Can Anyone help Me identify the drab green shade please & where is the best source in the U.K ?

Would Landrover green be close ?

Thanks in advance ,

Stephen ..

email (option): s.foster11@blueyonder.co.uk

The late war colour that was instigated in time for the invasion was British Olive Drab (BS 298) Prior to that, Service brown was used (BS 499). Early bikes were Khaki Green and I don't think there is a paint code available. I make it by mixing Green and Brown together.
You can buy the paint from Cromadex (google) or most automotive paint shops. I often buy synthetic (polyurethane) in mat or eggshell from my local Rainbow Paint shop in Ferndown. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Thanks for the info Ron .
I am not worried about absolute authenticity & I imagine the finish colour varied to a certain extent . My WM20 is from 1939 incidentaly .

There is a really good automative paint suppliers in Preston & I have a friend Who has a motorcycle painting business in Leyland ..He would apply the paint for Me but I would likely need to mix it Myself as You suggest .

Could I ask the percentages You have found to be satisfactory please ?

Thanks in advance ,
Steve ..

email (option): s.foster11@blueyonder.co.uk

As said often before the mixing percentages for KG No. 3 are on the website, with the Humbrol modelling paint you can make a perfect sample.

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@xxxbike.net

Here is the article that Lex mentions.http://www.wdbsa.nl/colour.htm
You can mix the Humbrol paint to get a colour swatch to give to your paint shop to match.

In my collection I have several shades of Khaki by mixing green and brown at ratios of 25-75 or 50-50 or 75-25. I suggest you buy a couple of litres of each and experiment with three coffee jars........That's how I do it

Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Thank You Ron .
Most kind ..I favour the last "Olive drab" .

I am negotiating with "Cornucopia Enterprises" for correct handlebar control levers at the moment .. is there an alternative supplier favoured by forum members please ?

Complete novice on WM20 , I own a 1950 B.S.A "Star Twin" , "Golden Flash" , "Shooting Star" & D1 ..had them years & years but never owned an M20 before .

Mine is in good order but I cant get used to the "desert sand" finish so I have decided to ride through the summer then strip & paint in green during the winter
but Id like to find the correct levers & valve lifter lever (both handlebar end & engine end) ?

Steve ..

email (option): s.foster11@blueyonder.co.uk

Correct levers are quite hard to find and are usually found by collecting parts at jumbles and so on to eventually end up with complete levers. I'm even surprised that Peter Long has any. I know he has very good repro pre war levers like the ones on my bike. But not cheap and I don't know anyone else with them.

You could check out Jiri's repro stuff. Again not cheap. www.vintage-replica.cz

Ron

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email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Again Im indebted Ron !
I have just spoken to Peter Long & We have come to an arrangement re the levers .
He doesnt have a genuine Mag lever .. as suggested I may have to search one out unless a member has a spare to sell ?

I am also looking for the valve lifter items (engine end) .

Stephen ..

If you are buying the pre war levers from Peter (mine are originals) The correct mag lever is the type with the single screw pivot clamp. The base part should be
quite easy to find. You then need to find the long lever. Ron
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email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Ron ,
Excuse My ignorance as an M20 newbie but what is the extra lever attached to the clutch ?

I can see the mag lever & the choke lever is naturally on the front brake side .

Steve ..

Hi Stephen...The lever to the right of the clutch lever assembly is the adv/rtd lever...

The large brass lever on top of the clutch lever is the valve lifter..

The air lever is on top of the front brake lever....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

It's as Ian says. What type levers are you actually buying from Peter? Just so as not to confuse you with duff information. These levers on mine are known as pre war BSA levers and would probably have been used on early WD M20 contracts, until economies and standardisation called for normal levers. These even come with a hand brake for side car use in the form of a small ratchet button on the front brake lever. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Ron ,
The brake lever I am having has the ratchet described & the air lever ..also the
screw holes to accept switch .

The clutch also has the screw holes but does not carry the mag lever .
I am not yet certain if the valve lifter comes with this ?

The trouble is My parts book is so faint I cannot see details & as I have never owned an M20 or have seen many I am at a disadvantage ?

hence the questions .

Steve ...

The pictures Ron has posted show the correct levers for your 39 M20 and what you are buying should be the same...Most commonly referred to as BSA 'combination levers'....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

I can't remember ever seeing these levers in an M20 illustrated parts book.
I see Peter has these original parts listed on his website, which are a long way off complete levers. But I thought he did the whole thing in reproduction?? The brass lever in front is the valve lifter that sits on top the clutch. I'll ask him what he actually has. Ron

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email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Hi Ron...They are shown in the 1940 BSA illustrated parts list, which is a combined civilian/military parts list...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Thanks Ian & Ron for helping Me out .
Ron , I would be very appreciative if You would please ask Peter on My behalf as
You can no doubt see I am very much "in the dark" on this matter .

I doubt (but hope) Peter supplies the valve lifter lever in that form .
The one on My WM20 is underneath & seperate from the brake lever & works by pulling ..very different to the one You have kindly posted .

I am willing to refund any telephone charge incurred by Yourself .

Regards,
Stephen ...

OK Ian I haven't got that parts list.
Stephen, I have spoken to Peter who tells me you are sorted. Best wait to see what arrives now.
He is actually going to save me a pair of those original lever blades. Mine are ok but a bit bent. As Ian will remember, I started my bike up one day in France and it was in gear, and went up the camp site on its own when I let it off the rear stand.
Funny how I always look to see if the back wheel is going round when I let it off its stand now. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com