Hi All
Could some kind knowledgeable person put me straight on the the fitting or otherwise of a fire extinguisher to my 1944 WM20. Was there a "proper" location for it. In forum photo's some seem to be at the rear of the offside carrier and some at the front.
Was this a wartime item or did it come later, and if so was there a number of makes or were they W.D. issue.
Thanks for any help.
John

Hi John,

There is no evidence that motorcycles carried a fire extinguisher during WW2. Someone somewhere first put an extinguisher on his bike I presume in the 1980's, when military bikes slowly became "fashionable", and some accessories such as pannier frames, Vokes filter, extinguisher etc look very "military" to the average spectator, even if they're not correct (extinguisher) or only used from 1942 onwards (panniers), or hardly used at all (Vokes). Unfortunately the use of these accessories was copied and copied and copied by other owners in such a way that some people are now convinced that they're all correct. In fact we're re-writing history here...

Just my two pennies...

Cheers,
Jan

email (option): wd.register@gmail.com

I'm under the impression that it's only done as a matter of style to bikes these days. I even picked one up for just a few dollars.

I believe that I've read some instructor training bikes had the fire extinguisher in such a rare case as but a handful had it. They were not mounted by/for regular troops in the field.

email (option): paulscutler@gmail.com

'I believe that I've read some instructor training bikes had the fire extinguisher'....


That is the case. There are wartime photos of extinguishers fitted to instructors bikes. I've yet to see one fitted to a 'standard' WD bike though and they weren't factory fitted...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

From memory, this is the only one I've ever seen. He's a Canadian instructor and it doesn't even look like a standard 'Pyrene' vehicle extinguisher. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

The forum search function can be useful on occasion !

http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=3155626639&frmid=16&msgid=1326698&cmd=show

http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=3155626639&frmid=16&msgid=1348654&cmd=show

I suspect that extinguishers were more often carried on motorcycles post-war and of course many of the 1960s demob M20s that went on into preservation rather than being ridden into the ground are likely to have had them.

The norms for M20s in particular as they continued so long in post-war service have become very much clouded by later parts and adaptations. I see absolutely no problem in portraying a post-war incarnation - these bikes guarded the peace for far longer than they were on active service...but an accurate '39-'45 portrayal can only be arrived at by studying contemporary photographs and documentation.

The fire extinguisher was fitted to many bikes used post war,but the panniers were being fitted to some motorcycles from December 1940,that is the earlyliest date I can find on any photos manuals etc,a pannier kit was supplied later on for M20,3SW,WD/C and others that were built before the panniers were fitted as standard. December 1940 dated insrution book for WNG,shows panniers fitted,other photos show later WD/CO from 1942.

Hi Steve,

Could I have a scan of the complete page please? (email address below)

Cheers,
Jan

email (option): wd.register@gmail.com

Its is best not to smoke near a dribbly M20.

Strict adherence to this rule negates the need for a fire extinguisher.

Alternatively, one could always fix the dribble.

email (option): sacombsashtrees@hotmail.com

I am dead sure I have seen period photos of home guard M20's fitted with fire extinguishers.
Not that a lb Pyrene would have done much good on a phos bomb.

A fire extinguisher would be of little use to a DR but handy on an escort bike.

email (option): bsansw1@tpg.com.au

Many thanks to Jan,Paul,Ian,Ron,Rik,Steve,Patrick and Trevor for vthe responses.
You guys have saved me a lot of bother trying to find the "right" extinguisher.
I've been combing the jumbles for a few months now on the hunt for one.I especially liked the comment about dribbling WM20's. All that said there are days when I could easily set fire to it!! I suppose I will finish it one day.
Thanks again all.
John

As a guy who once had a fire due to a backfire through the carb catching the gas on the float bowl on fire, I can say that carrying a MODERN fire extinguisher on your bike is always a good idea.

email (option): m20wc51@yahoo.com

Having experienced much the same, I never start mine without having the extinguisher within easy reach. What started off a pop and few flames had most of the tank engulfed in flames and the filler cap looking like a gas ring within 30 seconds. Extremely frightening experience !! Manged to control it by wrapping my leather bike jacket around it long enough for a mate to appear with a big jug of water to put out the flames. Started up first kick after that and we still went for a ride.

email (option): pegasus-drive@sky.com

In 30 years I've had two bike fires on the road when blowback through the carb ignited. The first time a man in a plumber's van stopped and handed me an old blanket, which wrapped it all nicely. After everything had cooled down I went on my way, gratefully, blessing the WD Enfield's solidity as I went, and being thankful my old riding gloves were as thick as they were.

The second time, years later, I had a modern fire extinguisher with me on my Matchless and again I did not hesitate for a second. No harm was done (apart from to my dignity).

The problem with even a small fire is that it causes any fuel in the carb bowl (and then the tank) to expand and vent -- and before you can say "Oh S***" it'll catch light. So you have to act fast. If you have neoprene fuel lines (as I do with a fuel filter fitted) then these can burn through, whipping around and sending burning fuel everywhere.

Allan

email (option): allanmatchless@yahoo.com

Hi,

My M-20 that I bought in a resorted condition over 20 years ago had an extinguisher fitted as shown in the photo that I can't attach?!

There is an extinguisher shown on the back of Owen Wrights BSA-M-20 Super Profile book too.

Regards
Roddy

Hi,

My bike has an extinguisher and One wrights BSA M20 & M21 Super Profile Book shows extinguishers fitted.

If you give me your Email address I will send a picture. Thanks.

Regards
Roddy

My Norton 16H spat back and caught fire twice with all the fuel that blows back on the oil tank. Both times I was quick enough to slap it out with my hand in my thick gloves. I then thought enough is enough and fitted a gauze fire trap bell mouth off an ES2. It still spits back occasionally with lots of fuel over the oil tank but luckily no flame.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

They fitted those fire traps as standard to Royal Enfield's (another good idea from RE that not not many of the others adopted). But I've also seen them several times on 16H's......Were they ever retro fitted during the war?

I wouldn't use any of the pictures from Owen Wrights book as a reference They are just pictures of someone elses "restoration". Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

It is certainly a good idea to fit one and I'm sure people did, but would the army have any kicking about they could use if most bikes just had an open bell mouth? They work on the same principle as a miners Davy lamp, the guazes stop the flame passing so won't ignite the fuel the other side.

It's got a larger diameter than the standard bell mouth and I'm sure the rivit counters wouldn't fit one

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Henk sent me this picture. I guess also retro fitted. But at least sets a precedence to fit one. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Must be to keep the flames off his "tommy gun".

I like the traffic lantern tail lamp.

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk