One of "Those" ebay ads

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-8 ... 500wt_1182

The serial number begins 23553_. shouldn't it start with a "3"; it has a drum rear brake; no starter with left shifter etc, chaincase, timing cover etc. etc. The seller added someone's info to the bottom of the ad stating it is a 74 sold and titled in 75 but I would have changed a lot of the description too and the title. I can see why he has a recent negative feedback for mis-representation.

I am compelled to use the "Report this item" link at the bottom of the ad as to me this is not a typical 75 Norton. Any opinions or comments?

IF it has a drum on the rear and a disc in front and it hasn't been changed around, it's a 74, but it should have a right shift. Left shifters are '75s, but had discs on both wheels. Either the seller doesn't know what he's got or he's b.s.ing

The engine number is odd. It looks like an original stamping but doesn't fit the normal sequences. The usual sources tell us that the last 750 was around 230000 and the first 850 was 300001. Those are 850 pre-mark 111 crankcases from the look of them though. If it was a 335 series number then it would be Mk 111 and it isn't.

Everything about the bike looks like 850 Mk2 and some were delivered in the RWB trim. It's missing the air box but apart from that looks pretty standard.

I'm inclined to suspect a factory oddity. It wouldn't be the first one !

Thanks for the input, I guess I always expect a 75 to be a mark III. I also thought the green globe instruments were 73 and earlier.

RennieK said:

Thanks for the input, I guess I always expect a 75 to be a mark III. I also thought the green globe instruments were 73 and earlier.

Click to expand...

If it was a '75 then it would be a Mk111 but even the early ones of those were 1974 build.

The wiggly line clocks only came in for the Mk111 following the NVT merger (but I wouldn't be surprised if the odd one slipped through !)

He's updated the ad to specify it's a 74.

Is it just me, or does that serial number look like it begins with "235"????

Edit, sorry, just noticed that last little snippet of wisdom is not news....

Mine is a 1974 titled and registered as a 1975 but the engine number is the 31xxxx series.
I "special ordered" it from the factory when I worked at Norton dealer.
I didn't want one of those woosey electric start models ... the foolishness of youth.

Anybody call the guy. His number is listed. I'm checking with the factory records..curious number and I can think of one explanation.

Mine is one of the very first 850s, and it begins with "300xxx." So yeah, something's amiss. Did cases get replaced with earlier 750 cases, perhaps?

KickStarter said:

Mine is a 1974 titled and registered as a 1975 but the engine number is the 31xxxx series.
I "special ordered" it from the factory when I worked at Norton dealer.
I didn't want one of those woosey electric start models ... the foolishness of youth.

Click to expand...

Yeah, who'd a thunk!

That was my thinking back then too but now I'm seeing the logic.

I think I jumped the gun a bit on this post as there were a combination of things that made me skeptical of the 1975 designation.

As someone pointed out he does have his phone number posted. He offers a money back if you aren't happy when you are picking the bike up.

I've been an ebay user for many years and like to see it honest with no surprises (except good ones) so I like to jump on something if it doesn't quite look right.

MK11a, does the gear box number match a 750 serial number, it looks like someone has added a number as they appear to be to far along, but that could just be factory variations. Notice how the mufflers poke out, should have black caps

Very peculiar engine number. The last 750 was supposedly 230935 and the first 850 30XXXX. Could this be a short stroke 750?

RennieK said:

The serial number begins 23553_.

Click to expand...

It's not the first time that an 850 with a 235xxx serial number has been reported here (235565).

I think we must accept that there are at least some 850 models with 235xxx serial numbers!

The quoted frame number of F103386 would seem to be very late 1973 production based on Dyno Dave's website list.

Splatt is quite right about the black cap silencer mountings. It would seem this is a Mk2A 850 and quite an early build at that. There is still the engine number mystery. I'm planning a VMCC visit again. I shall have a look to see if the 235xxx series appear anywhere.

I can understand that perhaps they decided to start 850 at the round figure of 235000 but why then jump to 300000 and if this was the correct scenario, the bikes concerned should have been a bit earlier than this one.

I've just realised as I type this that I've been a bit dopey as some years ago (mid 1990s I think) I visited and checked over a Red / white / blue US import that was for sale in England. The chap who was interested lived in Ireland and had made contact via the NOC. As I recall, the numbers had all been checked in the records and my job was more to look at condition and that the numbers complied with the documentation.

On a whim, I just decided to pull out one of the old analogue photo albums and there staring at me is a photograph of a very original Mk2A numbered 235638 and with a '1' between the circle stamps.



I am absolutely 100% convinced that this bike was genuine and untouched. None of which takes us any closer to an explanation. I also wonder what the significance is of the extra '1'. Unfortunately, I can find no photo of the VIN plate or gearbox number but I may have some extra prints somewhere.

Ron L said:

Very peculiar engine number. The last 750 was supposedly 230935 and the first 850 30XXXX. Could this be a short stroke 750?

Click to expand...

Hi Ron,

That's the explanation I could imagine. I recall short stroke 750 engine numbers were in the 235xxx range. I sent an inquiry to the NOC to check the number against the factory records.

Just checked my e-mail. The NOC librarian responded. No help. Did the VMCC give any response?
============================================================================================
235535 is not in the record and is in the especially difficult period for the records and the factory I would have thought the number would be a 1973 build. Which the vin plate should indicate, I should ask for that detail first..

Sorry we cannot help further.

Regards

NOC Records
=============================================================================================

Interesting bike. You can just barely make out the seat lock. Only my MK3 has that lock. The tail end of the bike looks like my 73 Roadster. It will be interesting if somebody can come up with records on that engine / frame number. I wonder what type of condition a bike that has been in storage for 25 years is really in?

Bobs850 said:

You can just barely make out the seat lock. Only my MK3 has that lock.

Click to expand...

I have to admit I can't see any MkIII type seat lock?

And the bike doesn't appear to have the MkIII seat hinge?

Look's like a 74 to me. However, I like the 55 Chevy Bel Aire & the 63 Split Window Corvette in the garage from those E-Bay pictures of the bike in question. Red must the owner's favorite color.