Are these mormal stamp markings on this 62 88ss ?

Your thoughts or verification would be appreciated

122 is a 500 twin. The engine number is in the right sequence for 1962 63.

Not sure if the 88SS should be there but it might be right for a 500 SS.

Don't know about the gearbox noes. I have more often seen the noes stamped along the top of the gearbox shell. But the noes look the right style. Someone will know I'm sure.

And if you have a complete 1963 500 SS with the downdraught head you have a very special and rare bike.

johnm said:

122 is a 500 twin. The engine number is in the right sequence for 1962 63.

Not sure if the 88SS should be there but it might be right for a 500 SS.

Don't know about the gearbox noes. I have more often seen the noes stamped along the top of the gearbox shell. But the noes look the right style. Someone will know I'm sure.

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The bike was originally dispatched to Malaysia for police use with a single monobloc ...which seems about right as most british bikes around that time the cops used were mostly single carb....he is a couple more shots

NA on the gearbox is right from 1963 on.

Now someone is going to know this for sure but I think the no of fins means it a 650? Don't quote me but my 500 has 8 fins on the barrel and that has 9.

johnm said:

NA on the gearbox is right from 1963 on.

Now someone is going to know this for sure but I think the no of fins means it a 650? Don't quote me but my 500 has 8 fins on the barrel and that has 9.

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Yes agree (nice spotting) I'm sure they had 8 fins from what I've read before...wonder if its got 99 barrels etc ?

Is this bike in Nelson? A friend knows of a 500 SS imported from Singapore and turned into a 650.

johnm said:

Is this bike in Nelson? A friend knows of a 500 SS imported from Singapore and turned into a 650.

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Its in Auckland about to be sold as genuine 88ss...sounds like the same bike alright...

No I think the other bike is still in Nelson.

Pretty sure that's one of the ex Asian bikes that NZ servicemen bought back to NZ in the 1960s.

It was a 500 88SS now converted to a 650 SS.

johnm said:

No I think the other bike is still in Nelson.

Pretty sure that's one of the ex Asian bikes that NZ servicemen bought back to NZ in the 1960s.

It was a 500 88SS now converted to a 650 SS.

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This bike was imported into New Zealand in the late 80's from Singapore ?

johnm said:

No I think the other bike is still in Nelson.

Pretty sure that's one of the ex Asian bikes that NZ servicemen bought back to NZ in the 1960s.

It was a 500 88SS now converted to a 650 SS.

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Is this number relevant ?

If you want someone to look at it in Auckland, I could do that for you.

gortnipper said:

If you want someone to look at it in Auckland, I could do that for you.

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I was planning to inspect and possibly to a compression check ...unfortunately I'm a bit put off at present but thanks for the offer

KiwiShane said:

Is this number relevant ?

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Looks like a casting number which may mean something to an expert but I don't know sorry.

Also looks like points and not a magneto?

Definitely looks like a 600/650 with the 9 fins. Could be taken back to 500, but the barrels and crank are pretty hard to find these days. The 88ss cranks were known to break if ridden very hard (small rod journals), so as a daily rider a 650 might be a better option. It shouldn't be sold as a genuine 88ss though.

I've got some 500, 600, and 650 barrels I could check casting numbers on, but I can't read the last couple digits in the pic. Not sure it would change anything if you knew the numbers, but I'd be happy to check.

If a “650 conversion” assume this 88ss case has the rod clearance bulge (does this fit the year?) but what’s on the inside???? Just a barrel swap?

I’d be real tempted to buy regardless.

t ingermanson said:

Definitely looks like a 600/650 with the 9 fins. Could be taken back to 500, but the barrels and crank are pretty hard to find these days. The 88ss cranks were known to break if ridden very hard (small rod journals), so as a daily rider a 650 might be a better option. It shouldn't be sold as a genuine 88ss though.

I've got some 500, 600, and 650 barrels I could check casting numbers on, but I can't read the last couple digits in the pic. Not sure it would change anything if you knew the numbers, but I'd be happy to check.

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Appreciate your input...will try and find a better photo if I can to get last 2 numbers hopefully

kernel65 said:

If a “650 conversion” assume this 88ss case has the rod clearance bulge (does this fit the year?) but what’s on the inside???? Just a barrel swap?

I’d be real tempted to buy regardless.

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That seems to be my dilemma as I don't know whats been done to the inside it may be perfect but its clear its not original as advertised...cheers

You might want to talk to Ken McIntosh. My friend said he has talked with Ken who told him about several bikes bought into NZ from Asia by ex service guys. NZ had bases up there until the early 80s I think. Ken may know the bike.

@kernel65 is correct with the part about the 650 needing the "bulge" cases. The 99 crank fits in the standard cases, but the 650ss is a stroked 99, so needs a bit of clearance inside the case for the stock rods and have cut-out skirted pistons. I think it's been said you can grind down the outside shoulder on the rod bolts and grind out the inside of the cases to get a 650 to fit, but sounds sketchy to me! That could be total BS though.

There is some lore around the last of the 88ss bikes running the bulge cases, as Norton was out of the non-bulge cases. Don't know about the stories, but '62/63 was far from the end of the 88ss production run.

Just checked my 650 barrels and all of them (3) have 22710 as the barrel casting number. My 600 is screwed up in a crate, so I didn't get into that. The 88ss barrels were (I think) a different casting that had a fin shape that matched the downdraught head. I don't have one of those, so no point in digging into the barrel boxes for a std 88 casting number. The pics show a fin shape that matches the dd head.

If I'm jumping to conclusions based on the numbers (if correct and genuine numbers) and available pics, I'd reckon the motor was assembled with 99 crank and 650ss barrels. If so, with that downdraught head, some nice pistons, and with an ss cam, it could be a real nice bike. Not as torquey as the 650ss, but still fun and fast enough to kill you.

I'm with @kernel65 again, and be real tempted. We don't get as many pre-Commandos over here though, so pickin's are slimmer.