A MKIII that has its stamped # same as rest

jimbo · Mar 12, 2017

I found a MKIII that has its stamped in the frame number the same as the rest of them, so its a four number matching bike ;engine, trans, data plate and frame , anyone hear of that?

L.A.B. · Mar 12, 2017

Yes, later Mk3 models can have matching frame and plate numbers.

dynodave · Mar 12, 2017

http://atlanticgreen.com/commandoframes.htm

The 850 Commando Frame # Mystery
Dave Comeau Jan 2001 Updated 25 Feb 2007

*Starting in may 1975, It appears the VIN was adopted to complete the frame#
If you have any VIN/data contributions for the chart please email me.

worntorn · Mar 12, 2017

Both of my Mk3s have frame stampings matched to engine.

Glen

Mark · Mar 13, 2017

FWIW: I just checked mine #325263
VIN on engine, trans, and plate - different # stamped on frame.
(info plate stamped 1-75)

dynodave · Mar 13, 2017

Re: Verlicchi & vin/frame match

early style frame#
330419 Apr-75 #850#F130759# VIN Right = metric/Italian frame ?

Around late april or May the VIN was incorporated into the frame #
332473 May-75 #850#F332473# VIN Left imperial tubing

So far it looks like RH vin tags are all metric tubing and I would further guess Verlicchi
I have several other frames that are metric and all the tags are on the RH side?

220738 is a metric tube frame VIN tag on the right.... of course no frame # for 73 750
This is the earliest metric frame I have personally seen

Deets55 · Mar 13, 2017

Re: Verlicchi & vin/frame match

dynodave said:
early style frame#
330419 Apr-75 #850#F130759# VIN Right = metric/Italian frame ?

Around late april or May the VIN was incorporated into the frame #
332473 May-75 #850#F332473# VIN Left imperial tubing

So far it looks like RH vin tags are all metric tubing and I would further guess Verlicchi
I have several other frames that are metric and all the tags are on the RH side?

220738 is a metric tube frame VIN tag on the right.... of course no frame # for 73 750
This is the earliest metric frame I have personally seen

Dave,
326xxx, F127xxx
Left side tag I think it is Feb.
Can type assimilator mounted under front of tank with no spring just a mounting tab. I measured the back bone a couple of years ago and it looked like it was in inches.
Pete

dynodave · Mar 13, 2017

Pete
Your data sounds all as expected for that number sequence. Like yours , I found the MKIII can assimilator/early wiring ran longer than I originally thought. :mrgreen:

L.A.B. · Mar 13, 2017

Matching plate and frame, 3341xx (no 'F'), 7/75, LH tag, Imperial tube.

dynodave · Mar 13, 2017

Les
Your frame details fall within my expectations.
The last detail I find consistantly with the metric tube frames is the rear loop shape is not freindly for the original fastback tail section. Some people might be aware I made a new mold to be able to make a metric freindly tail section. Though I'm not looking for work :lol:

The last research point is the letter & date stamp on the lower LH gusset (behind the Z-plate) seems to only be present on imperial tube frames but no date stamp on the metric? Still researching this one...
dave

L.A.B. · Mar 13, 2017

dynodave said:
The last research point is the letter & date stamp on the lower LH gusset (behind the Z-plate) seems to only be present on imperial tube frames but no date stamp on the metric? Still researching this one...

I think it ended with the original Reynolds frames?
My Mk3's Imperial frame doesn't have it.

Rohan · Mar 13, 2017

Define "original Reynolds frames" here ?

Can it be imperial and not Reynolds ?

L.A.B. · Mar 13, 2017

Dave,
What about the additional five-digit number (00xxx) often found on the headstock of 850 frames?

I would guess it's a (Verlicchi?) frame batch number as it seems to start at 00100 in '73 and continues to 00138 (Edit 00143) or higher by '75.

Owners with 1973 850's, look for number 00104 (2015)

I have an 1973 850 with a frame stamping, 00104, I wonder if its something the factory did? The bike was made in March 1973 a 1973 850.Look for number 00104 on the left side next to the data plate.

www.accessnorton.com

jimbo said:

Rohan said:
Define "original Reynolds frames" here ?

Can it be imperial and not Reynolds ?

I seem to remember reading in, I think, a Ken Sprayson article that a frame shop was eventually set up at the Wolverhampton factory.
If so, they were not exactly 'Reynolds' frames.

dynodave · Mar 13, 2017

L.A.B. said:
Dave,
What about the additional five-digit number (00xxx) often found on the headstock of 850 frames?

I would guess it's a (Verlicchi?) frame batch number as it seemed to start at 00100 or 00101 in '73 and continued to 00138 (or higher) by '75.

I have 20 frames and 8 are 1973 and up.
I will watch out for this, but do not recall ever noticing it.

L.A.B. · Mar 13, 2017

dynodave said:
L.A.B. said:

Dave,
What about the additional five-digit number (00xxx) often found on the headstock of 850 frames?

I would guess it's a (Verlicchi?) frame batch number as it seemed to start at 00100 or 00101 in '73 and continued to 00138 (or higher) by '75.

Click to expand...

I have 20 frames and 8 are 1973 and up.
I will watch out for this, but do not recall ever noticing it.

Well, we've had several members remark/enquire in the past about "the odd 5-digit number on the headstock" so it seems to be common on 850 frames.

A MKIII that has its stamped # same as rest

jimbo

L.A.B.

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dynodave

worntorn

Mark

dynodave

Deets55

dynodave

L.A.B.

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dynodave

L.A.B.

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Rohan

L.A.B.

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Owners with 1973 850's, look for number 00104 (2015)

dynodave

L.A.B.

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