Military Vehicles, July 1996,: Re: Military Motor Bikes

Re: Military Motor Bikes

Colin Brookes (Colin@h-bplan.demon.co.uk)
Wed, 24 Jul 1996 07:55:32 +0100

In message <67632.gerry@login.dknet.dk>, Gerry Davison
<gerry@login.dknet.dk> writes
>In message Tue, 23 Jul 1996 09:39:16 +0200,
> pwakefie@esis.esrin.esa.it (Paul Wakefield - System Manager (SERCO) X492)
>writes:
>
>> I could be tempted into buying one of these beasts, but I know virtually
>> nothing about military motorcycles, how about a quick run-down of the
>> popular models, say of WW2......Any takers ?
>
>Here's my best shot Paul.
>
>Gerry
>
>
>
>
>Belgium FN M86 mil. (very rare)
> FN M12
> Gillet 750
> Sarolea 1000
> FN Tricar
>Denmark Nimbus 750 (Still available)
>France Terrot RGMA
> Monet-Goyon L5A1
> Gnome-Rhone AX2
>Germany DKW NZ350
> Zundapp KS600 (Still available)
> BMW R12
> BMW R75
> Zundapp KS750
>Britain Welbike Mk II (friend of mine has one)
> James ML
> Enfield WD/RE
> Ariel W/NG
> Matchless G3L
> Enfield WD/C
> Triumph 3SW
> BSA M20
> Norton 16
> Triumph TRW
> Norton 633
>Italy Volugrafo Aermoto
> Sertum 250
> Bianchi MT61
> Bianchi 500M
> Gilera LTE500
> Guzzi GT17
> Guzzi Alce
> Guzzi Trialce (Trike)
>Japan Sankyo/Rikuo
> Kurugane
>Poland CWS Sokol 1000
>Russia PMZ-A-750
> M-72
>Sweden Monarch Albin (friend of mine sold 2 last year)
>Switz'd Condor A580-1
>UsA Indian 741B
> Harley-Davidson WLA
> Indian 640B
> Harley Davidson 42XA
> Harley Davidson 74UA
> Indian 340B

Hi Gerry,

There were about 15 vehicles from Denmark at the 'War & Peace Show',
Beltring, last week-end.
I think your above list is a bit misleading for our friend Pauls enquiry
though. He asked for most popular models. About 95% of the
motorcycles on your list are rarely seen and parts even rarer. For
example the Exelsior Welbike....although there are about 30 to 40 in our
club, you would be unlikely to find one for sale, and the possibility of
finding any parts is about nil. I have friends who have advertised all
over the US for around 20 years looking for any remains, he has rebuilt
using remanufactured parts about 8 in as many years (the Welbike was not
road legal in the UK, and all were bought by that large New York Store
which name escapes me for the moment). A complete original Welbike with
it's container was sold to a collector in Arnhem a couple of years back
for 14,000 UK pounds !!!!

The most common WW2 European bikes...BSA M20 and Norton 16H will set you
back around 1,500 UK pounds....the most common WW2 US the Harley WLA
about 5,000 UK pounds. WW2 Axis bikes like the BMW R12 or R75 as
solo's around 3,500 UK pounds, or as combi's about 5,000. Canadian
Harley WLC's are seen for sale from time to time also. A Cushman was on
sale at Beltring last week-end for 4,950 UK pounds, although very very
rare not particularly desirable....seemed to be only of real interest to
purist 82nd and 101 Airborne specialist collectors.

Regards

Colin Brookes
Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS)
colin@h-bplan.demon.co.uk

-- 
Colin Brookes