A question for all with excellent memories of the early 60s. Was the background to the raised letters on the Lightweight Norton tank badges painted and if so was it in the same colour as the tank? Mine showed signs that it was when I brought it seven years ago and it obviously had never been cosmetically restored.
Attached is a photo of my Navigator parked at the top of Ham Hill as I enjoy the spectacular view of the sky and beautiful South Somerset countryside. Taking the opportunity to do the last 100 miles before the post rebuild 500 mile service before the weather turns!
Lovely...
... photo! As my tank is silver it would be unnoticeable if the background was painted the tank colour but I have idly speculated that a black background would look nice. On the end of a very long list of - mostly non-Norton - tasks in my virtual in-box.....
Thanks for the replies…
Thanks for the replies Robert and Ian, there is obviously circumstantial evidence which hints that the Lightweights did have the badges painted. However, knowing how Norton management were struggling financially in the 60s and didn't invest in them I wonder if they didn't bother. It would be nice to know for sure!
I am intending to do exactly…
I am intending to do exactly that Ian and have brought a small 'touch up' paint pen of matching paint for a couple of pounds hoping it will do the job. I'm just intrigued to know whether Norton bothered to back in the day!
The best way to check…
The best way to check authenticity is to look at period road tests , Bikes often borrowed from dealers stock.. And ask members who have owned the models from then till now. I had a two tone Norton in the early 1960's and have kept one for the last 36 years, only repainting when absolutely necessary through rust taking hold. Factory photos are less reliable as pictures of pre production bikes got sent to the advertising dept sometimes. I am looking at one that shows paint missing from footrests , side panels missing tickler slot and tank badges that never reached the sales floor !.
Wise words Robert, sadly I…
Wise words Robert, sadly I haven't been able to find any contemporary road tests of any of the Norton Lightweights let alone one with coloured photos. My Norton sales brochure only has a coloured photo of the Electra which of course is silver so that doesn't help. The coloured illustrations of the standard Navigator in polychromatic blue and Jubilee in flamboyant burgundy aren't detailed enough to give an answer. I'm going to hand paint mine with metallic Lotus Pacific Blue to match the tanks and mud guards because I think it is aesthetically pleasing...... Nuff said!
I've just dug out...
... my copy of a compendium of Norton articles which includes road tests of Jubilee, Navigator and Electra from the Motor Cycle and Motor Cycling. The photos are poor quality and grainy but it seems clear that the Jubilee and Navigator badges have no paint but the Electra, which has a silver tank, seems to have a black background. To add even more confusion, there's also a riders' reports article on the Jubilee which is accompanied by two photos of different bikes which are unclear but definitely show the Norton badge with a dark background. Obviously real bikes (reg 620FXF and JPH431C) as are the others.
So as before, there's obviously no "correct" way.
Incidentally, that book - Norton from 1946 edited by Cyril Ayton, former editor of Motorcycle Sport, is a real goldmine. ISBN 1-870979-00-1 if you can find one. In fact there are a few listed: https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?ds=20&kn=1-870979-00-1&ref_=ds_ac_d_14&sts=t
Here is a picture before…
Here is a picture before 1961
Oliver Sacks with his first motorcycle a Red and Dove Grey Jubilee Deluxe.
Definitely tank badge not painted and rubber knee grips already lost !!
I dissagree ! , the badge…
I dissagree ! , the badge would be painted the same colour as the tank lower ,white (dove).
Sales Brochures
Looking through the most excellent collection of Norton sales brochures .....assembled by the Editor, I notice that from 1960 onwards the Tank badges had various finishes.
Most of the Models (but not all) have the raised lettering (ie. Norton) painted Black.
This continues for 1961 and 1962. However the new UK 650SS has the background filled in with Black whereas the Norton letters remain with a natural metal finish.
Apparently the export models of that era reflected this change with background colours of Red, Silver and Black depending on the Tank finish.
Thanks for all that feedback…
Thanks for all that feedback Ian, Graham, Robert and Philip, knowing Norton I suspect the finish on Lightweight tank badges changed on and off over the years! Thank you for your link to that book Graham, that looks a fascinating read - I have ordered a used copy for a fiver on Amazon and look forward to reading how the Lightweights were received back in the day! I'm going to experiment by touching on my Navigator with matching 'polychromatic blue' paint. If it turns out half respectable I will post a picture! N
Just a thought
Did Norton colour the tank badges to suit the model, one colour for, say a 500, another for a 600?
I can think of a couple of manufactures that did this, although smaller ranges of vehicles.
Hi John and Paul, thanks for…
Hi John and Paul, thanks for your input. I am getting impression that there is growing evidence that Norton did at least occasionally paint the background of the letters on the chrome tank badges to match one of the petrol tank colours. When I brought my unrestored 1964 Navigator certainly had the background painted in matching polychromatic blue so I intend to touch it up with the same colour now I have restored it. N
Painting of tank panels
Check out the supposedly NOS item on eBay Motors US. Item no 37663650226. Screenshot attached.
Also check out the photo of my original Atlas tank.
Reference the NOS tank panel…
Reference the NOS tank panel, the paintwork does look suspiciously new and would the factory have supplied it with blue smears on the raised lettering ?
Thanks Ian, further evidence…
Thanks Ian, further evidence Norton painted them to match - that's identical to my Navigator's badges!
!960's two tone Slimline Dommy tank badges were painted in the same colour as the tank bottoms .With the raised edge of lettering chrome.