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Re: Australian history for wm20 72312

Thanks Rob, cheers Wal

email (option): wjlovell53@gmail.com

Re: Australian history for wm20 72312

Service records don’t exist for motorcycles, and the factory ledgers for this contract (C/13290) do not exist (anymore?). But we can give you some general information about your bike:

Contract C/13290 was a contract for 10.000 bikes (5000 RASC, 5000 RAOC). Frame numbers were #71818 - #81817. There were two blocks of census numbers: C4752401 - C4757400 and C4860801 - C4865800. Your bike is the 495th from this contract, the British census number would have been C4752895. Production of this contract started at the end of November 1942, @ 400 bikes per week (approximately). This means that your bike must have left the factory in December 1942. (I've added a picture of a "sister bike", which must have rolled off the production line one day before your bike).

C4752493
C4752493-2

WM20.72312 was then transferred to the Australian Forces, where its was given a new (Australian) census number 90068. This number can indeed be found in the AWM ledgers, without further information.

Schermafbeelding-2023-02-14-om-09-51-39

email (option): wd.register@gmail.com

Re: Australian history for wm20 72312

Thank you Jan, that is interesting and valuable information,cheers Wal

email (option): wjlovell53@gmail.com

Re: Australian history for wm20 72312

The right hand column confirms that the authorities had it listed as a 1942 WM20 with 54" wheelbase and 3.25x19 tyres.

The red annotations show that the machine above was disposed of via the large motorcycle dealer Hazell & Moore, and the machine below went to ALFSEA (Allied Land Forces South East Asia) presumably after 1944. Unfortunately nothing for 72312.

Re: Australian history for wm20 72312

This is another one that is a close cousin with the Australian number on the tank - only 26 different in frame number.

This photo was taken in the Northern Territory and is the only period photo I have seen with what looks like it may have an Australian Bryant air filter fitted.



Ray

email (option): rays54@hotmail.com

Re: Australian history for wm20 72312

Thank you Rick and Ray, it is great to get any information,
I would like to find one of those air cleaners , Ray
Cheers Wal

email (option): wjlovell53@gmail.com

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