Royal Enfield WD/CO/B Motorcycle
Date
of Manufacture : 1943
Engine
: 348cc OHV Single Cylinder
Gearbox
: Albion believed built 1942
Suspension
: Girder front forks, rigid rear
Frame No : 13174
Engine No : 15857
This model of
the Royal Enfield was introduced into War Office service in 1942 as a
replacement for the earlier WC/C 350cc side valve engine machines.
The WD/CO/B saw service with all 3 armed services, being mostly used
for road communication and convoy escort duties, mainly because it had
less ground clearance and the engine was unprotected from possible
damage.
The history of this motorcycle is unknown, the best guess according to
Jan Vandevelde of the Royal Enfield Register is that it has had a
varied past. It is not known whether it served during WWII but
almost certainly it went to France after the war and was used by the
French army until the 1950s. There is a number stamped on the
engine that indicates that it may have been rebuilt while in France
which might account for the fact that the engine and frame numbers do
not match.
Most of the restoration has been done by previous owners, the motorcycle runs well but there is still a lot more to be done.