Thread: Have you heard of Phelan & Moore motorcycles

Another oldie, Bob















Image copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
This image is in the Public Domain
ID numberP00136.004Object typeBlack & whitePhysical descriptionBlack & white CollectionPhotographDescription

A TRIUMPH H MODEL MOTORCYCLE USED BY DISPATCH RIDERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MOTOR TRANSPORT SERVICE. ( DONOR: A. STUBBS )

A Harley.
Harley Davidson 42WLA 750cc Motorcycle





ID numberREL/08442.001TitleHarley Davidson 42WLA 750cc MotorcycleObject typeVehiclePlace madeUnited States of AmericaDate made1943Physical description

• Rubber;
• Steel;

CollectionTechnologyDescriptionHarley Davidson motorcycle, 750cc, model number 42 WLA. The exterior is painted in olive drab with the number '94139' applied to both sides of the fuel tank in white. The powerplant is a WLA 45, V twin cylinder air-cooled engine. Comes complete with windshield, two leather panniers mounted at the rear, a leather sub-machine gun bucket mounted on the right front fork and a small metal stowage box mounted on the left front fork.

A BSA in that "lustreless " paint


BSA WM20 Solo Motorcycle

• Image 1
• Image 2

ID numberREL/08296TitleBSA WM20 Solo MotorcycleObject typeVehiclePlace madeUnited Kingdom: EnglandDate madec 1940sPhysical description

• Rubber;
• Steel;

CollectionTechnologyOn displayMain building: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 1 - MediterraneanDescriptionBSA, Solo WM20 motorcycle with side valve single cylinder 500cc engine. Two Dunlop Universal brand tyres are fitted. The seat is coil sprung and covered in black leatherette. Behind the seat a rigid steel framed pack rack has been fitted. Drum brakes are fitted front and rear with coil spring girder suspension for the front wheel. The rear wheel is not sprung. The single cylinder engine is finished in bare metal silver with the exhaust pipe and muffler painted matt black. Overall, the vehicle has been painted in Lustreless khaki green, No. 3 paint.

An Indian model 741B

Indian model 741B Solo Motorcycle : Australian Military Forces





ID numberREL29920TitleIndian model 741B Solo Motorcycle : Australian Military ForcesMakerIndianObject typeVehiclePlace madeUnited States of AmericaDate madec 1940sPhysical description

• Rubber;
• Steel;

CollectionTechnologyDescriptionIndian model 741B Solo Motorcycle. Exterior is painted US Olive drab. 600cc 'V' twin petrol engine. The Army Registration number 40946 is painted on each side of the petrol tank in white. The motorcycle is fitted with pannier bags and rear vision mirror.SummaryThis type of motorcycle was used by the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War.

A Norton, with provision for a 3" Mortar!

Norton 'Big 4' motorcycle & sidecar combination : Australian Army

• Image 1
• Image 2

ID numberREL28597TitleNorton 'Big 4' motorcycle & sidecar combination : Australian ArmyMakerNorton Motorcycles (UK) LtdObject typeVehiclePlace madeUnited KingdomDate made1939Physical descriptionSteel CollectionTechnologyDescriptionNorton 'Big 4' motorcycle with sidecar. Exterior painted in Khaki Green Number 3. Fully operational including drive to sidecar wheel. Missing sidecar mudguard lamp. Spare wheel is an incorrect type. The vehicle has a mileage reading of 95,623. Type information. Crew: 3; Powerplant: 633cc SV single-cylinder engine.SummaryThis motorcycle was part of the first batch delivered from the United Kingdom to the Australian Army in 1939. This type of general purpose motorcycle with sidecar was used by the Australian Army. It was suitable for off road terrain because it was fitted with a drive shaft to the sidecar wheel. The sidecar was fitted in various configuations including the provision of a 3 inch mortar.

Restored BMW



















ID numberREL/16441.001TitleBMW R12 motorcycle and sidecar combinationObject typeVehiclePlace madeGermanyDate madec 1941Physical description

• Leather;
• Rubber;
• Steel;

CollectionTechnologyOn displayMain building: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 1 - MediterraneanDescriptionFully restored BMW R12 750cc motorcycle, sidecar combination in operating condition. The vehicle has been finished in the early German war scheme of dark grey and has black upholstery. The engine is finished in polished bare metal with black and silver cylinder heads and a black exhaust system. Most detail items have been fitted. This includes the front headlight with built in speedometer, rear tail lights and reflectors, front and rear number plate brackets. Three small aluminium discs depicting the BMW logo of the quartered circle are mounted on each side of the fuel tank with the third fitted to the side car. The frame is made from built up steel pressings and some steel tubing which connects the sidecar with the motorcycle. The front end suspension uses telescoping forks with hydraulic damping while the rear end is rigid. The sidecar has leaf springing. The drivers seat uses two vertical coil springs to assist in shock absorption while the pillion seat is dampened using a horizontal coil spring. A black ring handhold is fitted for the pillion position. The sidecar has a grab bar mounted for the passenger and behind the passengers compartment is a small storage boot with hinged lid. A tan coloured, leather pannier bag is also fitted. Riveted to the front top of the sidecar is a small rectangular white metal plate titled 'Krad B' which specifies three different weights in kilograms. The rear and sidecar tyres are Dunlop Universals 4"x18". The front tyre is a Barum 3.5" x 19".

Here's a few more classics, curtousy of Birdwood Mill Motor Museum

A bloke rode a beautifully restored Zundapp 750 complete with sidecar and a little trailer, into an antique machinery exhibition I was at. I couldn't keep my eyes off it. Sidecar wheel driven, difflock, reverse, amazing freight capacity.

The history of the heavy German military bike Zuendapp KS 750 1941 - 1945<O:P></O:P>

Don.