1939 KM20

[Gavey]

I have just bought a 1939 M20 on ebay that was supplied as part of a batch to the Irish Department of Defence, Dublin in February 1939. From the information I have this was a mixed bag of de luxe and ordinary models some with panel tanks and a mix of foot and hand change.
Mine is currently hand change and fitted with - I think - a B21 tank.
Does any one know if it would have been supplied in civilian or military trim, and should it be hand change as I am currently undecided what to do with it although I am tempted to do the bare minimum to it.

[militaryron]

I have some information on military KM20's and a friend has been collect information on Irish military bikes. If you can let me know the frame and engine numbers, I'll see what info is available.  Ron

[Gavey]

Thanks Ron, The frame number is KM20 1697 and the engine KM20 633.

[militaryron]

John O'Brien is currently away from home and will check his records when he gets home tomorrow. He has crankcases with numbers very close to yours. Ron

[JABBA99]

The frame and engine did go to Eire DoD, but not as a matching pair originally.  All this batch were foot change and shown as "green" (so presumably, as normal military M20)

[Gavey]

Thank you, now I know what I've got. I believe that these early KM20 were largely civilian bikes with some military bits added. Obviously I need to find some correct parts. Can someone tell me what parts were fitted to these bikes that were specifically military. I don't want to end up with the wrong bits.

[JABBA99]

Should have also said it's in the "de luxe" model book.  Attached copies of picture from BSAOC archive of civi model and a couple of military models of the period (from the date on the photo of a batch of bikes it is for War Office - a couple of months before the Eire DoD bikes)

[Gavey]

Many thanks, now I've got a good idea what to aim for. One last little thing, I'm assuming paint was normal army matt green but did the Irish bikes have C numbers on the tank, and tyre pressures like the UK ones?

[militaryron]

Before the war the service colour in UK was gloss Brunswick Green. At the out brake of war the new service colour was mat khaki Green No3 (Gas Proof). Unfortunately there is no BS or equivalent RAL number. There are various formulas for mixing it. I've mixed it several times by trial and error to match the preserved paint I found inside the chain case and brake plates on this bike.  Ron

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