Dolls head gearbox brass plate??

Soldiering by numbers seems to be the answer to this question...."Clutch in, two three, raise pedal, two three, select fourth gear, two three...."

The brass plate appeared on the 'Doll's Head' outer cover late in 1940 along with the long bent steel (4147) gear position indicator.

Although the parts books don't list it until W45001, photographic evidence shows that the change was made much earlier than this (from something under W20000)

Prior to this WD-influenced change, there was simply a neutral indicator comprising the short plated (3623) cast brass indicator and a single line stamped on the cover.

This probably means that the only civilian 'Doll's Head' Nortons correctly fitted with the brass plate are those competition bikes made post-war (The road going range all had the streamlined end cover, I believe). That said, the sheer quantity of ex-WD stock has meant that many pre-war bikes are now seen with the brass plate.

Another couple of details on this topic.... up until 1937 the gear lever was shory and straight. The longer hooked down lever arrived in 1938. Both still had the short indicator. The head on the clamp screw was under the lever so it did not snap the short indicator. Later on when the long indicator arrived the screw head moved to the top of the lever. So there are at least three levers to get mixed up.My original short lever is now sadly in a box because it is so uncomfortable to use.