The above photo shows Harry Wright. Owner of the photo says he was in the RAF but he looks like army to me. Rear of the photo is dated 1942 Written on the rear is ..Taken in Wallingford....Look Out and DR...April. That's all we know. It was suggested that I try this forum as I was told that there is someone here who might be able to identify the bike and its history Cheers.
A BSA. Almost certainly the 500cc M20 Model. This was built in very large numbers and was used by all three services. This one has an army number on the fuel tank. Mike
Just to confirm, indeed a BSA WM20 with the earlier large fuel tank. WD (army) census number on the fuel tank looks to begin 'C435****' which would put it in the latter part of contract C7287, the largest of the wartime contracts (17000 machines) which was placed to make up the losses involved in the fall of France. I'd say late 1940 production and the photo certainly not later than early 1942 as it has the black manilla paper blackout mask which was soon replaced by proprietary steel versions
Well done Mike and Rich. Please forgive my ignorance of early bikes, but I see that this model appears to have a springing arm type front fork assembly, can you tell me when they started to Substitute the more modern Telescopic Forks ? Regards Tom
Most of the British machines had 'Webb' type girders (which had replaced the 'Druid' type' seen on many WW1 photos). BMW fitted telescopic forks prior to WW2 and Jock West who worked for Matchless during the war had ridden for BMW during the 1930s.(He finished second to Georg Meier at the 1939 TT, both on BMWs)...He pretty well pinched BMW's design to fit to the G3/L Matchless which first appeared in 1941. Other manufacturers submitted designs with either their own forks or Matchless 'Teledraulics' but WD contracts continued to specify girders. Post-war civilian production continued for most manufacturers at least, with girders for a year or two and teles by 1946/47. Girders are quite nice to ride with actually and have the advantage that the wheelbase doesn't shorten under braking (not that most bikes of this era have much in the way of brakes). They are however, almost undamped apart from friction and do tend to patter at speed over rough surfaces. Things get interesting over large ridges too.
Ha You are such a Geek Rich I though you may be able to help the OP which is why I told them to post on here. Shame you can't work out Army or RAF etc though.
Hi Andy, Not an RAF marked motorcycle and unlikely a RAF DRLS rider unless in sloppy undress mode. If the motorcycle was RAF No.26 Group Despatch Rider Letter Services the bod should be wearing signals brassard or, if pre 1944, the signals flash white over blue on the bodywork. If RAF but not No.26 Group it should be marked in accordance with MT Regulations with: Roundel Code Letter (home commands) Group Numbers Licence Identification. This is tank and repeated on rear mudguard of solo motorcycles. eg B/4 for Bomber Command, No.4 Group C/16 for Coastal Command No.16 Group TAF for 2nd Tactical Air Force, L for Colonel Turner's Department, K for Balloon Command, C was for Coastal Command etc If Wallingford would it not be more likely to be RE associated with the Bridging Units at Howbery Park? Regards Ross
