Norton Commando Engine/Frame No.

Hi, I've been given the following matching numbers on a 1970 Commando. Is this a strange number or what ? 13 SS 1297 32 P . I can't make head nor tail of it from the Norton chart. Seems to be a Model 50 SS which I don't even think model 50's came in SS and the P is 1959 which was before the 650SS. I though the 3 might have been mistaken for an 8 which would have made it a 650SS model number but not in 59. I'm confused !

Are you sure its not 18ss rather than 13?
If so that would be a prefix for a 650ss. As I recall, the P is for Plumstead.


Glen

Person who has the bike has assured me that is the number and it is on both engine and plate on frame. Even if it were 18SS it doesn't explain why it is on the frame. Baffling ! It is for sale here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=476169679&open_homes=&region=&district=

It's a bit of a bitsa from the look of things. It's certainly a 750 engine, based on the breather location and with the cam driven points, should have a 20 M3S prefix. The most likely background is that someone has applied the number from an earlier bike, perhaps to use the registration (or save paying tax etc for more than one Norton).

I'd want to see good close-up photos of the numbers if it were me and I wouldn't touch it if they look dodgy.

Without wishing to cast aspersions, didn't NZ have horrific statistics for British bike theft some years ago ? A 'ringer' is not impossible.

I was thinking the same thing about being a bitsa. I see that they posted that the number was on the frame and powder coated over. Didn't all commando's have the separate plate fixed to headstock. Actually talking about the plate how is it affixed to the frame, riveted on ? Mine is in a box of spares that come with my bike. I couldn't imagine drilling holes just to rivet plate on.

ozzie041974 said:

I see that they posted that the number was on the frame and powder coated over. Didn't all commando's have the separate plate fixed to headstock.

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Early Commandos didn't have the certification plate.

ozzie041974 said:

Actually talking about the plate how is it affixed to the frame, riveted on ?

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The plates were fixed with "hammer drive" screws.

Hammer drive screw: 061287
http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Norton% ... 010&Part=3

It is a curious assemblage of parts. Early pre-Commando headlight ears, but late model disc brake forks and wheels. '71-'74 cush drive rear wheel, but '69-'70 style side panels. Still, it could make a nice rider!

I have since been advised that the number does indeed start with 18SS. This correlates to a 650SS which finished in 1967. Is it possible the 18SS number was rolled over to the very first Commando frames/engines in 1968 ? The owner was none to happy about me starting this thread. Obviously doesn't appreciate the meaning of matching numbers and year for a collector.

ozzie041974 said:

I have since been advised that the number does indeed start with 18SS. This correlates to a 650SS which finished in 1967. Is it possible the 18SS number was rolled over to the very first Commando frames/engines in 1968 ?

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18SS is also 650 Mercury. Serial number 129732 also falls within the range of the Mercury production series 129146-129896 all probably with the /P suffix.

http://www.nortonownersclub.org/noc-cha ... /302073698

Early Commandos had the 20M3 prefix. As it has the camshaft points then it isn't all that early, and it ought to have the 20M3S prefix but the 20M3S series did not start until 131257.

ozzie041974 said:

The owner was none to happy about me starting this thread. Obviously doesn't appreciate the meaning of matching numbers and year for a collector.

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It's clearly a bitsa, apparently with a Mercury model code and serial number.