650SS originality

been reading the thread as to wether norton 650 ss has black or chrome ,dunstall did indeed supply their1964 bikes with chrome chain case

as i own an original dunstall norton 650ss 1964

dunstall did indeed supply their1964 bikes with chrome chain case

....and quite often a chromed chain guard. In the 60s and early 70s, chromed battery box (es) lids and oil tanks were the speciality of other partssuppliersand service agents. The likes of Ian Kennedy and Dave Degens probably supplied such items as the equivalent of 'go faster' stripes.

Mudguards, chain guards and Primary outers were options in the uk to start with.

Not wishing to drag out a topic, but ...

I've just bought a 1965 650SS, engine and frame number 18-112360, and it has a black primary chaincase with chrome mudguards, oil tank and tool box! Back in 1971, I had a 1964 99, and it had chrome primary chaincase and black oil tank and toolbox cover.

It's a funny old world!

Kevin

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There are differences between domestic and export 650SS bikes.

My 650SS has chromed chaincases and black oil tank / battery box.

It has a light green tank as registered in Sweden on the 24th Oct. 67. It was built on the 8th Sept. -67. That makes it highly unlikely that it was repainted. My conclusion is that there is discrepancies not very well known.

Since this thread was started....nearly 4 years ago now ...... quite a number of facts have now been added to our knowledge of the 650 models. The most significant being that the factory sales brochures and parts books did not always reflect the actual model being sold in the showrooms. Either for UK or export models. So paint finishes, chromed chunks and actual model specifications often varied from dealer to dealer. Plus model names could change depending upon which part of the world they were being sold in. A few examples as follows.

The 650SS was sold under the title of Manxman Mk 2 to both the USA and in some parts of Europe. See attachment.

The 1961/62 650 model parts book has an earlier pre- 1960s cutaway engine drawing. It looks like an early model 88 top half stuck on a later alternator bottom. I wonder how many overseas owners realize this when trying to purchase replacement 650 parts.

Has anyone ever seen a 650 DeLuxe in the flesh? According to the records over 150 were built.

Police and military 650 models were built throughout the 60s and some after the official end of production. Most had painted mudguards, double size battery boxes and other special parts not generally found on standard bikes.

From cradle to grave 5 different cylinder heads were used on the 650 engine.

Export 650 bikes generally had a chromed primary outer and chromed chain guard. In the UK these were options. However, many UK dealers found it a good selling point and would often include either or both as a freebee if it helped close a deal. Chromed battery boxes, lids or oil tanks were only sold by the go faster goodies dealers such as Dunstall, Degens, Kennedy etc......or you could get it done yourself.

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650-manxman-mark-2-jpg

I think many 650 DL's went abroad, any bought here would most likely be converted to an SS PDQ, I have never seen one in the flesh or advertised and I have had an interest in the DL's since the late 1960's. Probably more rare than a Unified twin!.

Previously Phil Hannam wrote:

Has anyone ever seen a 650 DeLuxe in the flesh? According to the records over 150 were built.

Does this have the rear enclosure?

The 650 DL was pretty much a 99Dl with the 650 motor ,the DD head and a single carb ,don't know if they had to alter the bathtub side panels to accomodate the DD situation, it would be a tight fit. I don't know anyone who has seen one in the flesh . Its a dodo.

Previously Gordon Johnston wrote:

Interesting... The very last featherbeds, the 650 Mercurys, had SLS brakes. Again, just going by dodgy memory, I can't remember seeing a Norton TLS brake before 1969. But of course I could be wrong. Gordon.

I don't recall seeing that brake before the Commando either.

Someone on another list recently claimed that Atlases were available with TLS as an option. I'm sure he is wrong but he abuses people who correct him so I didn't bother.