Trying to ID a Norton

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Jun 24, 2022
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Hello Everyone.
Apologies if I'm posting incorrectly.
New user trying to ID a Norton if possible
Engine Number A2 2055 Frame Number G/4 43906
I thought the engine was a 16H, but it looks like an ES2 (2 pushrod tubes)
Any ideas? Any help would be really appreciated.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance
 
Last edited:
No replies, so here goes...
Prefix A is apparently 1946 and 2 means 16H.
No. 1001 to 2131 was 1945 so yours appears to fit there.
Not sure about frame number though. G is apparently 1952 and 4 means ES2. 1952 started at 42700 to 48899 so appears to include your frame number - so it appears you may have a "bitsa"
Cheers
 
Hi Robs
Thanks for the reply.
Any thoughts on the fact that the engine doesn't look like a 16H as it has the two push rod tubes like the ES2 engine?
From pictures I see of the 16H engine, this one looks nothing like that.
 
Hi Robs
Thanks for the reply.
Any thoughts on the fact that the engine doesn't look like a 16H as it has the two push rod tubes like the ES2 engine?
From pictures I see of the 16H engine, this one looks nothing like that.
Could you post some photos of your engine?
 
This is the engine with the A2 2055 79 X 100 Engine number. Sorry, its the only one.
Thanks for helping

Trying to ID a Norton
 
Definitely an ES2 engine, probably a bits which is not unusual for an old bike.

Welcome.
 
Hi, I thought it looked like the ES2. Does that mean the engine was made up out of different parts? Is that possible?
Thanks,
 
Hi, I thought it looked like the ES2. Does that mean the engine was made up out of different parts? Is that possible?
Thanks,
I don't know if it's possible, I've never messed with Nortons that weren't Atlas or Commando.
 
I would think more likely to have had an engine transplant.
 
Thanks, I wont. I'm just still confused as to how an ES2 engine can have a 16H number
 
I don't think so. There's no marks where it looks as though another number was removed. I'm no expert but it looks OK
 
When I first got mine I contacted the Norton's Owners Club in UK. If you join they will explain the serial numbers ( they are not fast ). What I seem to remember was the fact serial numbers had exceptions, especially with war time left over parts. My early parts book list the crank cases for driving side as fitting 16H, 18 and ES2. Also timing side is the same , E2/704 So at the factory or a later date a stamped case for 16H was used! IMHO Not an expert.
 
I have no idea if it’s possible, but perhaps 16H cases were used to build the motor? Personally however I’d say it more likely that the engine number has been re stamped at some point in history.

Lots of possibilities. Remember these bikes were almost worthless for many years and were simply seen as cheap means of transport and chopped and butchered without remorse, just to be able to get to work on Monday !
 
Thanks so much for the info guys, valuable stuff. I think the owners club should be my next stop
 
A previous owner may have used 16H SV cases, changed the cam followers and built up an ES2 engine. The crank assembly is likely from an ES2 as the conrod lengths are different. All acceptable ingenuity of the period. :)
 
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