It seems that the spirit of comradeship does not extend everywhere!!!
I will explain.
In connection with this query I found a site connected to Birmingham local history, joined the Forum and posted this message:-
"My first post on this forum so I might be in the wrong place, but here goes.
I participate in another Forum that is militarily based and have come across an enquiry about a particular model of the Royal Enfield WD/CO. According to the post this model was fitted with a Kitson Pease gearbox (details of which no trace can be found) when most where fitted with Albion gearboxes, and some fitted with Burman 'boxes.
The details are too long to post here but I submit the link below if anyone is interested.
http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/sh...4263#post84263
The originator of the post is trying to confirm or refute the details of this bike, and whether the factory could have been put out of production during WW2.
Thank you in anticipation.
PPS"
I have just checked my e-mails and found this reply (spaces deleted to save space):-
"Ah yes I see you were given some advice on another 'lightweight' forum to contact the Motorcycle Museum!
Dont bother!
I am the motorcycle researcher for our site and I have never heard of this gearbox. I also do not know of any Birmingham factory being put out of production during the war, production carried on regardless, somewhere, somehow!
I notice someone mentioned Dudley Zoo, this site was used for Spitfire or Spitfire part production during the war but i do not know anymore contact the Black Country Archives for more information.
If a gearbox manufacturer operated in Birmingham under that name it would appear in Kellys directory.(Available in Bham Ref. Library)
They will look it up for you if you cannot get there.
see this link
http://www.madeinbirmingham.org/foru....php?p=602#602
The manufacture of gearwheels is specialist and not work that just any factory could do so it is unlikely that it was work just given to any old factory, this would be a gearwheel manufacturer, gearcases could me made in most factories.
For RE information contact the owners club
http://www.royalenfield.org.uk/index.php
If they were motorcycle gearbox manufacturers details would be available at the VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE CLUB at Burton upon Trent.
http://www.vmcc.net/
You last option is a request in the letters section of Old Bike Mart.
http://www.oldbikemart.co.uk/
Jon Price
www.madeinbirmingham.org
_________________
JP --- History is just one thing after the other!
I replied as follows (again spaces edited to save space):-
My post was made in good faith on behalf of a member of another Forum and I find your reply a rather hurtful. I was not asked to contact anybody, I did this on my own in a spirit of comradeship with those connected to the service (and ex-service) community, no matter where they are in the Commonwealth.
All I was asking was if anyone could give some light on this matter, I did not ask for a diatribe or to feel belittled for asking a question. Did you even look properly at the link I posted? If you did you would have seen;
1. Where the person who asked the original question is based.
2. Scans of the documentation that is held.
To call the other Forum "lightweight" is rather disrespectful to the reason it was initially founded. These are people who wish to keep history alive in their own way by remembering men and equipment that was used, and to provide information to those who wish to learn.
Also, I am from a motor vehicle engineering background and quite appreciate the complexities of the manufacture of gearwheels and other precision parts. I also appreciate that in your own words in your reply; "The manufacture of gearwheels is specialist and not work that just any factory could do so it is unlikely that it was work just given to any old factory, gearcases could me made in most factories". These are your words complete with spelling mistakes."
Needless to say, I will not be back there. Possibly I did not couch my question in the correct way, but still feel hurt and disappointed with the initial part of the answer. And this is one of my own countrymen!!!!!
Paul.
