Looking at an Atlas?

Bear with me, I have limited information. A guy at work has a neighbor cleaning out his garage. He is supposed to have a 61 Atlas. First, is this even a possible model for the year? Would it be a 650? I know very little about this model.
If he does have the year wrong, and it does turn out to be an Atlas what is the collectability, value etc. of this motorcycle. Does it have the mystique of the Commando? Is it a worthwhile project?
Price has not yet been discussed, and I dont know the condition of the bike. It has apparently been in his garage since the 70s. If it is a complete and not running bike, what would be a fair price? (an educated guess? Range?)
Take it easy on me, I know there is very little information here and a lot of wishful thinking. I am just looking for some insight before I go to see it.
I have been searching the net, but havent found much on it.
I must be nuts for even going to look at it, as my Commando is still not yet in running order.
Thanks in advance.
MikeM

A 61 Atlas would be a vertical 750 engine in a featherbed frame. Probably worth a little more than a similar Commando. They handle very well but vibrate a lot. I would love to run into a deal on one. Jim

Only worth more than a Commando if it was in totally EXCELLENT condition. !

Yes, 61 is too early for an Atlas. There were 500s and 600s and 650s (and SS versions of some) that all look very similar. Grab the engine and frame numbers to confirm what it is.

Rohan said:

comnoz said:

A 61 Atlas would be a vertical 750 engine in a featherbed frame. Probably worth a little more than a similar Commando. They handle very well but vibrate a lot. I would love to run into a deal on one. Jim

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Only worth more than a Commando if it was in totally EXCELLENT condition. !

Yes, 61 is too early for an Atlas. There were 500s and 600s and 650s (and SS versions of some) that all look very similar. Grab the engine and frame numbers to confirm what it is.

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I am certainly not an Atlas expert but I thought the Atlas was introduced in 61???.

Whatever it is, go for it at the cheapest possible price, you can always sell it after. Offer him $500 at first, or tell him you will give him 50% of what you sell it for which is even better since he may not know how much you will sell it for :mrgreen:

Jean

comnoz said:

I am certainly not an Atlas expert but I thought the Atlas was introduced in 61???.

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Bacon says it was announced in late 1961 for the 1962 season - but is a little vague in the wording (perhaps didn't know).

Anyone know a first serial number and date of manufacture ?

I couldn't find it but I know I have a cycle magazine from 1961 with a cover story on the new Atlas. Maybe it was new for 1962. Jim

Feb 1964 108000 First Atlas on my unverified list.

Dave
69S

DogT said:

Feb 1964 108000 First Atlas on my unverified list.

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108000 = First UK Atlas.

The 750 Atlas was launched in early March 1962, so presumably the factory had already been building them for a few months prior to the release date.

However the 750 Atlas wasn't officially available in the UK until late 1963-early 1964 (108000 being the start of 1964 production) as all Atlas production before that date were for "export only".
http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Maint ... umbers.htm

Oct 61 I think Atlas 750 first produced . :shock: Verification for Classic Raceing , centuries ago .For U.S. market .

To me Ebays usually what the sillyest mug on the planet for something . NOT the ' market price ' . What Market .

Mike,
I'll tell you that the Atlas is an excellent motorcycle. I own one, and ride it daily.
Price always depends on the condition obviously, but in my personal opinion they're worth more than just about any Commando in the same condition. I owned a Commando for many years as well. And it was also a terrific motorcycle. Any Norton in my opinion is excellent.
I also live in the Chicago are, and would be happy to help if you need.

You can get the frame number / motor number and identify it through the Norvil website:
http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/

From what I know, 62 was the first year for the Atlas in the US. 64 was the first year for it in the UK.

Either way, it'll be a Featherbed frame. And the 600 and 650 motors in those frames are even smoother than the 750.
Best of luck with the purchase.
Jeff

The vibration problem with the Atlas was the main driving force behind the development of the Commando. Why it got so much worse than on the 650, I don't know. I don't remember if the increased capacity came from a longer stroke, but that would have cause a bigger vibration increase than a bigger bore.

We used to reckon the life of an Atlas headlight bulb was 5000 miles and whether it was switched on or not didn't make a significant difference. The failure was caused by the bulb filament being shaken off its posts!

The 650 was 68 x 89 and the Atlas 73 x 89 , so the increase was in a 5mm larger piston.

Since original Atlas pistons can be recognised from the dished top, it seems an attempt was made to reduce vibration by reducing the compression. This suggests that the vibration was combustion induced ?

It is very noticeable that modern engines have tamed such effects down very considerably.
I drove a car with a new version of engine a good while back, it would pull away from rest in top gear without baulking, phenomenal. Especially compared to the previous model - shows what a bit of attention to the design will do...

That Norvil list of serial numbers and bikes seems screwed up. It says that the model 88s that they were putting out in August 1962 were numbered in the 97xxx range, but the 600 and 650cc bikes were being stamped 104xxx at the same time? Also it has the number 94500 listed as some event for the 1961 model year, but then it lists the first 650cc bike as a 1961 with a serial number in the 93xxx range.

It has the serial number for the 1962 bikes listed as 101060, but there are 62' 650 bikes around with serial numbers below and above that.

From memory the first Atlas bikes had numbers in the 104xxx range.

And the bike is not guaranteed to be an Atlas or even a featherbed. I went and looked at a fellow with an "Atlas" for sale once and it was an Electra 400 twin.......which is good for not much more than dismantling and filling in holes with.....

If it is an Atlas 750, it will have a breather pipe on the Left hand side front crankcase.
If no breather pipe, count the number of fins on the barrel, not the head you can then tell if the engine is 650, or 500.
I find that engines were swapped about, and there have even been 750 engines in a 650ss frame, so don’t go on chassis number alone!