Skip to main content
English French German Italian Spanish

Frame number Slimline Featherbed

Hello, I'm new here. I have just bought what I believe to be a 1970 Slimline Featherbed frame. 

The only identifying mark I can find is on the gusset below the headstock (99546). Has anyone

seen anything like this before? I'm told it was a replacement frame for a Mercury, shipped to USA. 

I don't think I've got enough to fill in the records request form, so I thought I'd try here first.

Any information gratefully received.

Ron

 

Attachments
Permalink

If that number was correct, it would indicate a 1961 frame. However, the number is in the wrong place. It should be on the gusset of the rear frame loop, on the nearside, behind the primary chaincase. It should be preceded by a model code.

Permalink

Looks like a replica frame from the States. Looks Tig welded, not Sif Bronze brazed. The gussetting is not as heavy as my 1967 Atlas frame. USA replicas were stamped by county licensing offices. I nearly bought a Sealy Trident five years ago in Florida, but Mr Sealy said it was not his! Buyer beware these days on old stuff. If it fits, use it. If it doesn't, make it fit, paint it, flog it on eBay. Unfortunately, many people are doing it, and even the best of us get caught sometimes. I have a spare swinging arm for a Slimline frame, lots of other bits too!

Permalink

Only the Manx and very early Featherbed frames were Bronze brased. All of the Slimline frames were welded. The frame shown in Ron's photos clearly has the ID numbers stamped in the wrong position. Plus they do not look like those used by the Norton factory. The style being quite different from those generally used on Norton frames. The numerals are slightly larger, thinner and lacking the tail points generally seen.

Permalink

(IMO) Consider Paul;s comments as not having any validity. .

It has a welded fork stop so it is later style (65+), whether real norton or not.

Pix of other areas would help immensly. rear shock mounts, right side top frame rail (pump mount). Bead blasted LH rear lower frame gusset ( looking for frame number tampering)

Repop frames are NOT a big thing here in the USA....Why make them when still quite affordable here?

Only WIDE LINE frames for building hot rods are more sought after, not slimlines. what is yours?

 

Permalink

Thank you all! I'll take some more photo's and put them up this afternoon. The frame came through Kursaal Klassics in Southend on Sea. They had limited information on it, except that they had bought it back from the States. They could find no serial number in the correct place, just the one on the headstock. 

Thanks again for your time and knowledge. 

Hi Paul, I'm missing a swinging arm (and many bits besides) slowly building up the parts I need to complete the bike, but very much on a budget until the insurance company pay out on the last one... my email address is ronfmcelroy@gmail.com if you have pictures or prices for you spares? 

 

 


Norton Owners Club Website by White-Hot Design