Norton slimline frame numbers.

steve828

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Jan 26, 2013
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Hi all!

My names Steve, ive been looking over the forums alot recently, and ive decided to join!
Ive recently picked up a slimline featherbed frame as abit of a project (triton) and im having trouble with the frame numbers, as some kind soul has decided to drill through the left frame gusset! :roll:
Basically the last digits are there, but the second digit down (what i think is model code?) is missing, i dont have a log book, or plate, so im guessing i have to get a dating certificate, to get a log book once the bikes built? it looks like this.

N1 - (Note, the "one" is a different, thinner font compared to the one below it)
1
* ---- missing
7
6
6
3
5

Can anyone help me try work out what model of bike this frame is from?

many thanks, Steve.
 
The year and model code is written horizontally, and the actual number is stamped vertically.
This is tending towards this frame being a 58 wideline ??

Any chance of a pic, so we all are talking the same thing ?
 
My 57 Wideline has a
14
5
7
0
0
and my Slimline frame starts with
18
9
5
0
0
0

the top number should be 2 digits, if its a Slimline it should start with 18, my Slimline was one of the first Slimline Featherbed a 60 model Manxman and by the mount of numbers on yours I say it could be a late model Slimline, maybe a Atlas 66/67 model???

But I could be wrong, hope this helps.

Ashley
 
A slimline could come with model codes 122, 14, 18, 20, 4 and 13.
But that number sequence doesn't seem high enough to even put it into the slimline range.
Or so high it would have to be Mercury or Commando. ?

Lotsa sellers don't have a clue what they are selling, we'd need to see a pic to be sure its even a slimline.
And see if its for a single or for a twin, to reduce the possibilities...
 
Hi, first of all, thanks you for the help, im very greatfull.

Ive takensome images that may help.

This is the frame.

Norton slimline frame numbers.



This is the bottom r/h frame rail, that someone has welded a piece into, didnt some come with a loop in :?:

Norton slimline frame numbers.


This is, whats left, of the frame number...

Norton slimline frame numbers.



I really hope this helps, as im starting to worry a little now!

Many thanks, Steve.
 
Ive never seen what a slimine number looks like, are you thinking those arent the origonal numbers :cry:
 
It does appear from the photos that there are the faint remains of a different number running alongside the more heavily stamped number you see (including the thinner font 1 you mention)
 
yeah i agree, it appears to be a faint 1, and a 2? i was thinking someones moved the numbers when they drilled the holes?
Making the serial number 1216635 but this is too long isnt it?

I hope i can rescue this, hate to think ive bought a stolen bike :(
 
Hi , with only two tabs at front for engine mounts, it could be a single (ES2 or model 50) frame...........!
 
Hi.
Genuine Norton frame will have a build date stamp on the top lug where the engine head steady plate is bolted or maybe near. My slimline is stamped 261M indicating second month 1961. Perhaps someone else knows the meaning of the M.
If yours is stamped, it may give you a pointer to the frame Number, mine starts 14 that’s the 99 model (18 for 88) then
9
8
0
-
-
5 in total for frame number the engine number is the same.
 
Hi,

the build stamp on the bracket is 5/62/m, does this help any?

I think the 2 digit model stamp dissapeared after 1960 didnt it? and there was just a 6 digit number?

what exactly do i need for a dating cert? and will it pass the DVLA inspection if the number is half there?
 
Hi
With year 1962 numbers will have probably reached 100,000 so an extra digit. My 1961 bike is marked 14 on both frame and engine. There were changes to numbering system when factory moved. If frame belongs to a single ES2 Model 50 there will be a flat on inside of top rail to clear head.
 
That frame number is a mess, I would not let any official see it. Fill it in and paint it over and forget it. Buy one of the blank Commando frame I.D. number plates off Ebay , stamp whatever you want into it then rivet it on the frame somewhere. If you want a 1962 frame then fill it out that way and you can always show officials the date stamp up by the steering head to back it up.

Good luck.
 
Obvious re-stamp mess.

Depending on what state you're in, could be a right mess, or could be no issue at all.
 
beng said:
That frame number is a mess, I would not let any official see it. Fill it in and paint it over and forget it. Buy one of the blank Commando frame I.D. number plates off Ebay , stamp whatever you want into it then rivet it on the frame somewhere. If you want a 1962 frame then fill it out that way and you can always show officials the date stamp up by the steering head to back it up.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

If you are in the UK, you might not get away with that at the MOT testing station, or you might- if the tester has never seen a Norton f/bed before.
 
I've got a friend who just finished an Atlas featherbed frame Triton. He got a brass plate to mount on that gusset that reads the serial number that came with the bill of sale and reads:

20
1 T
1 R
9 I
x T
x 0
x N

He's managed to title it as a 1967 Triton

I'll ask him where he got the plate. Bike's got a nicely warmed-over T140, and almost everything on it is as it would have been circa 1975, including real Dunstall mufflers with the red 'Dunstall Power' badges riveted on, TLS Commando brake, and Tomaselli clip-ons and levers. Even the Oil filter is an NOS 1974 Commando filter (he mounted it in the same spot it would go on a Commando). One modern piece is the Landsdowne fork kit. I took some pictures of it at the show Saturday, but the glare from that polished tank ruined the pics (don't take pictures in the sun with polarized sunglasses).

He won best Cafe Racer and I won best Norton for the Ranger. We've both been invited to the Boca Concours d'Elegance next month.
 
BillT said:
He won best Cafe Racer and I won best Norton for the Ranger. We've both been invited to the Boca Concours d'Elegance next month.
Click to expand...

Congrats, and well deserved.
 
grandpaul said:
Congrats, and well deserved.
Click to expand...

Thanks, GP. I'll post up pics in the next week or so, also showing that brass ID plate. I think that's a nice way to set off a cafe.
 
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