The September issue of Classic Military Vehicle features an article on British WD bikes, written by Steve Wilson, long term motorcycling journo', but I was unaware he has any in depth knowledge of green machines. Some surprising stuff in there! The Matchless WDG3L was apparently known as the "Spitfire of motorcycles". Well, thats fair, I suppose. And I must have a look under my saddle because the "standard air cleaner" is supposed to lurk there! Disappointing stuff. An article like this could.....and should....have been so much more. Any publicity is good publicity? I suppose.

Steve Wilson had quite a good journalistic reputation at one time, I think mainly based on his six-part 'British Motorcycles since 1950' series which in addition to re-hashing the earlier accounts did include conversations with those who had worked in the factories and a sharp look at the politics and economic conditions which brought down the insustry.

He also wrote though for a number of magazines and it became clear to me at least when he detailed a trip through Africa on an Ariel that mechanically, including understanding the basics, he really wasn't that experienced...that he could write a good story but from a technical point of view, he would generally be relying on previous accounts or what he had been told, rather than hands-on experience.

CMV seems to include something motorcycle every now and then to move copies in W.H. Smiths....but a general article from a jobbing journalist is never going to appeal to the specialists.

As someone who was a regular contributor inthe 1980s of technical articles to the old bike press I both sympathise and despair.

The then editor(s) liked my stuff because they found it hard to find anyone with practical knowledge capable of turning in good copy.

I stopped buying the old bike press when a so called expert, on far better money than me, could not distinguish between an alternator and a magneto among several other howlers in the same article.
It will only get worse.