I'm waiting on the title to come in, and I'm trying to figure out which is the correct VIN for the bike. On the motor it's laid out like: 0/116xxx/P but on the Frame it's a little different. It's like this:

20
1
1
6
x
x
x

I'm just trying to figure out what'll be on the title. Will it be 0/116xxx/P, 20116xxx, or 116xxx?

Thanks!

The VIN on the frame is generally the VIN number.
So its 20/116xxx

But should about be the same as the motor number anyway.
Your motor number should be 20/ , since the 20 is the model type for Atlas
(and Commando 750).

The /P on the end of the engine number says it was made in Plumstead.

Gracias! I don't see the 2 on the motor, but I guess it could be there. Thanks again!

Rohan wrote:
The /P on the end of the engine number says it was made in Plumstead.

The P is actually a year marker. P being 1959. It would have been made at Bracebridge Street, B'ham. They were there until 1963.

Ian..

Nortoniggy wrote:

Rohan wrote:
The /P on the end of the engine number says it was made in Plumstead.

The P is actually a year marker. P being 1959. It would have been made at Bracebridge Street, B'ham. They were there until 1963.

Ian..

That's interesting. The bike is a 66 (at least it's been titled that way for the past 30 years), so if it was only made through 63, I've got an issue.

Very interesting indeed. My number was 20117069. Same year and model as yours. I didn't notice the other number, or a letter after the engine number. I checked the pics and it does not seem that there is one.

Jimmy_P wrote:

Nortoniggy wrote:

Rohan wrote:
The /P on the end of the engine number says it was made in Plumstead.

The P is actually a year marker. P being 1959. It would have been made at Bracebridge Street, B'ham. They were there until 1963.

Ian..

That's interesting. The bike is a 66 (at least it's been titled that way for the past 30 years), so if it was only made through 63, I've got an issue.

/P at the end of the engine number indicates that the engine was assembled in Plumstead. If it was the P year marker for 1959 then it would be stamped adjacent to the model code on the frame, however as it is an Atlas (20 = Atlas) then it couldn't be 1959 anyway as the model wasn't available before late 1962.

Britbikemike, the P is only on the engine, I'm not sure if you were looking at the frame number or engine number.

L.A.B. - That makes sense to me. I know it's an atlas, although for quite some time people told my dad it was an "Atlas II". I've never found any reference to that.

So, the title for mine should read 20116xxx...After doing some searching, I found that the P could refer to 1959, but only if it's for the year code for models between 1946 and 1960, after that it goes to the manufacture city, Plumstead (as indicated). The 20/ says it's an atlas, and the serial number falls in the 1966 range 115870 - 119759 (just like your's Mike). Now I've got it. Good info, really. Thanks!

Jimmy_P wrote:I know it's an atlas, although for quite some time people told my dad it was an "Atlas II". I've never found any reference to that.

A number of changes were made from '66 serial number 116372 (double speed oil pump and high pressure rocker feed etc.) so perhaps they were considered to be Atlas MkII models?
After all, the Commando was originally going to be called the "Atlas MkIII" (apparently that is why the early Commando model code was "20M3" = Atlas Mark 3) so there should have been a "MkII" Atlas!

I don't see a P on it but it could be covered up still and I just missed it.

That looks like mine, and I can't see the 2.

L.A.B. wrote:
That's interesting. The bike is a 66 (at least it's been titled that way for the past 30 years), so if it was only made through 63, I've got an issue.


/P at the end of the engine number indicates that the engine was assembled in Plumstead. If it was the P year marker for 1959 then it would be stamped adjacent to the model code on the frame, however as it is an Atlas (20 = Atlas) then it couldn't be 1959 anyway as the model wasn't available before late 1962.

You're right of course. I should have twigged that there were not Atlas's that early. My brain has been elsewhere lately. I blame the heat, or maybe I banged my head when i got knocked off my Commando & didn't realise. Or it could just be senility.

Ian

The acronym you're looking for Ian, is CRS (Can't Remember S**t).

frankdamp wrote:The acronym you're looking for Ian, is CRS (Can't Remember S**t).

I've got that too!

britbikemike wrote: I don't see a P on it but it could be covered up still and I just missed it.

The /P for made in Plumstead didn't last for ever - it was dropped after a while, the Dealers knew by then where it was made.

BTW, it was said it appeared because stuff made in Plumstead was different dimensions, the blueprints supposedly hadn't been updated in years, and the Plumstead machinists didn't know how they were supposed to be made (don't believe the blueprints, they need to be like this !).
Apparently heads wouldn't fit on cylinders, and cylinders wouldn't fit crankcases, etc...