Norton, which model? Identification!!

serbatac · Feb 16, 2017

Hello everybody,
I m french,
I just bought a customized norton,

I am beginner in the nortons,
What is the type of this engine?
What is the model of frame? Slimline or wideline?

Thank you for your help
Seb.

Mike B · Feb 16, 2017

Pretty bike. Slimline featherbed frame, engine looks like an ES2, gearbox is later AMC type.

Mike B.

triumph2 · Feb 16, 2017

And a late '60's Triumph front brake.

Rohan · Feb 16, 2017

And a BSA/Triumph conical rear hub, adapted to fit a Norton.
Very nice example of a featherbed Norton ES2 cafe racer,
with a Manx style tank and oil tank.
Very tidy indeed.

gtsun · Feb 16, 2017

Wow that is one of my dream Norton combos!! Slimline featherbed with any effort to moto slimline featherbed with a ES2 motor? Very very very very nice.

serbatac · Feb 16, 2017

thanks for these informations,
How do you know it's a slimline frame?

Rohan · Feb 16, 2017

serbatac said:
thanks for these informations,
How do you know it's a slimline frame?

The curvature of the frame tubes around near the rear shocks.
The wideline had absolutely straight tubes there.

If you look at it from above, at the front of the seat the tubes should curve inwards a bit
- to give some space for your knees.
The wideline didn't give any space for your knees !

You might need the seat and tank off to see this, they can hide it to some extent.

Rohan · Feb 16, 2017

Previous pic here of a slimline.
Note how the frame is narrower (slimmer) just in front of the seat area.

There are a few slightly different versions, to suit various models and years,
so yours may not be perfectly identical to this...

serbatac · Feb 17, 2017

Ok, I understood the difference (slimline/wideline)
The bike is not perfectly restored but it gives it charm
It works well but not easy to regulate

more pics:

The gaz tank is made of fiberglass,
I want to replace it with aluminium tank,
Where can i find the good model tank for my fram ?

thanks you for your help!
seb

serbatac · Feb 24, 2017

Who can tell me what year is the engine and what power has it?

thanks
sebastien

Triton Thrasher · Feb 24, 2017

serbatac said:
Who can tell me what year is the engine and what power has it?

thanks
sebastien

Tell us the engine number.

It's a handsome bike. I don't like the slightly chopper-ish silencer though.

serbatac · Feb 24, 2017

Engine : 41843 79x100 HH843

Frame : R88927

ntst8 · Feb 24, 2017

serbatac said:
Engine : 41843 79x100 HH843, Frame : R88927

Frame - R = model year 1960, 88927 is in the range for 1960 as well.
If it is a roadgoing frame then it would be off a twin, slimline singles only started in 1961. Telltale for that is the top tube in front of the tappet adjuster cover in singles was crushed in by the factory to give clearance to remove that cover, for twins the tube remained round.
Engine - 41843 would be a late 1951 model. 79 x 100 = standard bore x stroke for a 500, ES2. From memory around 25hp if all is set up well. Allegedly capable of 80mph in standard trim - my wideline ES2 will sit happily on 60mph all day with some in reserve for overtaking.

Rohan · Feb 24, 2017

ntst8 said:
Engine - 41843 would be a late 1951 model. 79 x 100 = standard bore x stroke for a 500, ES2. From memory around 25hp if all is set up well. Allegedly capable of 80mph in standard trim

A 1951 ES2 would have had an iron head, and fairly low compression.
And would be surprised if it gave as much as 25 hp - thats a later motor number ?
Can't quite tell if your head is iron painted silver, or a later alloy head ?

Triton Thrasher · Feb 25, 2017

serbatac said:

That's the air slide ("choke") fully on for cold starting, in case there's any doubt.

Bernhard · Feb 25, 2017

As it has what looks like a non-standard Amal TT or GP carb who knows what else inside the motor has been tuned :?:
You can either put the bike on a rolling road dyno or give us the top speed and weight of the bike and the rider –there is an App on the internet that will show the BHP from the above information.

Rohan · Feb 25, 2017

Bernhard said:
As it has what looks like a non-standard Amal TT or GP carb

That is actually the standard roadgoing Amal sidefloat carb for the early 1950s,
so my comments about iron engines still apply.
It does have a fancy new alloy bellmouth...
(hard to know if that would help or hinder).

Yes you can work backwards from the top speed.
But revving the zinger out of old iron is not entirely recommended - if you want it to last ?
Maybe 75 or even 80 mph, would that be about 20 horses - give or take a few ?
I've never seen it quoted anyplace, certainly not officially.