head steady and year of production

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

Orsonoce

Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
234
hi guys, quick question:
my bike is a disk brake combat with a 1972 frame and matching engine number (210192).
My head steady is the 1973 model http://www.oldbritts.com/1973_g13.html not the basic 1972 and previous years one.

The alu plaque on the frame show a production date of march 1973. Log book indicates: first registration may 1973.

Can someone try give an explanation?

Clearly the head-steady could have been changed following the initial purchase, but I cannot find an explanation for the year of production + first registration given the frame number should defo be a 1972...
any idea?

another question is if that head steady is (much) better compared to the 1972 model... (i know there is a ton of literature here on that topic...).
head steady and year of production



head steady and year of production
 
The '72 and earlier head steadies were known to crack at the bend. Your headsteady is probably the way it came - same as the 850s in 1973. The 850 headsteady is better in that it won't break but still uses the squishy rubber biscuits. I have a '72 which came with stock headsteady (of course) then upgraded to later boxed in '73 type. Now using a link rod. Handles much better!
 
Orsonoce said:
The alu plaque on the frame show a production date of march 1973. Log book indicates: first registration may 1973.

Can someone try give an explanation?
Click to expand...

It's got a "K" registration plate?

So it couldn't have been registered later than July 1972 if that registration is genuine?
 
HI Les,
mind, the bike was imported from the usa. so it came with no plate. I got a certificate from the Norton Owners Club about the year of production (1972) as I wanted a 'K' plate. When I applied for that the DVLA told me the bike was registered in 1973 for the first time, but then given I had the certificate from the NOC they've agreed to give me a K plate...
 
Orsonoce said:
the bike was imported from the usa. so it came with no plate.
Click to expand...

I wondered if it was a US import-as the DVLA will issue an age related plate a year or so wide of the mark.



Orsonoce said:
I got a certificate from the Norton Owners Club about the year of production (1972) as I wanted a 'K' plate. When I applied for that the DVLA told me the bike was registered in 1973 for the first time, but then given I had the certificate from the NOC they've agreed to give me a K plate...
Click to expand...

So the NOC dating officer obviously seemed to think it was manufactured in 1972 which seems correct for the serial number?

March '73 seems much too late-but you never know?
 
Wait a minute here, Are we saying that this numbers matching 72 was manufactured in March 73? People are so unsuspecting.
What number is stamped on top the gearbox?

Yes, the boxed headsteady is (much) better (safer).
 
DogT said:
What is a 'K' plate if you don't mind.
Click to expand...

The UK registration mark, often referred to as the registration "number" (usually a combination of numbers and letters) issued from Feb. '63 - July '83 normally includes a registration "year" identification letter suffix (the UK vehicle registration year running from 1st. August to the following July at that time).

Aug. 83 - Aug. 2001 a prefix year letter was used.

Sept. 2001, the registration plate system changed completely and now has a two-digit number lasting for a 6 month period (Sept - Feb, and March - Aug.)

The same registration mark usually stays with the vehicle until it is scrapped or exported etc.

http://www.wolfbane.com/vreg.htm
 
So a K plate would indicate Liverpool? Here in the US it's all done by state and each state has their own system. I have an antique plate, but it still depends on the state, my Virginia plate with the antique registration is one time and forever and I can use an old 1970 plate which I found. I'm just curious. Top one is the antique plate I'm using, next lower is the last plate I had on the bike while using, I lived in Maryland then.

head steady and year of production


Virginia is named after the virgin queen as you most likely know.
 
The 750 stamped Y joke can be re-enforced like mine or use a 850 ugly box type or buy or make a rod link type. This one has lasted decades one of them mine, held up on Peel and now on Trixie. Note the two arc's across the hinge/fatigue area.

head steady and year of production
 
DogT said:
So a K plate would indicate Liverpool?
Click to expand...

No? As I thought I'd explained, it's the identification letter for the registration period from August 1971 to July 1972.

Suffices:

A FEB-1963 to DEC-1963
B JAN-1964 to DEC-1964
C JAN-1965 to DEC-1965
D JAN-1966 to DEC-1966
E JAN-1967 to JUL-1967
F AUG-1967 to JUL-1968
G AUG-1968 to JUL-1969
H AUG-1969 to JUL-1970
J AUG-1970 to JUL-1971
K AUG-1971 to JUL-1972
L AUG-1972 to JUL-1973
M AUG-1973 to JUL-1974
N AUG-1974 to JUL-1975
P AUG-1975 to JUL-1976
Q Special or temporarily imported from abroad
R AUG-1976 to JUL-1977
S AUG-1977 to JUL-1978
T AUG-1978 to JUL-1979
V AUG-1979 to JUL-1980
W AUG-1980 to JUL-1981
X AUG-1981 to JUL-1982
Y AUG-1982 to JUL-1983
Click to expand...
 
I guess that's the difference between how the US does things and the UK. US doesn't seem to care about when, just where. I'll have to talk to my Brit friends about this, I'm confused as usual. Thanks.

Dave
69S
 
pvisseriii said:
Wait a minute here, Are we saying that this numbers matching 72 was manufactured in March 73? People are so unsuspecting.
What number is stamped on top the gearbox?

Yes, the boxed headsteady is (much) better (safer).
Click to expand...

same number, all numbers are matching.
so from there the bike is a 72 production, but then it displays a production date in match 73 (followed by a registration in the same year).
are there cases of bikes stamped with production years different from their frame numbers years?

are there any other differences in terms of components between 72 and 73 I could check for? (head steady is one...).
 
Orsonoce said:
same number, all numbers are matching.
so from there the bike is a 72 production, but then it displays a production date in match 73 (followed by a registration in the same year).
are there cases of bikes stamped with production years different from their frame numbers years?

are there any other differences in terms of components between 72 and 73 I could check for? (head steady is one...).
Click to expand...

I'm curious to know exactly what information the NOC gave you?

Orsonoce said:
my bike is a disk brake combat with a 1972 frame and matching engine number (210192).
Click to expand...

What did you mean when you said it has a "1972" frame? Or did you mean that it has 'a matching 1972 frame and engine number'?
The box head steady was supposedly fitted from serial 220000.
Does it have a 5 bronze friction plate or 4 fibre plate clutch?
 
The box head steady was supposedly fitted from serial 220000.
Click to expand...

Both of my '73 750's had the flat headsteady (both have build dates of 11/72 on the tag). Both are 220XXX serial numbers.
Orsonoce's Fastback with Combat "C" on the head, black barrels, and short clock holders certainly indicate a 1972 model.

There is some controversy over whether any '73 Fastbacks were ever built. The popularity of the model had reached an all time low (at least in the US). Perhaps the factory had some fastbacks assembled in '72 and tagged them as '73's?

Another Norton mystery!
 
L.A.B. said:
Orsonoce said:
same number, all numbers are matching.
so from there the bike is a 72 production, but then it displays a production date in match 73 (followed by a registration in the same year).
are there cases of bikes stamped with production years different from their frame numbers years?

are there any other differences in terms of components between 72 and 73 I could check for? (head steady is one...).
Click to expand...

I'm curious to know exactly what information the NOC gave you?

Orsonoce said:
my bike is a disk brake combat with a 1972 frame and matching engine number (210192).
Click to expand...

What did you mean when you said it has a "1972" frame? Or did you mean that it has 'a matching 1972 frame and engine number'?
The box head steady was supposedly fitted from serial 220000.
Does it have a 5 bronze friction plate or 4 fibre plate clutch?
Click to expand...


NOC:
Something along the lines of: 'From the frame and engine number the model was manufactured in July 1972' (not sure of the month, do not have the doc with me atm).

1972 frame:
What I meant is frame and engine same number.

Clutch:
Never stripped the clutch. dunno.

Bottomline I understand this might be another of those Norton mysteries...?
 
Orsonoce said:
NOC:
Something along the lines of: 'From the frame and engine number the model was manufactured in July 1972' (not sure of the month, do not have the doc with me atm).
Click to expand...

That certainly sounds as if they gave you an estimated date of manufacture-presumably because they were unable to find any entries for "210192" in the factory records.


Orsonoce said:
Bottomline I understand this might be another of those Norton mysteries...?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's another Commando oddity! :)
 
Hi O,
ive had my 750 interstate from new & it was manufactured in Sept 72. the engine, frame & gearbox number is 211!!!.
I bought it in march 1973 & got an L reg plate on it.
I assume yours was made a few months before mine which probably would have a K reg number plate on it as yours does.
It is possible the plate on the headstock is not the original one & someone has stamped the wrong manufacture date on it.
The head steady does not sound original but that not suprissing on an old bike.
Quite often the ID plates got damaged when removed for repainting the frames.
The records officer should be able to give you the exact date of manufacture & a letter to cover this for a small fee of £10
If your bike was manufactured before 1st Jan 1973 it qualifies for free road fund licence in UK but if made after this date (as your ID plate says) then you should pay the full amount.
Cheers Don
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
Production Racer Head Steady Setup?
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
7,613
Throber
T
Stillreel
  • Locked
The thorny topic of Head Steady choices
2
Replies
30
Views
3,606
Torontonian
Torontonian
R
  • Locked
New Head Steady available
Replies
0
Views
730
RedRider1971
R
Back
Top