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