Good Afternoon Ron
Some observations regarding the current Forum photo of 5 BSA M.20s
The two machines on the right side of the photo appear to be early machines with the speedo mounted centrally with 8” headlamps and the early rod front brake arrangement. The blackout mask may have a small pilot hole below the blackout hood. The front tyres on both these bikes would not pass a current MOT and clearing in the wet on cobbled roads may have given the soldier 4th from the left on the back tow the need for his head bandage? Note also on the front leading edge of the mud guard the unit has been painted on and none of the machines carry the early front number plate. I cannot see the speedo cable so these machines may have the speedo drive through the brake plate?
The machine in the centre has the offset speedo and drive from the chain case side so appears to be a later model then the first two. It has the Dunlop front tyre and a later type 8” blackout mask with the larger diameter pilot below the mask hood.
4th from the right has a Firestone front tyre – I have one of these on my M.20 marked with an Arrow and WD either side of the Arrow. Also famously marked ‘Gum Dipped’ whatever that meant. The 8” blackout mask appears to be the dame as the first two machines i.e. small pilot hole. This machine seem to have no speedo at all!
Finally the machine on the far left. This carries the later smaller headlamp and blackout mask with large pilot hole and the blackout securing clip. I assume all the others used the screw fixing for the blackout masks as no clips are visible. The front tyre is once again a Dunlop product and I think I detect a front brake rod assembly and possibly the only machine with a hand adjustable side damper knob.
Superb photo with plenty of variations to challenge anyone who fancies being a rivet counter.
Could you perhaps post this on the Forum Ron as an opener and bearing in mind I have been away from the WD motorcycle scene for close on 40 years please feel free to correct any errors.
All the best – Keith
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
Here's a similar one, I wonder if it was taken at the same establishment?
Rob
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk
And some Matchless's, can't quite make out the date?
Rob
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk
I suspect that Keith's photo will have been taken at Catterick Camp which was the old Signals Depot.
My dad did a (non-motorcycling) course there in 1943...The wooden huts were probably pretty standard though.
Another one, with a WD/CO, M20, 16H, M20 and...??? Small headlamp, bulb horn, reminds me of the experimental lightweights. What is this...? A BSA WB30 perhaps?
Jan
email (option): wd.register@gmail.com
email (option): ahum@quicknet.nl