New member - many questions - 1941 WD G3L

[Aussie_G3L]

Hello

I am a new member from Canberra, Australia.

I am the proud owner of a basket case 1941 WD G3L that is going to be my pleasure to restore. Well, the bike is still in shipment from Europe and due in the coming weeks and I am looking for parts I know I am going to need.

I have questions.. lots of questions. But I will try to keep them to a minimum.

It is my intention to restore the bike back to original military spec, as best as is possible, considering the availability of parts.

The bike did not come with an exhaust and I am wondering if anyone can advise what the correct diameter of the exhaust pipe is please?

I noted on one website selling "Armours" WD G3L exhausts that it is 1 1/2 inch,
"Pipe for G3L WD models, outside diameter 1-1/2? , goes over the footrests which must be correct type, pushes into the head. Will not fit ’49 Hairspring models"

but also listed another exhaust for G3L.

"Pipe G3L early WD model, this pipe pushes over a stub, for 1939 on, iron head models, outside diameter 1-3/4?."

As I understand it, the Armours exhausts pipes are the ones to get.

Based on images I have seen of the 1941 WD G3L, the image of the Armours 1 1/2 inch exhaust seems to match the shape correctly.

Can some one advise please?

Thanks

Al

[dave16mct]

Welcome to the forum. Yes the 41 WDG3L has 1 1/2" pipe which fits over the footrests. Make sure you ask for unplated otherwise they may arrive chromed. The early WD model was the 39 G3 which was very different, much heavier.
Dave.

[Aussie_G3L]

Dave

Thank you for the clarification. I assumed it was the 1 1/2".

I was definitely going to go with the un-plated.

Cheers

Al

[SPRIDDLER]

Welcome Al.
Lovely project.
If you haven't already seen it there's some interesting/useful literature on WD bikes in the privately run 'Christians Archive'. Here are a couple of examples......


The 'L' in G3L denotes 'Light' in that it has Teledraulic front forks introduced in 1941.
Until then the heavier G3 had girder front forks.
Here's a contemporary article on the introduction of the Teledraulic forks.

http://archives.jampot.dk/editorial/War ... e_fork.pdf

Here's a road test of the G3 (girder forks) which has some similarities to your G3L

http://archives.jampot.dk/editorial/War ... h_1940.pdf

and another article from 1943 on one soldier's experience...

http://archives.jampot.dk/editorial/War ... _stand.pdf

If you browse here you will find the Spares List...

http://archives.jampot.dk/book/Spares_lists/

and the MOD Inspection/Workshop manual here.....(it's dated 1953 but that just a reprint date).

http://archives.jampot.dk/book/Workshop ... ndards.pdf

another techy article here:

http://archives.jampot.dk/technical/Spe ... y_1941.pdf

That lot should answer many of your questions but much willing help is available from other members on here.
Oh, and be sure to post some photos when you get it!

[Aussie_G3L]

Spriddler, Thank you.

Already hunting parts for this bike (contract 9841) and have now sourced a second G3L front frame only from Contract 9506. Now looking for a rear frame as well to go with it. What have I done!!!

Hoping to restore both bikes using original parts/NOS, but suspect there will be some Reproduction parts in there whether I like it or not. Levers, twist throttle just to mention the obvious.

What is with the levers/decompression/timing/choke levers. It is like they never manufactured enough to start with. Lets not discuss the DU42 headlight or the correct Smiths (S433M) Chronometric speedo.

I have been researching these bikes for some months and have collected a fine little library to assist. Slowly collecting tools and associated other items needed for the restorations.