctly. The Ariel is a very good all round bike with every thing more or less as you'd want it. Royal Enfield's seem very under rated. I really like riding my CO especially for convoy work, however the gearbox is not my favourite. For sheer durability and reliability you'd have to go a long way to beat an M20, however they would be better if fitted with a Triumph gear box and clutch. I also personally prefer a gear driven magneto as opposed to a flaying chain. Finally I never go for a ride on my Indian......I always go for a wobble!! Ron

Well pop in next time you're near Poole and get a look at some. Ron

They are very pretty bikes Jack and great to ride. I just hate working on them.

No problem Jack. We'll be pleased to have you, and it's more exhilarating than driving a Jimmy.........You will have to get your hair cut though. Ron

Sorry Billy. All bikes attending the Guinness record event, Will have to be WW2 allied forces in military trim. You have 2 years to re-paint it. Just lean it against a wall and chuck a bucket of paint at it. I have been told that this is the way it was done??????? Ron

Frame number TL58125 is from the very last contract S6680 which was for 8000 machines Feb44- Sept45, but was reduced to 5200 bikes. I calculate that this is the 4708th machine and would have had tank census number C6106125. There is probably a frame build date on the frame under the saddle which will read TEC (Triumph Engineering Co) with a date something like 944 (Sept 1944). Engine number 3HW 59329 is from a slightly earlier contract S5340 June44-Oct44. Ron

I have been told that these cans fit inside the 14"-15" spare wheels of VW vans and Bugs. Ron

Erm! That's what I said? Ron

Mainly from my Dutch and Belgium rivet counter friends. Ron

Also I'm sure the markings are on both sides of the tank. I have seen them painted on the front guard instead of the tank though. Isn't this a great picture? Ron

You might have to wait for 79X100 to pick up this thread for more information on RASC/RAOC. He's a right bleeding rivet counter!!! But where would we be without the likes. Ron

Absolutely great to have some colour pictures for paint scheme reference. But not pre war! These BSA M20 census numbers C434**** are from a contract demanded in 1940 and completed in 1941. Ron

Here is my Enfield WD/CO from an RAF contract.......with made up number! Ron

Well since you have probably got to make it up a bit. There would be nothing wrong in marking it as RAF. Again, no records survive regarding the numbers. But here is an original pic of W/NG's with the RAF. Note, sometimes a roundel is applied to the tank. The bikes supplied to the RAF throughout the war were supplied in exactly the same livery as a WD bike ( service brown or olive drab). Ron

Yep, that's dan souf to us. Poole actually so couldn't get much soufer. Well there will be a few WW2 bikes on display at W&P and most guys are happy to talk about their vehicles. You could also have a look at the BSA WD M20 site, where you can talk about or ask questions about any WD bike. You have 2 years to get prepared for our DR tour in 2014 (70th) in Normandy. Were we are hoping to beat our Guinness record of 144 allied motorcycles in 2009 with at least 200. http://www.wdbsa.nl/Henk.htm Ron

Are you in UK James? What area? Maybe I can point you to someone for a look see? Nothing like being a DR! Beats walking. Ron

Just take the pill and buy one. It's really the only book you'll need. Ron

All production from 1940-1945 was focused on military motorcycles. Go on line and see if you can buy a copy of 'British Forces Motorcycles 1925-45'..... Ariel, BSA. Matchless, Norton, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Velocette and more. Ron

Well it's nothing original from WW2. I can't see the engine. but I'd say it's just a modern mock up. Ron

Good point! I had one of these and was told it fits in the well of a spare wheel of a lorry????? Ron

Well done with the above Rik! As always, far more precise and complicated than I could do. So there you go VDL! In my opinion you might as well use any number you like from that contract. Just the same as dressing the bike up with unit markings, like say your Granddads old unit. It's artistic Licence. Let us know your thoughts though. Good luck Ron

Well using O&M as a reference. Your frame number is the 880th bike built from that contract of 3000. So I calculated your tank number to come from the first batch of 1500 (C4590305). No one will no the history of your bike, so forget that! This contract is also further complicated with some machines being diverted to RAF/RN. It's all a bit guesswork and artistic licence. If you think your bike might be the 880th from the second batch of numbers? You can calculate it accordingly. But I don't understand your reluctance to have a tank number that starts with 4? I was hoping Steve might pitch in with better info. Ron

They bolt directly through the mudguard stay, along with the toolbox bracket on the O/S. Ron