Dear All
I have looked through the website to find the engine number list that I am sure I have seen but can't find it now!
So, If I am asking in the wrong place, I do apologise.
I have a Norton-engine special which has twin 376/40 carbs fitted on what seems to be an original 99SS twin carb manifold.
The engine number is pictured and is listed in the V5 as 91224. The bike was allegedly rebuilt and ready to ride but I found almost everything (with lots and lots of new parts from RGM etc) loose or badly fitted so I have stripped the gearbox - which has NA on the case but hasd the old 'hook' kickstart spring and earlier bush sizes in the outer cover. I am renewing most things in the gearbox. The engine will be next, for a full strip and rebuild although again, it is full of new parts.
The bike is registered as a 1964 but I understand that Dominator 99 models stopped in 1962... if anyone can point me in the right direction to a list that might tell me the actual year of the engine, or tell me the year, I would be very grateful. Thank you in advance. I am in Islington/ north London and if anyone wants to come round and jeer/congratulate me on my purchase the kettle is always on!
Simon Duval Smith
British motorcycle new…
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Thank you David, that is all…
Thank you David, that is all much clearer. Best, Simon
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Ref. Your initial statement.
If you type in "Norton serial number" into your browser several lists are shown.
your machine would have had matching engine and frame numbers. As it doesn't any more it may be worth checking your frame number against the list. It has a higher status than an engine number when it comes to machine identity.
http://classicenglishbikes.com/tech_file/norton.html
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99c would make it a coil…
99c would make it a coil ignition bike . most likely a 99 std or deluxe . Could have been supplied with twin carbs but not an SS . Probably started off with a single 1 1/16" monoblock .
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Special
Simon's 99 was part of a batch sold to Kings who were a big Norton dealer in the 1960s.
All of the 99 twins in this batch of Nortons were listed as 'Specials', painted all Black but with Chrome Chain cases. They may have had Black painted mudguards, Siamese exhausts and twin carbs. Thereby making it an early form of 99SS. The first official 99SS arrived in March 1962 and was 14 96496.
The original 91224 was sold by Kings of Great Yarmouth to its first owner and registered for road use 3 months after leaving Bracebridge.
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Thank you Philip, that is…
Thank you Philip, that is great information. According to the V5, the frame number is 104412; that seems to tally with 1962-1963.
The number can't be found on the frame, I have looked in the right places. As you can see from the pictures, it certainly is a Special! Apologies to Norton purists...
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Rear brake rod..
..looks dodgy to me, with those 2 90 degree bends. Surely a lot of lost motion in operation, as they try to straighten out?
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Yes, thanks, the rear brake…
Yes, thanks, the rear brake was on the bike when it came to me. The bends are not quite 90 degrees but still not ideal although not uncommon as an OEM system on Bultacos etc. I will probably engineer a disc rear using a cable from the forward controls I will make, going to a BMW 'undertank' master cylinder hidden behind the gearbox as I don't like a big ugly master cylinder on the pedal assembly. I've built a few choppers but I wanted this one as it is an Amen Savior 'plunger' rear frame and these are part of choppers history. And of course correctly set up girder forks are far superior to telescopic forks (see Britten, Vincent, Tony Foale etc) although perhaps not at this rake!
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1960 Model 99
I'm surprised no-one has acknowledged the full engine number as per your photo. It reads "91224 14 R"- which clearly makes it from a 1960 model 99.
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British motorcycle new registrations fell off a cliff at that time. 350,000 in 1959, and only 150.000 in 1962. So Norton dropped the year letter from their numbers, to disguise the fact that the bike you were buying had been stuck in the showroom for a few years. My 1963 Dommie wasn't registered until 1964. Your number is mid 1960.