Hitchcocks Forum

Royal Enfield Engine no CO18754 Dated from the 1930's but believed used in dispatch riders bikes during WW11 356cc. Turns freely and was still full of oil when I found it in a barn a little way from where I live in the Ardennes.The ardennes was host to Hitler's last push in the Battle of the Bulge so its provenance is probably correct.
I am not a bike enthusiast but love engines and would like find a bit more info.Unfortunately the rest of the bike had disappeared and this is all that remains.

Jon Wade [email protected]

That engine number seems to refer to a 346cc Model WD/CO, part of 2,826 delivered against Contract number S14219 for the RAF in 1944. The frame number would originally have been the same but engines were routinely swapped during servicing. There is a picture of a 1945 WD/CO in the original Sales Brochure pictures on this site, albeit in civilian colours. I'm not sure that there were all that many British units in the Ardennes in WW2 as it was an American (?) sector but there were plenty of surplus bikes at the end of WW2 and engines were often used to power pumps, circular saws and all sorts of other things on farms which is probably a more likely reason as to how it got there! It's not very valuable but still of interest. Frames and parts sometimes come up on Ebay. You could ask the chaps at the Military BSA motorcycle site as they all seem to have many other makes of machines too, http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/static/ ... 39&frmid=0

REgards, Mark

And strangely enough, here's a suitable rolling chassis now! Ebay item number 301647135663

REgards, Mark

Oh look, he only wants £2000.00 for it...



A.

Crazy innit!

REgards, Mark