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BSA WD B40
BSA B40 Motorcycle
 
 
IN MEMORY
 
 
Parts for sale - Engine
BSA B40 parts for sale
 
 
Parts for sale - Cycle Parts - Work in progress
BSA B40 parts for sale
 
 
Parts for sale - Electrical
BSA B40 Parts for sale
 
 
Parts for sale miscellaneous
BSA B40 parts for sale
 
 
Motorcycles for sale
WD B40 for sale
 
 
Events
 
 
History
 
 
Technical Information
 
 
Official MOD up dates and modifications
 
 
Engine number prefixes - Identification
 
 
BRASS PLATE NUMBERS EXPLAINED
BSA WD B40 Contract numbers
 
 
AUSTRALIAN B40 AWD - GA
 
 
WD B40 Prototype
Early BSA WD B40
 
 
B40 Military Mk2 and Roughrider
By Rupert Ratio
 
 
Mitchell Collection Bike 1
BSA WD B40 Mk1 1967
 
 
Mitchell Collection bike 2
BSA WD B40 GR Mk1 1970 RAF
 
 
Mitchell Collection bike 3
Mk2 M (Jordanian Army) 1968
 
 
Mitchell collection bike 4
WD B40 Prototype 1965
 
 
Mitchell collection bike 5
BSA WD B40 MK1 GN 1969 Royal Navy
 
 
Mitchell collection bike 6
BSA WD B40 MK1 1969 GN Royal Navy
 
 
Mitchell collection bike 7
BSA WD B40 1969 GN Royal Navy
 
 
Mitchell collection - bike 8
BSA AWD B40 GA MK1 Australian Army 1967
 
 
Mitchell collection Bike 9
BSA WD B40 MK1 GN 1969 Royal Navy
 
 
Mitchell collection Bike 10
BSA B40 GR MK1 1970 Royal Air Force
 
 
Useful Links
 
 
WD B40's in service
 
 
Picture gallery
BSA WD B40 picture gallery
 
 
Guest Book
 
 
How to contact us
 
 
Other motorcycles in my collection
Non WD B40's
 
 

History

These machines were the early post war replacements for the remaining fleet of BSA M20's and Matchless GL3's which, together with the US built machines, had formed the major component of the Army's wartime motorcycle holdings.

The B40 with telescopic front forks was a modern motorcycle in its day and was used for convoy control, messenger services and the carriage of any small stores, which could be fitted into the pannier bags. The carriage of messages was an important function at a time when radios were few, and less reliable than now. Shepherding road convoys, particularly on major exercises, with the British Army of the Rhine in Germany, was a vital function. Motorcycles ensured that units did not become muddled, as there was often a set time allocation for the use of roads by military traffic with no allowances for losing the way.

The B40 like most military motorcycles of the period was basically a road machine with limited off road performance.

It is suggested that the total number supplied to the British Armed forces was 3,087, which included 135 for the RAF and 26 for the Royal Navy. BSA received a further order for an additional 235 machines in 1971, which the company was unable to fulfil due to its increasingly precarious state at the time.

As well as serving in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, the WD B40 was sold to the armies of Australia, Denmark, Jordan to name a few.

BSA WD B40 Carburettor & oil filter

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