Hello All,
First post on this forum, I'm Niek and I live in Belgium. I've been in the military vehicle scene since a few years (Mainly WW2 Dodges). Now i've just bought a BSA WM-20. My first motorbike, never rode one before, so it's all very new to me.
i'd like to know some more about the history of this bike.
It has an overhaul plate on the toolbox, unfortunatly not dated.
Can anyone tell me more about this bike? (Contract number, Date of delivery, Census Number, Keycard if available,..).Also looking for a pillion seat, pannier frames ( and pannier bags) and rear cargo rack.
Here is the information i have:
Frame number: WM2033470
Engine Number: 20465WM
here are some pictures of the bike and overhaul plate.
https://picasaweb.google.com/100803113419119628822/BSAWM20?authkey=Gv1sRgCKGe2MyDj9WKZQ
Any info is more than welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Niek
email (option): niek.baecke@telenet.be
Hi Niek,
I see you also have the rare Oil Tell tale on the timingcover and the rubber mounted handlebar!. And if your bike also has the groove for the rubber around the clutcharm pivot in the gearbox outershell, and the timing cover with the hole in top for adjusting the magneto pinion then you have a lot of the early hard to find parts.
Original 8" headlamps are becoming rare but can be found. There are also replicas on the market and you already have the correct CZ27 ammeter in your smaller lamp.
I think there are some small differences in the long and short field stand besides the length but feel the longer can be used to make a short one either to adapt it or make a new standtube. I believe the hard to remake bits like the swivel and clamp are almost identical except for a small difference in the turning stroke.
The seat spring assembly can be seen on the picture, at the bottom of the spring there is a one-piece eyebolt with thread to adjust the spring and the eyes which takes the horn.
The plate in the toolbox (or complete toolbox) could not be the original as the framenumber does not correspond. or could it be a date like Sven suggests??
Would like to see the other side pictures, , Michiel
PS- I suggest to get Henks WM20 DVD, Loads of info and lots of original pictures also from the early ones. Can be found on the for sale page on the website
email (option): m.wijbenga@hotmail.com
Hi Niek,
I see the bike has good company!
Yes you have the early timing cover with inspection hole. And you have the later type toolbox with the ball ended screw instead of the round pressed one on this picture. But I am not sure when most changes are made so could also be correct. Maybe some other forummembers will know.
Anyway, all details but I think this bike is easily brought back to the correct early specification if you want to. I believe the right color should be Khaki Green No. 3. Regards, Michiel
PS. If you look at the picture you can see the correct route for the lower part of the fuel pipe: close behind the barrel.
email (option): m.wijbenga@hotmail.com
Hi all,
Anyone that could tell me something more about the census number, date of delivery, contract number or post war history of this bike?
thanks,
Niek
email (option): niek.baecke@telenet.be
Niek, I'm not a BSA specialist and can't give you anything on the post-war history but I have some fairly good contract records.
WM20 33470 was built under Contract C7287 (WM20 25001 - 42000 / C4341593 - C4358592. This was the biggest of the wartime contracts (17000) and was placed to replenish the Dunkirk losses and to supply the forces in the Middle East.
This means that yours was 8469 into the contract and originally carried C4350062
Henk might well have a factory ledger showing despatch date. They started delivering this one on 24th August 1940 and by November 14th had delivered 4800. I'd put yours at somewhere around late January / February 1941 on that basis.
Interestingly, by this time the larger fuel tank was no longer being fitted and there is a slightly mottled print which shows C4350047 and C4350086 - There is a good chance that your bike is in this photo but not visible.
I'll add the photo in a moment.
Alstublieft :-
Andrew, I don't think that's camo as it's on the floor as well. I'd suspect mould or watermarking on the photograph...really serious mould that I wouldn't want to breath in if it's eaten into the glass negative...
My Norton has Light Green No.5 in a diagonal pattern as the remains of the finish were still visible and it didn't see service after 1940.
The contrast between KG 3 and LG 5 is not that great. The disruptive pattern is more distinctive using Dark Green No. 4, as per the tank on the French M20 posted yesterday.