Find the numbers on a Featherbed?

They're on the flat piece of the frame on the rear loop on the kickstart side. Just above the rear wheel of the dolly in the photo. I had to scrape the paint off mine to find them.

Is it possible that the location of the frame numbers depends on the year/type/model of your bike.

The frame number on my Slimline1961 Model 50 is on the left side frame stiffener just above the rear brake pedal pivot.

Mike

My 1956 Wideline is also on the left-hand side, on the plate above the swinging arm pivot. The numbers run vertically.

Judging by Bruce's photograph, which is of the left-hand side, I think he meant that side too!

Previously ian_cordes wrote:

My 1956 Wideline is also on the left-hand side, on the plate above the swinging arm pivot. The numbers run vertically.

Judging by Bruce's photograph, which is of the left-hand side, I think he meant that side too!

Yes I did mean that, sorry for the confusion, it's not the kickstart side! I hope you found it Francis!

Hi I'm contemplating the purchase of a racing Norton model 99, but there is no number legible on the plate above the left swinging arm pivot. The engine number confirms its a 1958 model but I am a bit concerned by the lack of a frame number (see attachment). Are there any other markings on the frame that can identify it e.g on the headstock or elsewhere? The bike has no paperwork. Would appreciate any help on this matter.

Sadly, a good number of racing bikes were once someone else's pride and joy. Of late there has been more of a crackdown on stolen bikes appearing on the race circuit but obliterated frame and engine numbers are an indication that this bike may havea dodgy past. Acid etching could reveal the number - and someone might well be relieved to find that their long lost machine has been found.

Hmm, could open a whole can of worms! The engine, being 1958, may, or may not, be in its original frame. If not, when, and why was the frame changed? Back in 1957, a van pulled out of a side street in front of me, (fortunately I was only doing 30 mph). The resulting impact bent the front wheel, and the frame below the headstock. Norton supplied a new frame. When the bike returned, after repair, it had the original matching numbers. Either the frame was supplied with the original number, or it came unnumbered and was stamped by the repairer. If frames were supplied unnumbered, how many bikes were rebuilt without being stamped?

Sadly, a good number of racing bikes were once someone else's pride and joy. Of late there has been more of a crackdown on stolen bikes appearing on the race circuit but obliterated frame and engine numbers are an indication that this bike may havea dodgy past. Acid etching could reveal the number - and someone might well be relieved to find that their long lost machine has been found.

Gordon yes your right on the money here lots of bike stolen end up as parts

and sold on as parts only to leave the frame , number are gound back or holes drilled thorugh the numbers so you cannot see them right or make them out,

so buyer bewear

yours anna j

If you want to road register it, you won't be able to, and if you want to race it, you could find the Police feeling your collar, if you present it for scrutineering without a number. Basically, you can't do anything with it.

Walk away, and maybe report it yourself. If the seller has nothing to hide, he has nothing to fear.

Thank you allfor the comments.I think I will give this one a miss. Sounds like more trouble than it is worth.

Thank you allfor the comments.I think I will give this one a miss. Sounds like more trouble than it is worth.

very wise man . you save your self a lot of trouble , Yours anna J

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Previously daniel_polgar wrote:

Thank you allfor the comments.I think I will give this one a miss. Sounds like more trouble than it is worth.

very wise man . you save your self a lot of trouble , Yours anna J

Just one last thought on the matter. Does the NOC keep records of frame and engine Nos? If so would it be possible to check the status of the engine number & correspondingly the original frame number? If so what is the procedure?

Previously daniel_polgar wrote:

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Previously daniel_polgar wrote:

Thank you allfor the comments.I think I will give this one a miss. Sounds like more trouble than it is worth.

very wise man . you save your self a lot of trouble , Yours anna J

Just one last thought on the matter. Does the NOC keep records of frame and engine Nos? If so would it be possible to check the status of the engine number & correspondingly the original frame number? If so what is the procedure?

Daniel,

All posst war Nortons had matching engine and frame numbers.

regards

Just one last thought on the matter. Does the NOC keep records of frame and engine Nos? If so would it be possible to check the status of the engine number & correspondingly the original frame number? If so what is the procedure?

Daniel. Do you mean find out what the number should be, and stamp the frame accordingly? You could end up with a criminal record for that! There is nothing to say that was the original frame, which may now be road-registered, and in someone else's ownership. Try registering it and see what happens..... there will be a loud knocking on your door.........

Previously ian_cordes wrote:

Just one last thought on the matter. Does the NOC keep records of frame and engine Nos? If so would it be possible to check the status of the engine number & correspondingly the original frame number? If so what is the procedure?

Daniel. Do you mean find out what the number should be, and stamp the frame accordingly? You could end up with a criminal record for that! There is nothing to say that was the original frame, which may now be road-registered, and in someone else's ownership. Try registering it and see what happens..... there will be a loud knocking on your door.........

Ian, That wasn't my intention but point taken. Thanks for the comment.

Obviously the the original frame and engine numbers were the same. If the bike has a current registration, check the frame number. Providing the numbers still match, simply restamp the frame with its original number. No one will come knocking on your door, as this number will be on the DVLC computer already.

Previously John Shorter wrote:

Obviously the the original frame and engine numbers were the same. If the bike has a current registration, check the frame number. Providing the numbers still match, simply restamp the frame with its original number. No one will come knocking on your door, as this number will be on the DVLC computer already.

You have missed the point. As Daniel stated in his original post, there is no paperwork, so unfortunately, that course of action falls down at the first hurdle!

Look at the headstock and at the frame where the head steady attaches.On my Norton the number is repeated in small lettering ,hard to spot.

Er, missed the point, which one? The original post was by Francis, not Daniel. As usual, like a "Chinese Whisper", replies no longer relate to the original. The fact that a frame has no visible number does not necessarily mean the bike is stolen, or illegal. Buying ANY vehicle without paperwork is always a big risk.

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

Look at the headstock and at the frame where the head steady attaches.On my Norton the number is repeated in small lettering ,hard to spot.

Thanks for that Robert. That was in fact my original question.

Previously daniel_polgar wrote:

Hi I'm contemplating the purchase of a racing Norton model 99, but there is no number legible on the plate above the left swinging arm pivot. The engine number confirms its a 1958 model but I am a bit concerned by the lack of a frame number (see attachment). Are there any other markings on the frame that can identify it e.g on the headstock or elsewhere? The bike has no paperwork. Would appreciate any help on this matter.

Hi Daniel, my featherbed frame numbers took some finding in that location under layers of paint. i thought i had rubbed down to bare metal but still saw nothing so got some thinners on a rag and gave it a rub the numbers slowly appeared but they were very faint. but there never the less. Baz

Previously barry_carson wrote:

Previously daniel_polgar wrote:

Hi I'm contemplating the purchase of a racing Norton model 99, but there is no number legible on the plate above the left swinging arm pivot. The engine number confirms its a 1958 model but I am a bit concerned by the lack of a frame number (see attachment). Are there any other markings on the frame that can identify it e.g on the headstock or elsewhere? The bike has no paperwork. Would appreciate any help on this matter.

Hi Daniel, my featherbed frame numbers took some finding in that location under layers of paint. i thought i had rubbed down to bare metal but still saw nothing so got some thinners on a rag and gave it a rub the numbers slowly appeared but they were very faint. but there never the less. Baz

Thanks for the tip Barry

This may or may not be relevant to your case, but the frame number on my Slimline became invisible after I had the frame powder coated. You can just about make it out with a bright light at a certain angle if you know where to look.

Previously John Shorter wrote:

Er, missed the point, which one? The original post was by Francis, not Daniel. As usual, like a "Chinese Whisper", replies no longer relate to the original. The fact that a frame has no visible number does not necessarily mean the bike is stolen, or illegal. Buying ANY vehicle without paperwork is always a big risk.

John. If you wish to be pedantic, I did state 'Daniel's original post'. I was not referring to Francis' original post. There are two threads going on in here, which may cause slight confusion. However, your reference to 'restamp the frame with it's original number' clearly refers to Daniel's situation, not that of Francis, as it is Daniel's bike which has had, apparently, it's number removed, as witnessed by his photograph. I therefore stand by what I said. Unless he can find the number by the headstock; and I certainly cannot spot one there on mine; then it would be inadvisable to simply stamp the engine number onto the frame, expedient though it might seem.

It could bite you back, Daniel!

Previously John Shorter wrote:

Er, missed the point, which one? The original post was by Francis, not Daniel. As usual, like a "Chinese Whisper", replies no longer relate to the original. The fact that a frame has no visible number does not necessarily mean the bike is stolen, or illegal. Buying ANY vehicle without paperwork is always a big risk.

John. If you wish to be pedantic, I did state 'Daniel's original post'. I was not referring to Francis' original post. There are two threads going on in here, which may cause slight confusion. However, your reference to 'restamp the frame with it's original number' clearly refers to Daniel's situation, not that of Francis, as it is Daniel's bike which has had, apparently, it's number removed, as witnessed by his photograph. I therefore stand by what I said. Unless he can find the number by the headstock; and I certainly cannot spot one there on mine; then it would be inadvisable to simply stamp the engine number onto the frame, expedient though it might seem.

It could bite you back, Daniel!

,

so a lot of hurdels to jump overm yours anna j