As before:-
I can't think or see anything Rupert! The B20's were only ordered in 37 & 38. As you say, anything else was probably impressed and civy. The only thing I can think is that they were using up stocks of the 39 parts on WD Bikes. From memory, I'm sure my WC10 has those same links with corresponding spindles, but the bike came as a basket case, so I don't know if they are the original parts? My WB30 has the 40 pattern links and spindles (with the tapers).

BSA definitely used up older parts. For instance the KC10/11's were fitted with 34-36 forks. Ron??

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Thanks Ron, so the most likely option is that BSA used the '39 civvy type links on some of the 1940 WC10/11's before using the taper fit spindles and links. No sign of any traces of civvy black paint on the links I have though.
If anyone is in need I'd be happy to part with a pair.

I think it's quite possible that some or all of the September 1939 batches of "impressed" machines acquired from the factory were in military finish. Unfortunately, to my knowledge no details have survived of these blanket purchases. It's clear that at the outbreak of war, with the Ministry of Supply keen to put factories on a war footing and with mobilisation creating a huge need for transport, there was a scheme to "clear the decks" and use up as many parts from factory production stocks as possible.

The Norton range was much smaller and utilised shared cycle parts, but the ledgers show that Model 18s were being despatched during September 1939 and photographic evidence shows that they were in KG No.3. They were not overpainted, as all dull-chromed fasteners etc. are still visible.

If the fork links were unpainted as at 1st September then it's likely that they went through the paint shop after it had gone over to wartime production.

It's also a fact that all the 1940 model WD WC10's were supplied in August and September 1939 ( the BSA model year ran from August in the previous year.) I've had several inquiries from guys who think they have a 1939 model bike, when it's a 1940 model supplied in 1939. I guess it was a marketing strategy?

Lex was looking for KC10 top links. I can't remember if he's found some.
Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Yes, looking for KC10 top and bottom links, bought many wrong ones already, as there are about 15 types that all look the same!

Maybe you can send Ron some pictures, he might be able to identify them, and the centre to centre distance please.

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbi@@.net

Hi Lex, I'll email some pics to you of all the links I have, there are various types and all I believe are Mid to late 30's BSA, some I'm sure are C range.

Hi Rik, that all seems feasible that at least some of the bikes impressed in late '39 were finished in Khaki.
There is photographic evidence that the NFS had B series machines finished in Admiralty grey (applied either by BSA or whilst in service) so a late '30's B series BSA finished in KG3 is a realistic proposition?

Ron, I believe that all the major motorcycle manufacturers began production of the following year's model after the staff returned from the annual week's holiday at the beginning of September. The shut down allowed for any changes to tooling etc. and facilitated that stocks be built up prior to the new model launch at the November Earls Court show. Export models had to be shipped at least two months earlier to be in Southern Hemisphere show rooms by January of the following year.

Rupert, I don't have access to any B Series ledgers, but if the entries for those September '39 models show "War Office" then I'd say there is a good chance.

Does the "Engine" book survive? They usually show "Tank Finish". The "Frame" books don't carry as much detail.

Of course they wont work Lex! The KC10 has the hollow spigot spindles (Like an M20) These are what you need. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I've emailed pics of all the links I have available to Ron, sorry Lex, couldn't send to your email address.

Hi Rik, yes the engine books survive.
At a glance I count the following went to the War Office during September 1939 these all being 1939 season machines built before the annual end of season shutdown in August -
KB23 x 5
KB24 x 26
KB26 x 10
Generally the build spec. columns for these machines are ditto the preceding bikes with standard civvy features I.e foot change, single downswept pipe, solo and chrome plated tank. No references to khaki/war finish or anything other than civvy spec bikes.
Interestingly no KB21 machines were sent to the War Office, despite a handful being despatched to the usual destinations through September and October '39.
The instruction may therefore have been "we need bikes, but we don't want any old rubbish, 350cc minimum".

Rupert, I'd have to stop and think where to find the evidence, but I've seen that the private owner purchase scheme specified a certain number of makers and 350cc OHV or 500cc SV. It was publicised thus in the motorcycle press...The criteria for bulk purchases from factories seem to have reflected pre-war contracts though. The War Office had bought 250cc "Training" motorcycles from BSA and Royal Enfield during 1939.

Were the War Office KBs marked C/S ?

Hi Rik, no sign of any C/S Mark by any of the War Office KB's. What would that indicate?
From the dates of despatch to the War Office it looks like the man from the ministry came knocking on BSA's door during the annual shut-down as a small number of bikes went from 26/8/39.
Then when the workforce returned they got to grips with the job and most requisitioned machines went on or around 4/9. A few still remained, being despatched up to 4/10/39.

My assumption based on the 1939 specs is that "C/S" indicates "Chrome / Silver" so standard civvy spec.

Purchases in August suggest that they were planned. Germany didn't march into Poland until 1st September.

Have replied, please let me know if you didn't get it, then I
ll send it again from a different email, or I'll do that now anyways.

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbi@@.net

Replied. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Hi Rik, sorry, my mistake, "CS" is specified for all the KB bikes sent to the war office, the style of handwriting makes it look more like CP, which I was taking to indicate Chrome Plate.
just as an aside, around 80 KB machines were sent to Warsaw earlier in 1939, no doubt the Germans found them quite useful.