Military G3L?

[peterg123]

Could Aussie G3-L or another kindly look into the contract number of my G3L. The little toolbox tag says
"Chassis Contract Number 294/23/S/4555 and then "Catlogue Ref No" 32

What "CC" number should I stencil on my Tank? And as a last question, why did they stencil those on the tank anyway? Was it to help sort out which units they were going to?

I don't know what the numbers "294/23/S/****" mean, but the last 4 digits appear to be the contract number

Contract number C2604, was March 1943. 7000 bikes
Frame numbers 57070-64069.
Engine numbers 72070-79069.
WD Serial Number (C number) 5477370-5484369

Contract number C4555, was September 1943. 8000 bikes
Frame numbers 64070-72069.
Engine numbers 79070-87069.
WD Serial Number (C number) 5800000-5807999

I assume the WD number was for easy ID of the motorcycle as they did not have number plates. I am definitely no expert on these bikes.

Do you have a better copy of the image you posted? I can only read (maybe wrong) 548164??? 548 is most definitely visible, the rest is a guess, which means there is 4369 possible bike numbers. Without a clearer image there is little more that can be done to ID the bike correctly.

The tank number in the picture matches the bracket for contract C2604, not Contract C4555. -- not my query this one!!!


Cheers

Al

Hi Al,

Very kind indeed but I think you are mixing up two questions from different people I have not sent any photos of a tank or any photos at all. You have brilliantly answered the CC contract no 4555. So my follow up was, what CC Number should I stencil on my bike tan therefore?

I got the "little toolbox tag" in my hand as I write. it came with the bike which was discovered in perfect originality in Kenya, in a surplus dealer from WW2 old yard! As I asked "What "CC" number should I stencil on my Tank? Going by your reply, I could trace the engine number then use that to determine where between 5800000-5807999 it is?

Cheers Peter in Kenya

[jackstringer]

0649b-On-a-motorbike.jpg

Couldn't get much out of the image in photoshop but the new neutral network filters took a stab at adding some colour.

[Aussie_G3L]

Could Aussie G3-L or another kindly look into the contract number of my G3L. The little toolbox tag says
"Chassis Contract Number 294/23/S/4555 and then "Catlogue Ref No" 32

What "CC" number should I stencil on my Tank? And as a last question, why did they stencil those on the tank anyway? Was it to help sort out which units they were going to?

I don't know what the numbers "294/23/S/****" mean, but the last 4 digits appear to be the contract number

Contract number C2604, was March 1943. 7000 bikes
Frame numbers 57070-64069.
Engine numbers 72070-79069.
WD Serial Number (C number) 5477370-5484369

Contract number C4555, was September 1943. 8000 bikes
Frame numbers 64070-72069.
Engine numbers 79070-87069.
WD Serial Number (C number) 5800000-5807999

I assume the WD number was for easy ID of the motorcycle as they did not have number plates. I am definitely no expert on these bikes.

Do you have a better copy of the image you posted? I can only read (maybe wrong) 548164??? 548 is most definitely visible, the rest is a guess, which means there is 4369 possible bike numbers. Without a clearer image there is little more that can be done to ID the bike correctly.

The tank number in the picture matches the bracket for contract C2604, not Contract C4555. -- not my query this one!!!


Cheers

Al

Hi Al,

Very kind indeed but I think you are mixing up two questions from different people I have not sent any photos of a tank or any photos at all. You have brilliantly answered the CC contract no 4555. So my follow up was, what CC Number should I stencil on my bike tan therefore?

I got the "little toolbox tag" in my hand as I write. it came with the bike which was discovered in perfect originality in Kenya, in a surplus dealer from WW2 old yard! As I asked "What "CC" number should I stencil on my Tank? Going by your reply, I could trace the engine number then use that to determine where between 5800000-5807999 it is?

Cheers Peter in Kenya

Peter

Yes my error.

You are correct. Find your frame number and that will give you your CC number. Easiest way is to create 3 columns in an Excel spread sheet Col A put Frame Numbers, Col B Engine, and Col C the Tank numbers. Then scroll down to your Frame number and you will have the rest. Easier with the later contracts, as they matched up the numbering. Easier contracts they numbers were all over the place, with gaps and so forth.

You will find your frame number on the right side of the frame at the top near the rear of the fuel tank.

Cheers

Al

[peterg123]

Thanks Al, you are very helpful

[JagLite]

Hmmmm.
I've read the above answer to determining the correct tank C number several times and I still don't understand it.
I have the same question for my machine, I am ready to paint the tank number on but I can't figure out what it should be.
My engine is from contract no. C7183, stamped on the engine is 40 14590 G3 WO
The frame from contract no. C8078, stamped 11364

But how do I get the correct number to put on the tank from that?
I think that is what was explained above but I must be having a dummy day because I don't understand.

I don't know what an Excell spread sheet is or how it works.
My bike build thread is in the Garage Projects section (1940 G3WO project assembly help).
I found this thread searching for an answer to the same question.

The tank had "C391068" on it, but I would like to confirm that is correct, or determine what the correct number should be.
I realize the engine and/or frame may not be the same one it left the factory with so maybe it really doesn't matter?

[Aussie_G3L]

Hmmmm.
I've read the above answer to determining the correct tank C number several times and I still don't understand it.
I have the same question for my machine, I am ready to paint the tank number on but I can't figure out what it should be.
My engine is from contract no. C7183, stamped on the engine is 40 14590 G3 WO
The frame from contract no. C8078, stamped 11364

But how do I get the correct number to put on the tank from that?
I think that is what was explained above but I must be having a dummy day because I don't understand.

I don't know what an Excell spread sheet is or how it works.
My bike build thread is in the Garage Projects section (1940 G3WO project assembly help).
I found this thread searching for an answer to the same question.

The tank had "C391068" on it, but I would like to confirm that is correct, or determine what the correct number should be.
I realize the engine and/or frame may not be the same one it left the factory with so maybe it really doesn't matter?

Your frame and engine are both from contract 7183 not from mixed contracts

Contract Number C7183
Frame numbers were 7000 to 12999.
Engine Numbers were from 40-G3-WO-10226 to 40-G3-WO-16225
Census (tank) numbers went from C92889 to C938590

You say you frame number is 11364.

Frame number 11364 had engine number 40-G3-WO-14590 and a Census number of C936955 at the time of manufacture.

Frame numbers from contract C5078 ranged from 13000 to 16399. There was a lot of missing frame, engine and Census numbers in this contract. be glad you bike is not from this contract. It would have been hard to confirm exact numbers.

So you have matching numbers which is very nice and your tank number should be C936955 not C391068.

The bikes from contract C7183 were designated for delivery to the Middle East from 29/03/1941.

Reference: British Forces Motorcycles [1925-1945]. Appendix 2 Production Tables.

I hope this helps

[JagLite]

Wow. I was really off course.
Thanks for the explanation and answer.
I know next to nothing (obviously) about old bikes and military contracts.
I've read a lot since buying the bike but I have a lousy memory so I forget everything.
Thanks again!
James in Alaska