Atlas identity

Hiyah Neil - Your Atlas would have been fitted with a twin coil ignition system from new. The coils located between the oil tank and battery box. A twin points cum auto advance and retard unit located in a small aluminium housing that mounted in place of the magneto. It was driven by a fixed sprocket mounted to a shaft supported in a rigid ball bearing drive shaft and afixed by a shear pin. The ignition switch mounted to a small flat plate mounted to the frame at the fore of the oil tank. Two small condensers ( one for each set of points ) mounted at the front of the tool tray. A large (blue) capacitor also mounted underneath the tooltray permitted running of sorts without a battery which was 12V. The points top cover was a plated tin round lid secured by a spring clip. Good luck - Howard

I would consider the K2F to be an improvement on the original coil and points setup - that's why my one is so fitted. How important is originality? Your decision.

A very common modification to be rid of a poor points assembly and adv /retard unit very prone to wear. A good mag does all you need .

I agree - A magneto is probably more reliable but with age they deteriorate quickly and to repair are very expensive. Also when you are thrashing the motor it's much harder to get both cylinders timed at the exact same point or even to have both points gaps identical. On the coil set in question its a doddle to time both cylinders the same and have identical points gaps. So the engines run much quicker and the weight saving is significant. When racing of course I don't have an advance/retard unit - it's welded to one position. Also with the twin coil set it's easy to fit a Lucas Rita or Boyer or some such to boost the spark voltage and get a good burn. So there are merits in both systems but the coil system is definitely needed for quick donks !! Probably an Atlas would not require the coil set as they generally won't rev up that high to notice the difference. Cheers and ride safe, Howard

Nice bike or do I just fancy the blue tank? When worrying about originality this bike is way off the mark, not that it matters a hoot, the mudguards, the front gaiters, the front brake, the Zener diode heat sink. I wonder if the Atlas had the humped seat as certainly that was fitted to the Mercury. I also note the larger pipes for the American market cos they look good(!) which dropped 3BHP (we are told).

By the way Gordon, these magneto things will never catch on, or perhaps they will will never catch up! Having a magneto allows one to ignore the battery and its charging until you realise that the lights don't work too well but you can still ride on-no stop light or lights! Like what you always did......

Al, magnetos are wonderful things - especially when rectifiers give up the ghost 200 miles from home. Anyway, the Norfolk lanes look enchanting at 02:00 as you pick your way carefully along by moonlight trying not to squash hedgehogs.

I notice what looks like a valve on the oil line coming out of the oil tank.

Don't forget to open it before you start the bike!!!

Hi, just acquired a nearly complete 1968 Atlas, lots of it looks original (and untouched) but it has a K2F magneto, which I believe is incorrect, but looking for some advice. I have read that coils took over from 1966. It has a twin leading shoe front brake and twin clocks on a common bracket, and twin concentrics. Frame and engine numbers matching 20-125665. Anything curious or just an end of production line bitsa? i Know the Commando came out the same month that this Atlas was registered as first used. Any help greatly appreciated. Neil Waterton

Neil, as a new member, your feelings are understandable. As you have just discovered, there are those too ready to jump in, with unwanted criticism (andirrelevant information), apparently to boost their own egos.

HELLO To the answer to criticism I am not an Angry lady and the informationgiven is fact and the information is relevant has you do have to know what year your machinewas built and the Factory record's only give's the date of despatch and NOT the date of build or manufacture! yoursannaj

Neil, as a new member, your feelings are understandable. As you have just discovered, there are those too ready to jump in, with unwanted criticism (andirrelevant information), apparently to boost their own egos.

Neil - just in case you are interested - if you are anywhere near the South East - there's a motorcycle day at Brooklands on 2 July. There should be plenty of Norton Twins in one place to look at - if yours is going, (and even if it's not) why not come and make yourself known to some Atlas owners?

This thread has gone slightly off subject. My o.p. was to try and introduce myself in a roundabout sort of way, justify why I joined (to myself also) , and ask a few relevant questions generally and get any members thoughts on my latest acquisition. With the ending of Atlas production around the time of my bike build, and the Mk1 Commando showing up about the same time, my assumptions might have been relevant. Doesn't really matter what day and time the frame was built or stamped, just matters when it all came together and was then purchased,registered and ridden. All this for interest only. Thanks for comments from all. Neil

Was not the fitting of a magneto an ooptional price extra on the Atlas?

Mike

Hi Niel,

Have you thought about asking Joshua Wexham from We sell Classic Bikes !!!

From the photograph it looks like it has passed through his hands he might be helpfull .

From engine and frame numbers 125102 to 125867 these were 650ss, and Atlas bikes so that would be about March 1968 for your Atlas for a dateof dispatch.

Previously neil_waterton wrote:

Hi, just acquired a nearly complete 1968 Atlas, lots of it looks original (and untouched) but it has a K2F magneto, which I believe is incorrect, but looking for some advice. I have read that coils took over from 1966. It has a twin leading shoe front brake and twin clocks on a common bracket, and twin concentrics. Frame and engine numbers matching 20-125665. Anything curious or just an end of production line bitsa? i Know the Commando came out the same month that this Atlas was registered as first used. Any help greatly appreciated. Neil Waterton

The 67 and onwards Atlas was fitted with the points unit (not a dissy) and concentric carbs . The points unit was pretty rubbish and the carbs about the same. Any change you make could be better.I would fit a single Monoblock and the magneto.

Off we go again, it was mentioned before but I didn't pursue it, one ignition system you could fit (never mind originality) is the Lucas RITA, although these are long stopped in manufacture I have the last of the parts. I have also got several Magneto replacement kits as NOS so if you (or anyone else) wants one please get in touch. They come with guarantee of course.

AOServices.co.uk

Hi. I noticed quite a few posts start "I have recently acquired ". So I shall start I have acquired recently a 66 Atlas. It has been very well restored, with a lot of attention to detail. All is well with it. The only thing I have decided to change is to eliminate the anti dumping valve.This decision has been brought about after reading and considering previous posts on this forum. I'm new to this forum and indeed the club. I enjoy reading the posts and was hoping someone might be able to shed light on the fact that I have absolutely no idea who completed the restoration and maybe what engine internals where used. Meaning pistons, balancing etc. I do know that it was exported to the USA when new[as most where]. It came to this country 2 or 3 years ago where it was restored to its present condition.I can supply a photo and the reg no ,if this is permissible. It is such a good example I feel someone must be aware of its provenance. Hope someone feels this is a worthy challenge.Regards Jim.

Well it looks like I'm sorted. Located the former owner who purchased it from someone who kept it in there front room for 15 years. He had to clean the nicotine stains off the bike.

Previously Alan Osborn wrote:

Nice bike or do I just fancy the blue tank? When worrying about originality this bike is way off the mark, not that it matters a hoot, the mudguards, the front gaiters, the front brake, the Zener diode heat sink. I wonder if the Atlas had the humped seat as certainly that was fitted to the Mercury. I also note the larger pipes for the American market cos they look good(!) which dropped 3BHP (we are told).

By the way Gordon, these magneto things will never catch on, or perhaps they will will never catch up! Having a magneto allows one to ignore the battery and its charging until you realise that the lights don't work too well but you can still ride on-no stop light or lights! Like what you always did......

hello well, your all toldwrong No 3BHP drop more like a 3BHP increase Now ask yourself why would Norton drop the power for the USA when all they want is power! yours anna j

Previously neil_waterton wrote:

Many thanks for the posts. I am moving house soon, so have to wait a few months to start looking at this as a rolling project. Have to build a new 20 x 12 workshop from scratch first!! HS2 has made us refugees with their god-awful new railway through the home counties. New base will be South Northants.(Away from the route) It has been an interesting early journey through this forum post, and as i get more familiar with the club and you members, I am sure I can give (a little) and receive much information relevant to Norton. I am also considering embarking on a fresh build from parts, with a totally blank sheet of paper. Replica f/bed new frame for starters.

I am no purist as you may find out. Just loved riding and building bikes since I was 10. (55 yrs ago) Thanks again. Neil

Hello, there is No need for HS2 with the new H-Bahn technology that has the rail car hanging from a mono box rail all that in the ground is the stantionshold everything up and its all computerised and works on maglev system. and this is cheaperto build but governmentslike spending our money , the photo below yours anna j

Anna, does your info apply to the commando and where do I find the thread on the website pse? kind regards

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