Hi Ron, sadly I don't have one of those plates or any numbers on the tank as I assume they were removed by some French man many years a go so as the bike would no longer look like a military bike which he could not have registered for the road. I am no expert on military bikes but I have quite a few customers who quite obviously have got ex WD machines but few seem to be restored as such and it is more than usual for id numbers to have been removed and I am sure in most cases these bikes will be being used with a log book from another bike.
What I diden't understand about the numbering was the one that is usually found on the petrol tank and how it can be confirmed as being a specific number for a certain bike. Is there some records that show which bike had which number on the tanks?

email (option): mdew01@hotmail.co.uk

Each contract was a certain number of machines and the start and finish 'C' Numbers for each contract can be found from various sources...The first and last engine/frame numbers are also still in various records...So, using these numbers it's then a case of working out how far into the contract a bike is and from that the matching 'C' number (for the tank) can be calculated...That's probably how Rik will have arrived at the number he suggested for your bike...

I have one of the lights that can be converted to the correct rear light for your bike..I'll donate it 'free gratis' to the project if you want it...It's not too difficult to do and is the only way to go really unless you get lucky (very) or you're prepared to spend a lot of cash if/when an original turns up....Ian

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

Yes the numbers are recorded but they're not always straight forward. If you look back at Rik's last post, he's already had a stab at calculating yours. Ron

PS this book is our bible, which is backed up by other members who have copy's of Key Cards and Ledgers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224455892171?epid=235165543&hash=item34429d1ccb:g:axwAAOSw~X1gfY6e

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Almost correct Rik! But according to the Key Cards, WM20.6227 comes from a block within contract C/5110 where the census number is 1 off the "logical" sequence. (And there were more census number anomalies in this contract by the way!) So WM20.6227 would have had census number C3929646 on the tank. And from the factory ledgers we know that it was despatched on 2/10/39.

Jan

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

Thanks, Jan...I was deliberately a little cagey as I haven't done the detailed homework on M20s....


Here, by the way is C3929747, again confirming MT1130 and of course left hand speedo drive fitting as it's a WM.

That is a very close number Rik! And the picture was taken in France, definitely BEF!

Jan

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