year of bike

Hello, I have a Norton that I thought was a 1975... Stupid question but, when I was cleaning it last night I found the serial number and tthe last 2 digits says 77. Could this be the real age of my bike? I bought it from the original owner and was told it was a 1975. Looking for any insight that may be out there. Thanks

A good picture would help a lot.
Doesn't the title say what year it is?

What is the full VIN number?

If it is a 1975, it will have the gearbox shifter on the left side, all prior years shifted on the right side.

1975 was the last year of actual production, so even though some bikes were sold later and titled as '76s and some were screwed together out of parts and titled as late as (I believe) 1978, in all likelihood, the 77 you saw in the VIN has nothing to do with the year of manufacture. If it shifts on the left, has (or had) electric start and a rear disc brake, it's probably a '75.

Danno said:

1975 was the last year of actual production, so even though some bikes were sold later and titled as '76s and some were screwed together out of parts and titled as late as (I believe) 1978, in all likelihood, the 77 you saw in the VIN has nothing to do with the year of manufacture. If it shifts on the left, has (or had) electric start and a rear disc brake, it's probably a '75.

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I looked up the title and it does say 1975. I purposely bought what I was thinking a '75. I bought it 11 years ago and I paid to have a guy do alot of work to get it road worthy. Unfortunately I have not ridden in 10yrs and was cleaning it to sell. Thanks for the information guys. I will try to down load a picture.

Having no luck uploading pictures

The production month/year date stamp can usually be found on the other (R/H as you sit on the bike) side of the '75 certification plate. It isn't part of the 6-digit serial number.

However, the serial number would give an approximate indication of its production date.

You should also find an additional number stamped on the frame headstock next to the certification plate on the R/H side?

[Edit: this is assuming the certification plate is still actually there?]

Hello vfalcon7,

My Mk3 is stamped '77 and the original papers confirm that it was sold in 1977 in England.
Its' serial number is 335519, engine and gearbox are the same.
There is no number stamped in the frame.

Hope this helps,

graeme