Ron

These three shots should give you the gist of it I think. The only holes I think you will have to drill in your mudguard, are the two at the very rear bottom for the cross bar support that is spaced off. The four other brackets are just flat with the appropriate bends/slots/holes. I can make other measurements if required. However the bike is parked right in the corner. Ron

Andy I have these NOS pannier frames for sale £140 No pitting just surface rust from storage, one corner popper is missing. Or this other set (grey) which I don't recognize? But can be made as lookalikes £50. I might be able to sort some original bags out, but all are well used and not cheap. Otherwise you can buy good repro bags from Schipperfabrik . http://www.schipperfabrik.com/store/ Ron

Yes the rod is correct with just a short cable. Brian Tillin makes exact repros in stainless for about £60. Let me know if you want his contact details. Ron

Thanks Steve. I think my bike also bears little resemblance to it's early specification and was probably modified throughout it's WD life. I'll ponder the lever issue, but probably leave it as it is now....No arguing that the pressed type are G3L! I bet you didn't save me some cake? Ron

Interesting comments Steve, and I'd appreciate your further information. My G3L has frame number 20399, which is from the first contract I believe. I purchased the bike from the family of a fellow local MVT club member (Norman) who sadly died about 7 years ago.( I have stencilled his name on the bike in his memory) As far as I know he had owned the bike for 25-30 years, and was not the type of bloke to change anything.....Just maintain and ride!! These are the nice levers that were on it and which I have just removed. In your opinion are these levers just something that have been acquired since the war? Am I now correct with the pressed steel type? Regards Ron......and congratulations BTW!

Well I was helping Ian all along with the 65 for 65 event and I've already booked the camping field for 2014. But your nick name doesn't indicate who you are, but we must have met! And yes 16H's were thin on the ground. Ron Pier

Guy here is another NOS set that I recently sold. I'll lake a picture of mine from underneath later. Ron

Since the motorcycle threads seemed to have dried up! I thought I'd post a picture of my newly fitted, correct but horrible G3L levers. I had to force myself to remove the lovely brass solid levers that have been on the bike for years. Ron

Yes definitely not a good idea to use flushing oil or modern detergent oil in an old engine that has been running for a long time on mono grade non detergent oil. Ron

OK. But you will have to give me a clue about the gallery page? Ron

I agree with Retriever. Just let it idle till the oil returns to the tank........ After a full engine rebuild it can be a nail biting few minutes before the oil returns. Retriever, is your Douglas a WD bike? Picture please! Ron

You'll be very welcome to ride with us Jack. We've got the big one coming up in 2014. We're hoping to top our Guinness Book record of 144 bikes in 2009 with at least 200 WW2 Allied motorcycles.......I've already booked the camp-site. Come and visit my shed sometime. You might get some inspiration. Ron

Real pissed to have missed it this time! Especially as it left me the only DR for the Weymouth convoy on Saturday. It doesn't matter what you have heard Jack.......I still like you. We're all a bit weird........otherwise we'd probably be playing golf or something. Ron

I think 'F' might mean 'fixed cab' as opposed to canvas. Ron

Sorry Guy I can't let you have this one! His Lordship would not be amused. Ron

And I thought you were a Triumph man! Edward Turner will be turning in his grave.......Well done and good luck. See you at W&P. Ron

OK! For a minute there I thought I had an "L" buddy!! Let us know if you try one of the Indian pinions. We all worry about the quality of Indian made stuff....But they have been building Enfields for years now. I'm sure a phone call to Hitchcocks will get an honest evaluation. Ron

In my opinion the Triumph box's are the sweetest of the lot. More like a modern box than the rest. Check all the gears for chips and wear. But I expect your problem is the gear selection cam plate. I always fit a sealed bearing at the drive end. But remove the inner seal. It helps keep the oil in. Ron

What model is your bike Commander? WD/L?? Anyway the standard Enfield mag pinion part number is 18575 (probably not readily available). But Hitchcocks sell an Indian made repro for just £11. #140165 (number34 in their illustration) http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/partsbooks/pages/249/Royal_Enfield_Engine_-_Contd._(1)

It's just a breather Andy. The general consensus is to poke it in the hole in the top tube under the saddle. Any mist will then stop your frame from rotting from the inside out. Ron

Hi Andy. The stamp under your saddle is indeed the build date of the frame and is in fact "TEC" (Triumph Engineering Co). This date will only roughly coincide with the bikes manufacture. Here is the valve lifter lever. Nestled between the two rockers. Ron

Hi. Your frame number is from the last contract for the 3HW. It's the 134th bike from contract S6680 which was for 8000 bikes produced from Feb45. The contract was reduced to 5200 and completed by Sept45 . I calculate it's original census number to be C6101551. Your engine is from a slightly earlier contract S5340 in 44. I think I'm correct in saying that war economies dictated that the last 3 contracts of 3HW's where supplied with 7/8" handlebars and no steering damper. My own 3HW is from one of these late contracts.(1944) Ron

Hello Chris, long tome no hear! I doubt I'll be wearing this engine out in my lifetime, but wouldn't mind hearing the story about this other engine, or contact details. I got the stand finished and in primer, and a mate of mine has prepared me a couple of T batteries with side clips (one is for sale). But I need to get my G3 back together to free the bench up. Still waiting for my new big end flywheel assembly to come home. Apparently the job is done, but the bloke has gone on holiday before posting it back to me. I paid up front..... beggars belief!! Ron

Are you mad Tony? Do you think I am going to give you the phone number of the woman I love?? Not much has happened to the WD/L in recent weeks. I've been busy on a couple of other projects. I have rebuilt the engine and had the barrel checked for size, which only required a hone. Just got to do the final assembly, which I will do in the frame to save my gammy limbs from lifting a complete engine. Also I am welding and fettling the rear stand that Jan has made and donated to my project. More to come. Ron

There's no way you can win a war without a baseball bat and wailing sireeeen!! Ron