Hello All from Canada. I have noted various restorations of 1944 WM20s that alternatively have their engine crankcases and gearboxes painted or not painted. Can anyone tell me what the correct representation of a WM20 coming out of the factory would be? With or without paint?

email (option): steve.l@shaw.ca

Definitely not painted at the factory. Painted engines/gearboxes were mainly during post war workshop rebuilds.

Here is a row of late war bikes at the factory. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Bit of a tricky question/answer, early KM and M20's had their cases painted in silver paint, as the cast finish was not so nice, same with the KC and C10's, not sure when this practise was done away with?

Matchless had painted engines and gearboxes from the factory on some contracts, Welbikes on all of the contracts.

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@outlook.com

I get that Lex. But the original enquiry was for a 1944 WM20. But I found the best alternative to the silver lacquer that was used pre-war, is "Simonize Wheel Silver" followed by mat clear petrol proof lacquer (Rattle cans) Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Ah, yes, just for the completeness of the whole story!

Lex

email (option): welbike@outlook.com

Thank you both for this information. Its such a help to have resources such as this, especially when I'm remote in Canada!