Dave and Lisa have been friends with Gerrit and Hetty for decades. We'll leave the ladies for what they are for a while, but we'll get back to them in a moment. The link between Gerrit and Dave is at the heart of this story. Gerrit has been trading ex-army surplus 'dump' engines and parts for those ex-government engines for 50+ years. Think of the route from Nimbuses to BMW R65 GSs of the Danish (or Norwegian?) army.
Lots of British stuff too
But over the decades there are also many Triumphs and BSA's with parts for them were released into the world via Dieren. And from their first encounter, Gerrit and Dave have found each other when it comes to BSAs. In this way, a bus of BSA parts has been going back to England every year for quite some time now. In any case, there are always some 350 cc blocks that are very sought after in England because they have gearboxes in army version that make them particularly suitable for trial use. Dave overhauls BSA blocks and gearboxes. And he has so many engines that he has to clamber over the front ones to get to the rear.
Gerrit has been to England many times in the meantime
Dave already feels quite at home in the Veluwe because of his visits to Gerrit. And then we come back to our ladies: Dave and Lisa have built a very nice two-person log cabin near their house. In fact, as a place of residence during the renovation of their house. And now that the English-style house is sort of ready, you can rent that perfectly cozy log cabin. The advantage is for our ladies that Dave and Lisa live in the fairytale, colorful Shropshire, where you feel like a true time traveler in medieval villages. Centuries-old buildings, pubs, fantastic nature and endearing shops. A lovely area for a stroll as you wonder if you might run into a hobbit or a knight of the Round Table around the next corner.
We won't bother with all the old motorcycles in the area. You'll just have to ask Dave on the spot. But we have from the most reliable sources that our better halves feel completely happy on such an excursion. So if you want to know more about the Colby Cabin, you can check out www.colbycabin.co.uk† Give Dave and Lisa our regards.
So the BSAs
So those are the 500 cc M20 side valves and 350 cc B40 WD (war department) OHVs.
The W20
The BSA W-M20 was the final military version of the M20 used during World War II, also known as the BSA WD M20 (War Department M20). In 1942 there was a shortage of rubber, so the handles and footrests were covered with canvas. In 1942 the long stand was moved forward and from then on the universal luggage rack was also used. A few more minor modifications followed in 1943. The crankcase protection plate was changed and a high-mounted Vokes air filter came in a box on top of the tank.
BSA B40 WD GB (1967)
In 1965, the Royal Corps of Transport requested that models be developed to replace the obsolete BSA W-M20 and Matchless G3/L as military motorcycles. After some start-up problems, the British Army ordered 2000 B40s, including 880 for the British Rhine Army in the Federal Republic of Germany. The first machines were delivered in 1967 and deliveries continued into 1970. The official name of the standard machine was BSA B40 WD GB. The British army did impose additional requirements, including a carburetor with a butterfly valve because it was feared that a gas slide could get stuck due to contamination. The machine also had a rack for two canvas bags and had limited off-road capability.
In the mid 60's my parents gave me a new BSA bike!
Rob, and when you say “bike” you probably mean “bike” (unfortunately).
When Dave has been to Gerrit's, he always comes to the candy store to sniff around. Unfortunately not often anymore due to Brexit.
Via Dieren, two 'gas factories' were also transplanted to my Blauwtje from that Norwegian or Danish heap of parts. After adjusting the whole sprinkler shop to the war parameters that Blauwtje still drives, the result was to pass through a ring. It makes me happy every time I drive it!!