Ron, there is no part number stamped on the knob. Here is what I found after digging into the parts lists. From 1933 until 1947 is part number 15-5254 for the knob. Exept shortly 66-5160 for spanner version. For last year 1948 part number is 66-5165. No material specified.
Hope someone can explain this.
Thanks Kalle. So my theory is that the Bakelite knob was probably used for short period for some reason, but they never issued a different part number for it. Unless the Irish bikes were differently equipped? It must have been around 1941 according to John's findings. I always thought it was a pre-war thing. Ron
Unusually, the change to girder forks was made part way through the (1948) model year, specifically the June of that year...The 1949 model year commenced in August, when all models already had the tele forks fitted, so no girders for '49...
Of course a '48 girder fork model could have remained unsold and been first registered in 1949 but that seems unlikely when the serious post war shortages of machines and the resulting waiting lists were taken into account...
I knew someone who ordered a Matchless and was on a 2 year waiting list..When offered a new bike that had a dented tank and thus the chance to bypass the list he said he jumped at it, dent or no dent!!...Ian
My 1949 M33 sort of started life as an M20 and is fitted with girder forks. The previous owner stated that it came from Pride and Clarks so equipped. That I know means nothing regards Pride and Clarks. I have seen a few pictures of 1949 M33s fitted with girders.
This is my 1948 BSA M21 YM frame number despatched 22nd June 1948 matching numbers, so I assume one of the last of the Girder/rigid M series BSA,s. 1949 M series should have a ZM frame number and as far as I know had tele forks, I had a 1950 ZM with tele,s never seen a ZM front frame with the long front down tube for girders though ? Dave