British motorcycle colors

[Ron Pier]

Hi Rolf and fancy meeting you here Lex.
Rolf your frame number is from a contract of 2000 machines ordered in Nov 1941 and delivered by Aug 42.
The frame and engine numbers were never matching on these W/NG's. The engine numbers are prefixed 'BH'. So it looks like someone has stamped your crankcase?
My own W/NG is from a much later contract in 1943. I must admit I probably didn't do enough research when I painted it and the colour I have used is BS 398 British Olive Drab, which is the preferred colour during the latter part of the war.
I suggest you use Lex's advice and visit that site where you can ask and chat to loads of us Bike anoraks. Ron

[Rolf S. Ask]

Hi Alex.
Thanks for the link. I will check it out. Did find a youtube film that had a good sound of the engine. I really like it

Lex
I do know the RAL system is of German origin, but did think it was standarised in Europe, but guess not the English blokes wants to use it ..... And the two small paint shops arround here, do not know much on other than indor housepaint... But I am sure I will figuer it out. I will go for the earth bron color since I think that is what is inside the wheelhousing. What do you guys think? Am I far off??? (picture at the bottom)
If you have a BS code for the colours, I for sure will check out any paint shops here and see if they can read that system, and get some samples.

Ron
Thanks for clearing up the serialnumber on my bike. I have always beleeved it was a 1943 model. Did get a book so I did know the contract number but not that it was a contract placed in 1941. If the bikes got sencusnumbers as they was made, I guess mine is to have C 4851932. Do you think that is correct?
Regarding the engine serial number. I did notice a rebuild plate on the rear fender today, and it has been rebuilt 29.nov 1945 at workshop No. B180
Perhaps it did get a new crank case housing then, or a whole new engine. And they did just stamp in the frame serial number. It does not look as it has had any former engine serial number removed. And there is no trase of any letters there.
And if I can get my bike half as nice as yours look, I think I will be very happy. Boy, that bike looks amazing. More pictures please, so I can have something to reach at

Today I spent some houres dismantling the front fork from the frame, and did almost manage to cleane out the frame. I guess I will have the main frame ready for primer tomorrow.

Rolf



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[Ron Pier]

Rolf you are correct with your census number calculation C4851932. I make it the same. Your bike is the 1931th from 2000 built under contract C12450. So it's near the end of that contract and safe I think to date it mid 42.
I'll email you some pictures of my W/NG.
Meanwhile here is a shot of my Flea for a colour example. This is Standard Service Brown BS 499. Ron

[Rolf S. Ask]

Ron

That is the colour I would like. So will check out if any paint supliers here can make it out of that code. Thanks.
And looking ofrward to see you pictures when I get at my other computer tomorrow. I have my e.mails on another computer, since I am at my "net-surfing machine" in my living room.

Did not get time to be at my shead today.

Rolf

[Mike K]

This might help

http://www.wdnorton.nl/Colours.html

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Ron Pier

My own W/NG is from a much later contract in 1943. I must admit I probably didn't do enough research when I painted it and the colour I have used is BS 398 British Olive Drab, which is the preferred colour during the latter part of the war.

Ron do you mean this late WW2 British colour : SCC 15 OLIVE DRAB; 5 X H150 + 5 X H159 + 2 X H33 - rather than 398 , I cannot find BS 398 on a search ...MIKE

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Ron do you mean this late WW2 British colour : SCC 15 OLIVE DRAB; 5 X H150 + 5 X H159 + 2 X H33 - rather than 398 , I cannot find BS 398 on a search ...MIKE

That should be 298

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

That should be 298

Roger that .. thanks to you I found it ..nice colour ..220 looks good too. The system is BSC 381c

[Ron Pier]

Yes Mike,my fault for the typo. I have used enough of it to remember BS 298. Ron

[Rolf S. Ask]

Managed to clean the frame today. So it is ready for primer. Not the best picture since I used my phone.
And keep the colour discussion go on. It is interesting, and I am sure more than I will benefit from it.

Rolf



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[Rolf S. Ask]

Was off and got some paint, BS 499 service brown. It is a bit clossy, so will have to try out to see if I can get it some less shiny. I guess they are supposed to be a bit glossy???
Also found a used, but complete gearbox cover on an austrian site, so did order that. And waiting for new brake shoes from Draganfly. Hopefully the frame and fork will be finished before those items arive.
Will put out some pictures here when I have got som paint on the fra. In the mean time, enjoy this video I did find on the net. many interesting bikes there, and some of the film is in colour. But no sound..
Did notice some exhaust pipes looks very shiny some dont. Was this carried out thrue the war?

Rolf

Link to the video: http://www.yfaonline.com/assetDetail...ue=fromAdvance