New to me 1965 Norton Atlas

Johnnymac · Aug 5, 2016

Well, I did it again. I bought another Norton. I'm picking up a 1965 Norton Atlas tomorrow. I will post pictures as soon as I get her home. Why do I need a third Norton...a second Atlas? Answer should be obvious, because Nortons are the very best and I want it.

Stay tuned. I should have it home by this time tomorrow. I am very excited!!!!

texasSlick · Aug 5, 2016

Johnny

You are going to need another NOS K2FC!

Slick

grandpaul · Aug 6, 2016

texasSlick said:
Johnny, You are going to need another NOS K2FC!

Not necessarily; I good percentage of the old ones are still ticking right along...

texasSlick · Aug 6, 2016

grandpaul said:
texasSlick said:

Johnny, You are going to need another NOS K2FC!

Click to expand...

Not necessarily; I good percentage of the old ones are still ticking right along...

I agree GrandPaul, I was just pulling Johhny's chain .... if you remember, he found a new in the box K2FC (his avatar). I'm challenging him to do it again!

Slick

Johnnymac · Aug 6, 2016

texasSlick said:
grandpaul said:

texasSlick said:

Johnny, You are going to need another NOS K2FC!

Click to expand...

Not necessarily; I good percentage of the old ones are still ticking right along...

Click to expand...

I agree GrandPaul, I was just pulling Johhny's chain .... if you remember, he found a new in the box K2FC (his avatar). I'm challenging him to do it again!

Slick

Haha.

Well wouldn't you know it, the new Atlas has a completely rebuilt K2FC!

Not sure why there is that braided ground wire though. Bike runs great. More pics tonight!

Johnnymac · Aug 6, 2016

Well here she is. What do you think?

ashman · Aug 7, 2016

You done well Johnny, it looks great with the Commando gauge holders and over all the bike looks to be in good shape and you haven't even taken it for a ride yet, anyway enjoy your new toy.

Ashley

Johnnymac · Aug 7, 2016

ashman said:
You done well Johnny, it looks great with the Commando gauge holders and over all the bike looks to be in good shape and you haven't even taken it for a ride yet, anyway enjoy your new toy.

Ashley

Thanks Ash! It will be fun making this mine!! I don't even want to ride it with that Kreem in the tank. That stuff can clog up everything if I don't take care of it soon. Still trying to figure out what color I'm going to go with.

Johnnymac · Aug 8, 2016

Other thing I found out is that the bike is titled as a 1965, but its numbers indicate it's a 1963 Atlas. I don't think that matters much though.

L.E.N. · Aug 8, 2016

The titles can get confusing at times with their dates. My 850 Commando title had 1974, but the #''s are 305750 and therefore a 1973. When I transferred it into my name I had it changed to a 1973, however the barrels came painted black originally so maybe it was a 1974 afterall. I don't know, it was modded at some point with Dunstall bits and some other parts too, so for me it doesn't matter as much. But you are into originality so it may make more of a difference for you.
Lance

texasSlick · Aug 8, 2016

Johnnymac said:
Other thing I found out is that the bike is titled as a 1965, but its numbers indicate it's a 1963 Atlas. I don't think that matters much though.

What are the frame, engine and gearbox numbers? I'll compare to my '63.

The headlight bucket, and ammeter are not right for early Atlas's. Neither is right of center fuel filler cap.

Are fork yokes 7 inch, (early) or 7 3/8 inch centers?

Slick

Johnnymac · Aug 8, 2016

texasSlick said:
Johnnymac said:

Other thing I found out is that the bike is titled as a 1965, but its numbers indicate it's a 1963 Atlas. I don't think that matters much though.

Click to expand...

What are the frame, engine and gearbox numbers? I'll compare to my '63.

The headlight bucket, and ammeter are not right for early Atlas's. Neither is right of center fuel filler cap.

Are fork yokes 7 inch, (early) or 7 3/8 inch centers?

Slick

Hey Slick. The Engine number is 20/105761/P

Looks like it's got the later 7 3/8 yolks too. From what I understand it was a basket case 15 years ago. I have lots of receipts for things like an entirely new clutch, headlight bucket. Haven't seen one for a tank though. I imagine that he pieced a lot of Atlas parts together from various years.

I'm thinking that I might go with another alloy tank from the UK since the exchange rate is in my favor.

I wish I didn't have the expense but It's going to cost me a lot of money to get this one refurbished, sealed and painted.

texasSlick · Aug 8, 2016

Johnny

My '63, actually dispatched May '62, has number 102833. Yours is about 3000 higher, which would put it in the '63 year production run.

The wide forks appeared in '64. Both my '62 and '63 Atlas's had black paint headlight buckets with black face ammeters mounted right of center, main lighting switch opposite the ammeters left of center, and centered between ammeter and main switch was the Lucas lion medallion. The chronometric speedo was mounted in the headlight bucket.

Both my Atlas's had left of center fuel filler caps.

I do not know how much of a purist you are, but that bike is admirable as is.

Good luck with it.

Slick

Johnnymac · Aug 11, 2016

Thanks guys! It's a great bike. I ordered some Norman Hyde M Bars for it. I am trying to decide what I want to do with it. My wife isn't exactly happy that I bought another bike instead of taking her on a vacation...... So I may be listing this for sale in the near future. If anyone is thinking about buying an Atlas, please let me know, maybe we can work out a good deal.

New to me 1965 Norton Atlas

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