Hi Rob,
A special adapter was made which was pressed in the lug. Then both crashbars and the engine headstay were all bolted together with 1 bolt. Below a few photos of the front frame before I started restoration.
The crashbars, the adapter and the head stay were all specially made by BSA for the Dutch Army. The normal head stay could not be used as the elbowpiece and air filter blocked the 'normal' route for the headstay.
Regards,
Bastiaan
email (option): wdmotorcycles@gmail.com
The bikes looking great...Quite a job to put one together like this and you've done well finding what must be some very rare parts...Ian
email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com
It has been a while ago since I have posted my last update. Hereby an update on the progress of my WM21.
The WM21 is now completely disassembled in order to degrease, sandblast and spray paint all the parts. I have done most parts know, I only have to spray paint the correct Dutch Army colour on all the parts.
Originally the BSA factory directly applied the Dutch Army colour on all BSA WM21’s during the production process. The Dutch Army colour was made by the BSA factory which was based on a sample supplied by the Dutch Army.
I still have to do a lot of work on the engine and magdyno. The gearbox is almost ready, I can proceed with the gearbox when my parts are back form the plater. The oil feed tell-tale for the paneltank is also repaired and ready to use. Below a few photos of the current situation.
All the same an excellent restoration project which is going well. very well done indeed.
email (option): keithchandler@clistandchandler.co.uk
I have just started my WM21 for the first time, it went quiet ok. I had to adjust the carb and then it started on the 2nd kick. Hereby a few photos of the result.
email (option): wdmotorcycles@gmail.com
Thank you for the compliments!
I have kept the dynamo body in the condition as how I have found it. I wasn't sure what the original plating was, I thought it was cadmium. The dynamo is fully checked iot make sure it functions as it should be. All electrics function, including the original panel light.
The rubber mounted rear brake drum is not something which was standard for Dutch Army WM21's, I have a full list of all specific parts which were ordered by the Dutch Army. Rubber mounted rear brake drums are not on that list. I expect that the WM21 of Kalle's friend was taken with the German forces to Eastern Europe (as many Dutch Army WM21's ended up there). Possibly the Germans altered the rear brake drum.
A year ago I was able to find and buy a second Dutch Army M21, with matching numbers from the 1st contract to the Dutch Army. I hoped to find the original Dutch Army military number on the fueltank but unfortunately the paint was removed in that area. I found that KM21 in the Czech Republic, in the end I sold that bike and it's now being restored in the Netherlands. This bike didn't have the rubber mounted rear brake drum as well.
There are about 3 original Dutch Army M21's in the Netherlands now.
Hereby a few photos of that KM21 before restoration.
email (option): wdmotorcycles@gmail.com
The shape of the fueltank looks indeed very much the same as the later fueltank. I will compare them to see if it's the same pressing.
BSA did make an instruction book for the Dutch Army M21 and G14 motorcycle's. I have the instruction book for the M21, see photo's below. Nice detail on the one I have is that it was in the possession of the "Chief of the workshop Staff Sergeant G. van Rees". I am not sure if a specific Dutch/M21 partslist was printed, I know for sure the Dutch Army ordered individual parts based on the 1938 partslist. In a document I found in the Dutch National Archive the Army is requesting the BSA factory to send a 1939 partslist, request is dated 31 March 1939.
The Dutch Army had a small amount of M21 and G14 spare parts in stock. The parts were stocked in Delft, very near to a large workshop of the Army. These parts were provided on consignment by the BSA company, every year the Dutch Army would pay a certain amount of interest and paid for every part which was taken from the stock. After the Netherlands was occupied, this stock was 'übernommen bei Wehrmacht" as it was stated in the administration. The workshop in Delft remained in service during the occupation with a part of the Dutch civilian personnel, complemented with German personnel. See photos below of that workshop, a G14 is on the bench and the other is taken in front of the workshop.
email (option): wdmotorcycles@gmail.com
email (option): keithchandler@clistandchandler.co.uk
Keith,
The location of the speedo drive on BSA's changed in September 1939 with the introduction of the 'W' series (sometimes refered to as the '1940 model). The 'K' model (1939) had the speedo drive on the right side through the brake plate. Approx 370 KM21's were delivered to the Dutch Army till September 1939, these had the speedo drive in the front brake plate.
All WM21's delivered from the 1st of September 1939 did have the speedo drive on the left side. My WM21 is delivered to the Dutch Army in March 1940 and would have had the speedo drive on the left side.
Hereby a photo of some WM21's in use by the Dutch Army. The speedo drive cables are visible, these are located on the left side.
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email (option): wdmotorcycles@gmail.com
Thank you for sharing that Bastiaan, the front of the cover is interesting it says "Model 1939 M21", there are few references in the BSA KM ledgers for "M39-20" which may have a connection?
Rob
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk