Ron

Well the previous owner never had lights on the bike when he bought it, and ran it for a year with a daylight MOT. But he acquired this NOS 8" headlamp which he has passed on to me. Ron

Since this bike has already been mentioned on this forum and I have now collected it from Cambridgeshire. Here are a few pictures. The bike was last used in 1986 by the previous owner. He stripped the engine in that year and hasn't touched it since. There are lots of original features as well as a few wrong bits. The original paint on the inside of the chain case seems to be Khaki Green. I'll post updates on this thread as I progress. Ron

Are you guys aware of the Tilly register? Dedicated to the four makes plus the Austin 8 tourer. During any of your rebuilds or dismantling wrecks. If you come across a spare engine oil filler cap, please bear me in mind. Mine has a plastic one from a BMC A or B series, which has been on it for the 22 years I have owned it, and is really bugging me. Ron

Well with the parts Jan makes. It will be the correct MCR1. Ron

That picture was taken a couple of years ago during the rebuild Steve. Do you recognise this one? Today's sunshine inspired me to get an MOT in anticipation of the imminent riding season. Ron

Yes the Norton 16H and Triumphs used this clamp to the frame type MCR1 regulator. Jan from this forum can convert your standard type to the tube type. Here is my 16H and one of my Triumphs. Ron

One of my bikes needs an MOT and two more looming up. But I'm waiting for the politicians to decide if they're going to make historic vehicles exempt or not. So far they seem to be toying with three dates:- pre 1920- pre 1945- pre 1960. Ron

Yep, one of those Russian Urinals. Much favoured by German re-enacters. Ron

Is there a BS number on that tin of paint? 298? Why wouldn't he produce British olive drab? Ron

Well we've seen Lex lift the wheel with his ATS girlfriend aboard. We've also seen him drive the outfit from the chair and also seriously bend his forks. No! Don't trust him. Ron

Any British auto paint supplier should have the recipe for mixing a BS colour. But I would use one of the firms who are familiar with our hobby. Like:- Cromadex, Firwood, Frank Burberry. Personally I find Firwood paint the nicest to use. It's available from "Jeep Parts UK" but for some reason they don't stock brown. Lack of demand I gather. I might try Firwood direct. Ron

Jenkinov and Jimhull. I would save your money if I were you. The chances of finding any war time history are virtually nil. There might be some post war info in the Key Cards. You can get that information free on the BSA WD M20 site. Just ask the question with your frame and Engine numbers, someone will tell you if there is anything to know. Ron

Well done Graham. That looks like fun and you've done a good job scratch building it. My first Big 4 side-car was a reproduction and made to original drawing but from 3/4" ply. Then a friend found this original in India, which I shipped home. However it was in a sorry state. Unbelievably the timber is plained 1" thick hard wood. I bought 1" Ash and had it plained which gives a thickness of 7/8" to match the original timber. My neighbour who was a cabinet maker repaired it for me. Two strong men can just about lift the body. No wonder the original side-car set up calls for a 2" tow in. Ron

Graham, a WD/C hauling a Big 4 chair? You want be entering any speed trials then Ha Ha! Ron

Hello Adrian. It was indeed Nigel Ward who supplied me with the base part. Unfortunately he doesn't have the other part to copy. Also by studying the sparse information. It looks like the cup for truck installation is different than a carrier cup. Or at least there were different MK's. Cheers Ron

Hi I have this No 11 set wireless in my 1940 Morris PU. I'm looking for any information and pictures regarding the No1 toothed type aeriel base as used in this installation. I already have a replica of the base plate, and the top mushroom shaped insulator, but I need to replicate the upper tooth cup part. Thanks in advance. Ron

Thanks Ted for passing on your knowledge. Some 499 that I have used does indeed have a reddish hue to it. I'll check what's out there before committing....... Go bless Mrs Windsor! Ron PS. Has anyone had experience of Frank Burberry paint?

There is loads of useful information in "British Forces Motorcycles" By Orchard and Madden. It's really worth searching out a copy on the internet. But to answer your question briefly, the following is a guideline. The standard pre war finish of parade ground Bronze green (or RAF blue). Was not suitable. So at the start of the war the WO directive called for a mat Khaki Green. Around 1942-43, the colour was changed to Earth Brown, and in 1944 the colour was again changed to Olive Drab. Of course there were no hard and fast rules as older colour paint stocks were used up or mixed with newer colours. Ron PS does anyone know the BS paint code number for Earth Brown. I fancy doing my WD/L this colour. I have some BS 499 which I've always known as Service Brown?

Well they had lots of those 1200cc UL's in SA. Ron

On closer inspection Lex. You are right. I can see the tops of the fork springs in the gloom. It was the horn that threw me. It looks more like an Indian horn. Didn't they have a tendency to fit the horn under the headlamp on a WLC and over the top on a WLA? Ron

Ha Ha. I kind of like the guessing game. I feel I probably know you Wolfie! Ron

J, It's all very well having a rare vehicle. (My Morris is one of only two known) But sometimes it's nicer to have something in common with other guys to share things with. I haven't got the bike home yet. I have a mate with a van who has offered to take me the 8 hour round trip to collect it. Which wont happen for a couple of weeks. The thing is, I love vehicles! It's just that I hate bloody driving these days!! However it's my turn to drive today, to the VMCC jumble at Shepton Mallet. Ron

I haven't worked out what the secrecy is all about on here? Perhaps I should change my name to 325X19?? RON!!

I also have a W/NG. Mine is from contract S4554. I must agree that it would be a shame to impede your sporty W/NG with that mock up Big4 chair. The only side-cars that I have seen on W/NG's are these home made looking jobs issued to home guard. Ron

Now don't be so cynical Rik! We all know it was the WLA that won the war. Along with the Enigma machine that was captured by the Yanks. Ron