MJL75 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Hello all, I'm Martin from Worcestershire (UK) and I am the proud new owner of an unrestored WD/CO 350 from 1943/44. Jan (rewdco) has very kindly helped to find and secure the bike for me from Belgium where it had been imported from Denmark in the not too distant past. Originally I was in contact with Jan to see if I was correct in my identification of the bike, which is in an undated photograph that has recently come to me of my late father working on it (1950's?). I was also keen to see if it was identified in the WD350 database, unfortunately it looks like my fathers bike has likely gone to the scrapyard at some point. I've had an interest in classic cars and motorbikes for as long as I can remember having had a 57' Morris Traveller, 85 Metro, 75 Triumph Toledo, 67 Honda C200 to name a few. This is the earliest motorcycle I have owned and I am looking forward to 'oily rag' restoring the bike to retain its history and patina. I would appreciate any help or advice and to virtually 'meet' other owners and enthusiasts of these fabulous bikes! Thanks, Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootes75 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Superb looking bike, what a good project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rewdco Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Glad to see you here Martin! 😃 Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Hello Martin. If Jan has confirmed it as 1943/4 and not a Royal Enfield factory post-war rebuild, then someone has re-painted it black. Therefore it has lost it's original finish and any "patina" that there might have been. I guess you want it to replicate your Dad's bike though? I can understand that. I just have a problem with "patina" (rust). Good to meet another enthusiastic CO owner. I'll watch with interest. Regards Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL75 Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Hi Ron, Jan told me the following about the bike; "The engine with a “duplicated frame number” was despatched from the Redditch factory on 30/03/1944, to the War Office in Ketley, as part of contract C/12425. Its census number would have been C5108727 (this was the number on the petrol tank). The frame was despatched from the Redditch factory on 15/10/1943, to the War Office in Sheffield, as part of the RAF contract C/14219. Unfortunately the RAF census numbers are unknown. So this is a genuine WW2 bike, which has been civilianized shortly after the war, and exported to Denmark (this must have happened in 1946 according to the paperwork)." I understand that the refurbished bikes from the factory were painted black for export? Thanks, Martin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 (edited) Well we could be "CO" buddies Martin! Mine is also from RAF contract C/14219, and like yours was fitted with an engine from a WD contract. However I recently acquired the correct crankcase for our contract from a very nice Dutch guy, and have rebuilt my engine into those cases. As Jan says, There is no WW2 list of RAF census numbers, but I was lucky enough to make contact with an RAF museum archivist who has some post war records which has a bike with a frame number next to mine and a reasonable presumption that mine would have the number shown on my tank. Cheers Ron PS This is the only picture that I know of so far of a CO from RAF contract C/14219 Edited August 24, 2020 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL75 Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 That's a fabulous picture Ron, do you know where it was taken? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 No I don't Martin. But here is a grainy version with a caption. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rewdco Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 2 hours ago, MJL75 said: Hi Ron, Jan told me the following about the bike; "The engine with a “duplicated frame number” was despatched from the Redditch factory on 30/03/1944, to the War Office in Ketley, as part of contract C/12425. Its census number would have been C5108727 (this was the number on the petrol tank). The frame was despatched from the Redditch factory on 15/10/1943, to the War Office in Sheffield, as part of the RAF contract C/14219. Unfortunately the RAF census numbers are unknown. So this is a genuine WW2 bike, which has been civilianized shortly after the war, and exported to Denmark (this must have happened in 1946 according to the paperwork)." I understand that the refurbished bikes from the factory were painted black for export? Thanks, Martin Your bike has not been rebuilt by the factory Martin. It does not appear in the ledgers with a second despatch date, and it does not have "matching numbers" (which all the factory rebuilt bikes did have, albeit with a restamped duplicated frame number on the engine. This number was stamped with an easy to recognise number set.) It must have been rebuilt by a dealer (this was also very often the case). Black or maroon with gold lining were the most popular colors in those days. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 What about a possible UNRRA connection, Jan ? Haven't you seen before that there were WD/COs supplied in Northern Europe ? Rebuilt Home Office stocks would be a candidate for that and could explain the mix of Army and AM contracts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 According to O&M, contract C/14219 were sent to RAF Sandtoft in North Lincoln, which was part of Bomber Command. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Sandtoft Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL75 Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 I have a few questions if I can ask please; *I think the headlight body and lense are incorrect- is this from a model G? *There's something missing from both sides of the fork here, is this a problem? *The speedo is in a poor condition, not sure its correct either, is this worth saving? *The levers on the left hand side of the handlebar are ignition and exhaust lifter? However there is no lever on the right for the air lever, I guess this has been lost? *Is this button supposed to be the horn? I can't see an entry on it for wiring... *The drivers handbook mentions two fuel taps, however there is no pipe work for the right hand side, should there be? Also the air filter body is empty, I couldn't see a specification for what this should contain? *Lastly, are springs individually available for the saddles? Sorry for all the questions, but I do appreciate any answers I receive. Many thanks Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Probably easier if I post some pictures and descriptions. Headlamp is a Lucas DU42 with WD 4 position switch and Lucas CZ27 ammeter. Handlebar controls are standard Amal. You are missing the fork side damper knobs and spring stars. Hitchcocks are the best firm to deal with and have good illustrated on line parts lists. https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/ But a lot of the original Lucas and WD parts have to be hunted out. Saddle mattress springs in lots of sizes available here:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Motorbike-Mattress-Saddle-Seat-Spring-8-Long/182935225976?hash=item2a97ca0678:g:g04AAOSw75BeLGTS Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rewdco Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, Ron said: According to O&M, contract C/14219 were sent to RAF Sandtoft in North Lincoln, which was part of Bomber Command. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Sandtoft Ron Don't know where O&M got this info from Ron... According to the factory ledgers the RAF contract bikes were despatched to these destinations: Barton: 2 Canterbury: 1 Carlisle: 314 Derby: 172 Glasgow: 61 Handforth: 308 Hartlebury: 442 Liverpool: 1 Manchester: 2 Qudegeley: 314 Sheffield: 1207. Edited August 25, 2020 by rewdco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 PS. Correct flame trap carb filter, correct petcocks and the right hand side of the two into one fuel pipe. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) Blimey Jan, do you have frame numbers to go with those locations???? Ron PS Sheffield is quite close to RAF Sandtoft. I wonder if they were sent to a depot at Sheffield before Sandtoft. Never the less, it seems and awfull lot of CO's for one airfield, unless it was the dispersal point? Edited August 25, 2020 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 RAF vehicles were usually delivered to M.U.s (Maintenance Units) rather than direct to operational units. Hartlebury (No.25 MU) crops up a lot. Handforth was 61 MU, Qudegeley No.7. Sheffield is difficult to pin down though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rewdco Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 2 hours ago, Ron said: Blimey Jan, do you have frame numbers to go with those locations???? Ron PS Sheffield is quite close to RAF Sandtoft. I wonder if they were sent to a depot at Sheffield before Sandtoft. Never the less, it seems and awfull lot of CO's for one airfield, unless it was the dispersal point? Hello Ron, Your frame was despatched from the factory on 17/07/1943 to the War Office in Derby, and your engine was despatched on 02/06/43 to the War Office in Sheffield. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rewdco Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 22 hours ago, 79x100 said: What about a possible UNRRA connection, Jan ? Haven't you seen before that there were WD/COs supplied in Northern Europe ? Rebuilt Home Office stocks would be a candidate for that and could explain the mix of Army and AM contracts. Don't think so Rik... I have found some UNRRA bikes in Eastern Europe, but not up North... Denmark was a very important export market for the British motorcycle industry in the years before and after the war! I think the bike must have been rebuilt by one of these dealers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 For £110 I could have another Indian 741! Or for just another £5, I could have it in Maroon enamel with gold pin stripes.......The mind boggles. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL75 Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 On 8/25/2020 at 5:52 PM, Ron said: PS. Correct flame trap carb filter, correct petcocks and the right hand side of the two into one fuel pipe. Ron Hi Ron, What is this green box? Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 It's a tool box as fitted to earlier models. They were deleted after the first contract WD/CO and strictly speaking it wouldn't have been fitted to mine. But I just didn't like the ugly gap and the "Wing Commander" said it was ok for me to fit it!!!😉 Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL75 Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 Ah, makes sense now 🙂 Still struggling to make sense of the handlebar controls (I'm guessing I'm missing something?) and the speedo - what have I got and is it worth saving? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 Martin I think you have a few continental items fitted....... pillion saddle- speedo- horn push- air filter. A broken dip-switch and your combination mag/decompresser is similar to the one fitted to Ariel's. Personally I don't think the speedo is worth saving. You would be better to put your money toward a correct period or WD type Smiths chronometric speedo. Ariel pictures attached! Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Your headlamps incorrect also, it’s similar to a DU42 but it has the underslung side light type thingy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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