Based upon my analysis of Norton contracts, I'm fairly certain that Spare Parts Lists were ordered and typeset prior to delivery of the contracts so they invariably fail to reflect the changes incorporated.
C7287 seems to have included some significant changes. It was the large (17,000 machines) order which was intended to help replace the Dunkirk losses...Demand date was 25/5/1940 and delivery commenced in August. It would appear that it continued until April 1941.
The Ministry of Supply ledgers are surprisingly well-annotated for these early contracts. The changes which involved cost adjustments are as below.
The contract ran WM20 25001 - WM20 42000. Based on this and the quantities to which the amendments applied, I have added in brackets the frame numbers at which the changes seem to have occurred. The yoke plate cover amendement though is contradictory...did the last few have them again or did the book keepers allow payment for some which had already been fitted ? Which part is it anyway ?
Non supply of Yoke Plate Covers - 15,538 machines (WM20 26462)
Non supply of ballhead clips yoke complete with bushes - 16,105 machines. (WM20 25895)
Cancelling No.1 amendment
Agreeing to fitment of yoke plate covers - 1462 machines
Modifications Front Fork - 13,197 (WM20 28803)
Prop stand lug brazed to frame - 11,095 (WM20 30905)
Modification of petrol tank - 8667 (WM20 33333)
Non-supply of rubbers for footrests - 8429 (WM20 33571)
Fitment of new type of tail lamps - 6444 (WM20 35556)
Improvement of exhaust tappet wearing qualities - 6830 (WM20 35170)
Modification of crankcase shield and addition of clips - 6626 (WM20 35374)
I'm not an M20 person though and I haven't checked any other evidence such as photographs against these changes, so E.&.O.E. applies
This is the ledger excerpt for those who wish to delve deeper. The dates appear to be those at which the cost changes were agreed and are quite often after the event. I don't consider that they can be taken as the effective date of the modification.
Thank you Rik that's great information, I'm rather ashamed that I haven't done any trips to Kew and other places to do my own research.
The change from the early to later tanks seems to be confirmed by these two pictures.
Rob
WM20 33141
WM20 33382 etc
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk
That is a remarkable document, many machines from this contract ended up in the far corners of the war, were the 2118 crates for shipping the machines abroad or were they for the spare engines and gearboxes, 1700 + 425 = 2125? Is £2 4s per crate going to buy a small engine size crate or a larger one?
Rob
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk
I have picked up a second version or edition of the riders instruction book for contract C7287.
There are a few differences and this would seem to prove that all 17,000 copies weren't printed in advance of production, I havent included every suttle rewrite.
The change in oils for different temperatures printed in the later book was altered in the earlier one with glue in pieces of paper, and may stem from use of the WM20 in Iceland?, I wonder if this was the case with other makes used there?
The carbureter section has new drawings which looks like a different carb but it may just be artistic licence?
The codes in the printing data page 46 change from "C2494-10" to "C2924-10-24", does anyone have any other version?
All my scans show the later edition first.
Rob
host a picture
host a picture
host a picture
host a picture
host a picture
host a picture
host a picture
host a picture
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk