wideline? year? help please

NoiseyNorton · Mar 21, 2015

I have a wideline which I think is missing a few numbers. Any help would be great thanks. Maybe it's not a wideline. Just not sure.

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Reads 4944** right where that stamped circle is it cuts off the last digits

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This yoke is possible to I'd reads 030028

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Rohan · Mar 21, 2015

Thats a slimline frame (post 1960) note how the frame tubes narrow in where your knees are.

Dunno about the numbers, if someone has drilled a hole there to kill some of them it could be a problem.
Is there a title for it, or the original engine, it would have the same numbers.
Are the fork yokes 7" centres, or 7 & 3/8", that shows if its post 1964 or not.

Could it be for that alternator ES2 engine you have ?

NoiseyNorton · Mar 21, 2015

Yes I have a title, states 1957 Norton nothing else very vague, and in theory that's what the engine was for. My dad had acquired these back in the late 80s early 90s and was going to have a father son project. Pretty much have most parts for it. Was told it was an es2 but other then that I'm not sure.

triumph2 · Mar 22, 2015

Have a closer look at the fork crowns. I have several with the part number 030026 and they are the later 7 3/8" size

NoiseyNorton · Mar 22, 2015

I'm thinking they are parts found and peiced together. Not really sure, still trying to learn other Norton's aside from my commando. And I still couldn't tell you much about that hah

ashman · Mar 22, 2015

My 1957 Wideline frame number starts with number 14 and 4 other numbers after that and yes you have a Slimline frame, Slimline frames weren't around in 57.

Ashley

wilkey113 · Mar 22, 2015

It's a slimline featherbed, for an ES2. You can tell by the front motor mount.

NoiseyNorton · Mar 22, 2015

Would a frame number of 4 94481 or 4 94587 be a complete number? I can faintly see an 8 where the circle stamp is and it is either a 1 or a 7 for the last number.

ntst8 · Mar 22, 2015

4 would be the ES2 model reference.
In slimline that would be 1961 or 1962 which would be from frame number 94500 up - from Roy Bacons Norton Singles book.
Sounds like 94587 fits. Bingo!

johnm · Mar 23, 2015

wilkey113 said:
It's a slimline featherbed, for an ES2. You can tell by the front motor mount.

- and the flattened top frame tube on the right hand side also suggests single cylinder. I have not seen this on a twin frame.

ntst8 · Mar 23, 2015

johnm said:
and the flattened top frame tube on the right hand side also suggests single cylinder. I have not seen this on a twin frame.

Interesting how short the flattened area is on a slimline, on my wideline it is much longer - and you would think a slimline would have less clearance.
Must be a juggle getting the rocker cover off.

johnm · Mar 23, 2015

Also interesting to see here on the Andover Norton site that the wideline featherbed replica they sell has the Manx style swinging arm - where the wheel is mounted.

http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/SI%20Frames.htm

NoiseyNortons slimline has the much more common style swinging arm.

But I beleive the Manx style was used for at least one year in the mid 50s for the production street bikes. I have seen it in an advert for a Dominator.

Rohan · Mar 23, 2015

johnm said:
and the flattened top frame tube on the right hand side also suggests single cylinder. I have not seen this on a twin frame.

ntst8 said:
Interesting how short the flattened area is on a slimline, on my wideline it is much longer - and you would think a slimline would have less clearance.
Must be a juggle getting the rocker cover off.

There is some discussion somewhere that some 650 Nortons had the flattened area on their slimline frame.
One was in the blue paint of the manxman, and had all matching numbers too.

Rohan · Mar 23, 2015

johnm said:
Also interesting to see here on the Andover Norton site that the wideline featherbed replica they sell has the Manx style swinging arm - where the wheel is mounted.

But I beleive the Manx style was used for at least one year in the mid 50s for the production street bikes. I have seen it in an advert for a Dominator.

My 54 dommie boltup wideline has that open style of swingarm end, as it is in the parts book.
I'm not aware that earlier frames used anything different ?
Also has a hinged fuel cap, not the later style twist top.
Nortons never stayed the same for more than 2 or maybe 3 years, maximum...

johnm · Mar 24, 2015

" My 54 dommie boltup wideline has that open style of swingarm end, as it is in the parts book "

Thanks Rohan.

I had someone question that style of swinging arm on my pre 63 Dommie NZ rules Clubmans bike. I found a photo in a book to show it was OK but useful to hear it exists in real life as well !