BEF Motorcycle Related Diary Entries

From WO 167/137 19 March 1940

I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS LITTLE TIT-BIT RICH:

 

Thanks Andy, most interesting and not a problem that I'd heard about before as it doesn't seem to have made it into the later lists of remedial circulars, presumably because it was solved fairly quickly. Is this an RASC diary ?

The Matchlesses would have been the rather sporty girder forked G3/WO model, almost certainly from the 4000 delivered under Contract C.5247.(The second card in this scan) The faster Overhead valve bikes were commonly used for convoy escort duty as they had to be able to overtake the convoy quickly.



It looks as if only 250 of the 4000 were still on strength in 1941 when responsibility was transferred to the R.O.C. Most of the rest are likely to have been left in France.

The reciprocating plunger pump that Matchless used was driven by a helical gear from the crankshaft and it is this gear that stripped due to the pump seizing.



The 'pin' referred to in the diary is shown on this sketch as the 'Guide Screw' and because it was too long, it was bottoming in the 'profiled groove' and locking the pump up. It was cured simply by a washer under the head of the screw to stop it protruding as far into the pump body.

 

Glad it was of interest. Its from I Corps Ammunition Park WD.

 

From I Corps 3 Ammunition Sub-Park

See dates 3rd, 4th and 11th March:

 

Great Stuff ! I'll save that one for the next time that the Triumph boys are acting all superior (if you find anything bad about Nortons, keep it off forum OK ? )

 

WO167/296 Page 930

 

Tinea Cruris ? Ugh...

Tinea Cruris (Fungal Groin Infection) | Health | Patient UK

 

WO167/296 Page 930

Not WW2 related - but I met an 85 year old ex navy guy at the weekend who had 26 motorbikes in his semi, only! 10 of which were in one piece, including a norton international, 6 douglases and a matchless.

Barry Ross