Nice pictures of the containers!, but not one of them is for the Welbike, the were not round, see Ron's pictures for the right ones, they simply don't fit into a round one. That doesnt mean that that company didn's make those too ofcourse.
To get back on the paint stuff, there were MKI's, MKII series 1, and MKII series 2, so the brown one pictured above without a mudguard is a MKII, series one.
And that is the easy explanation! I have about 180 in my register now, and at least 50 of those went through my hands at some point of time, and always kept the best, and the ones with the best history and provenance for myself. (there's about 6 in the living room!)
Ron, when you want to re-restore yours, don't hesistate to ask for info. (but please finish my WD-C first!)
One Welbike with the rear towing attachment still exists, I have the engine here for refurbishment,
I painted my early Mk1 brown too but I have been informed by another reliable source that it should be the early khaki green.
I presume that every factory doing government contracts obtained paint supplies through the Ministry of Supply, how and when the colour changes happened at different factories would have depended on quite a few varying factors, Excelsior's Welbike production was quite small scale, I wonder what other war work they were doing which may have needed painting?
What was the frame number of the Salerno Welbike?
Rob
Rob, that Welbike has framenumber 2013 (see info above), and was not from Salerno, the MKI's were not Khaki green, but a much darker colour, have had the paint made from an original MKI from Italy (maybe from Salerno, or that neighborhood) Can spray a sample if you want.
Quick message for Steve S, can you shoot me an email, on this address. I would like to talk to you with regards to some content from the Littlewoods books.
Since this thread has been revived, here is my Welbike after I repainted it in blend of dark cammo green to match a swatch from Lex, and with the correct font and size for the census number. Ron
Henri, I just went on "Welbike UK" site and I see they are fitting the cranked valve, so it must be possible. Although not original looking, it makes them a darn site easier to pump up.(especially the rear)
The original valves were the cycle type ("WOODS" from memory) so you use an ordinary cycle pump. As it happens, my front tube is the Woods type but my rear has a motorcycle type valve. So I have to use two type of flexi connector on my cycle pump. Ron
Only way to insert that cranked valve would have required enlarging the rim hole. Instead I attempted straightening out the cranked…no comments further on that attempt. I am still kicking myself.