1941 Royal Enfield WD-CO

Engine: Horizontally-opposed, single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled
Displacement: 346 cc (21.1 ci)
Bore & Stroke: 70 x 90 mm (2.75 x 3.54 in)
Power: 11.93 kW (16 hp)
Transmission: 4-forward, manual
Weight: 159 kg (350 lb)
Original Cost: Unknown  

The Royal Enfield WD/C was introduced in 1940, and remained in production for two years, during which time 16,500 were built. The WD/C was a lightly militarized version of the company’s pre-war Model C, but it was criticized in military service for its lack of power. This was addressed in early 1942 when the WD/C was superseded by an overhead valve WD/CO model. The WD/CO remained in production until the end of the war, by which time some 30,000 examples had been produced. It was widely used by all British services.

This particular motorcycle spent most of the Second World War assigned to various army camps in Scotland.

Chronology:

 
1901 - Royal Enfield Company incorporated and first motorcycle produced.
1914 - Supplied a large number of motorcycles to the British Army and also won a contract for the Russian government.
1921-1939 - Several models developed including their first 4-stroke 350cc engine model in 1924.
1939-1945 - Developed several models for the British Army.
1942 - To avoid their factory being bombed, Enfield buitl an underground factory.
1946-1954 - Enfield resumes production of civilian model motorcycles including the Model G and Model J.
1948 -  Royal Enfield develops a ground-breaking rear suspension springing that became very popular.
1949-1963 - Royal Enfield released their first parallel twin motorcycle and introduced the 700cc Constellation Twin which has been credited as being the first superbike.
1967 - Royal Enfield is sold to Norton-Villers.
1970 - Royal Enfield motorcycle production ceases.
2015 - Donor purchases motorcycle from the UK.
2018 - Donated to the Royal-Alberta Museum.