MK2 or MK2A? (2020)

Luke Turner · Apr 23, 2020

I've been unsure since I inherited the bike in 2017 from my old man. He thought it was a MK2A as it said so in the eBay listing when he bought the bike back in 2013... so that was that, he thought it was a MK2A & I did too.

It was re-imported back to England from Canada in 1993/94 and restored. It was a "wreck of a chopper" so had been messed about with a lot over the years.

My dad chased a bit of the history when he got the bike so I've got the work that was carried out in 93/94 on record. The engine, head, crankcase, gearbox, fuel tank, side panels, frame, fork brackets were all kept & restored.

I've attached some before/after photos from the chap who did the restoration in 1993/94.

Frame number: 314828
Engine number: 314828
VIN plate: 4 74

L.A.B. · Apr 23, 2020

Luke Turner said:
I've been unsure since I inherited the bike in 2017 from my old man. He thought it was a MK2A as it said so in the eBay listing when he bought the bike back in 2013... so that was that, he thought it was a MK2A & I did too.

It's a Mk2.

Edit: Hopefully, you will have re-routed the rear brake cable correctly (over the Z-plate) since the last photo was taken?

MichaelB · Apr 23, 2020

Looks like it originally had the Ham Can and under tank side cover clip, making it a Mark 2.
Which as far as I know does not change the value.
Nice looking resto BTW.

Enjoy.....

Bob Z. · Apr 23, 2020

Interesting, the 'as found' photos show the bike with a Triumph? rear wheel?
I've never seen that.
Nice looking bike.

Tornado · Apr 23, 2020

Wow what a wonderful restoration!

MK2A had the plastic air filter box. Another major difference will be the swingarm oil sealing caps. MK2's have the long thin "bolt" trying to clamp the two caps into the rubber o-ring seals of the SA spindle, and there was a oil-nipple (looking just like a grease nipple) on the right hand cap. MK2A's used welch type caps, popped into SA spindle ends (no bolt) and had felt oiling block within, to provide a more permanent lubrication effect.

My 850 was also from Alberta. Judging by the VIN's and date stamp, mine was one month younger than your (3 74; VIN 3134XX). It was a HiRider MK2, now a proper Roadster

Here I am on one the first excursions, still sporting the HiRider tank:

L.A.B. · Apr 23, 2020

Tornado said:
MK2's have the long thin "bolt" trying to clamp the two caps into the rubber o-ring seals of the SA spindle, and there was a oil-nipple (looking just like a grease nipple) on the right hand cap. MK2A's used welch type caps, popped into SA spindle ends (no bolt) and had felt oiling block within, to provide a more permanent lubrication effect.

The later Mk2 and Mk2A models both had the 'sealed' swingarm pivot.

The Mk2A is not a later model than the Mk2 as often thought but was the 'low noise' model for the European market and the Mk2 was the US market version although some Mk2As were eventually sold in the US.

MichaelB · Apr 23, 2020

Other 2A's were probably around but here in SoCal, the only 2A's I remember seeing at the dealer were the JPN's.
Which I thought odd, make a Racer Replica with the 'Low Noise' version.
Just seemed odd.

L.A.B. · Apr 23, 2020

MichaelB said:
Other 2A's were probably around but here in SoCal, the only 2A's I remember seeing at the dealer were the JPN's.
Which I thought odd, make a Racer Replica with the 'Low Noise' version.
Just seemed odd.

I'm guessing they chose the Mk2A model for the JPN as it could be sold in both Europe and the USA otherwise they would've had to have made two different specification JPNs.

MichaelB · Apr 23, 2020

That's probably so. 1 series of Black exhaust..

gortnipper · Apr 23, 2020

Luke Turner said:
Frame number: 314828
Engine number: 314828
VIN plate: 4 74

What a great number for an 850!
Mine is also a 4/74 mk2, about 600 ahead of yours.

NortonMKIIA850 · Apr 24, 2020

My MK2A has the long thin bolt through the swinging arm pivot … As well as the plastic air box and transverse battery. Frame stamped 09/73. I can't see a return spring on the brake pedal …? Not an original item, but a life-saver: http://doov.com/apps/nortoncompanio...=13:rear-brake-return-spring&catid=1&Itemid=8

cliffa · Apr 24, 2020

Luke Turner said:
I've been unsure since I inherited the bike in 2017 from my old man. He thought it was a MK2A as it said so in the eBay listing when he bought the bike back in 2013... so that was that, he thought it was a MK2A & I did too.

It was re-imported back to England from Canada in 1993/94 and restored. It was a "wreck of a chopper" so had been messed about with a lot over the years.

My dad chased a bit of the history when he got the bike so I've got the work that was carried out in 93/94 on record. The engine, head, crankcase, gearbox, fuel tank, side panels, frame, fork brackets were all kept & restored.

I've attached some before/after photos from the chap who did the restoration in 1993/94.

Frame number: 314828
Engine number: 314828
VIN plate: 4 74

Luke, The bike looks great. I see you have an S.U. carb. What sort of range do you get with the Roadster tank ?

Cheers,

cliffa.

Luke Turner · Apr 28, 2020

L.A.B. said:
It's a Mk2.

Edit: Hopefully, you will have re-routed the rear brake cable correctly (over the Z-plate) since the last photo was taken?

Yes! I did that in recent years so it's spent a couple of decades routed incorrectly...

cliffa said:
Luke, The bike looks great. I see you have an S.U. carb. What sort of range do you get with the Roadster tank ?

Cheers,

cliffa.

The SU carb went a while ago. When my dad bought the bike it had a Mikuni VM36 on it. It'd be nice to get Amals back on it but £££!

Luke Turner · Apr 28, 2020

& thank you for all of your replies! It's much appreciated & good to confirm my suspicions.

Pete D. M. · May 10, 2022

NortonMKIIA850 said:
My MK2A has the long thin bolt through the swinging arm pivot … As well as the plastic air box and transverse battery. Frame stamped 09/73. I can't see a return spring on the brake pedal …? Not an original item, but a life-saver: http://doov.com/apps/nortoncompanio...=13:rear-brake-return-spring&catid=1&Itemid=8

Mine too. It’s also dated 09/73.

MK2 or MK2A? (2020)

Luke Turner

L.A.B.

Moderator

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

Bob Z.

Tornado

L.A.B.

Moderator

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

L.A.B.

Moderator

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

gortnipper

NortonMKIIA850

cliffa

Luke Turner

Luke Turner

Pete D. M.

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