I have a 1958 ES2 frame and yes they use the Matchless stand as well as Matchless like lower frame rails rather than the cast angle iron cradle of the earlier frames. I believe AMC dictated that a redesign was necessary (better steering head angle and better support of the swingarm spindle amongst other mods) and the AMC styled slab sidecovers and oiltank were also adopted. This frame (not the twin frame) with a few mods is used by the Nomad twins - they also have compy Matchless style footpegs and mounting lugs
Matchless G80 Engine reassembly
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The reason for the similarity is probably that the Plumstead factory constructed frames for Norton between 1953 and 1960 ! This does not include Featherbed frames, which were built by Reynold Tube Co. There are some differences but overall, Norton's brazed/bolted cradle frames for model 50/ES2/7/77/19/Nomad are virtually identical to Matchless single downtube frames. There are differences for swinging arm and subframe though.
Supply of frames ceased when Matchless introduced their duplex frame for 1960, so last year for the Nomad was 1960 and for the others, last year was 1958. Model 50 and ES2 were re-introduced in a Featherbed chassis for 1959.
Battery carrier and oil tank are not identical to the AJS/Matchless pattern, although they do resemble. AMC operated a press work in the Plumstead factory, serving the entire group with sheet metal pressings, so making these parts for Norton would have been a fairly simple task.
Sheet metal parts may have been painted or plated at the Plumstead works as well before shipping off to Birmingham.
- Knut
Supply of frames ceased when Matchless introduced their duplex frame for 1960, so last year for the Nomad was 1960 and for the others, last year was 1958. Model 50 and ES2 were re-introduced in a Featherbed chassis for 1959.
Battery carrier and oil tank are not identical to the AJS/Matchless pattern, although they do resemble. AMC operated a press work in the Plumstead factory, serving the entire group with sheet metal pressings, so making these parts for Norton would have been a fairly simple task.
Sheet metal parts may have been painted or plated at the Plumstead works as well before shipping off to Birmingham.
- Knut
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