Norton 16h wd restoration

It is regrettably a problem with WD16Hs that whilst there was little incentive during wartime to re-stamp numbers, it seems to have become common practice as part of the military rebuilds during the 1950s to do just this, so that rebuilt machines continued to reflect the inventory.

DVLA are aware that not only did the Ministry of Supply allow the re-stamping of service vehicle numbers, but they also subsequently permitted the sale of these altered vehicles to unsuspecting members of the public, with proceeds to Government coffers...

There can never be guarantees, but based on previous applications, providing that you're building a true reflection of a 1940s Norton, it should be possible to obtain an age-related number. There is the possible risk that DVLA may require to stamp a 17-digit VIN.

There are no surviving late-war factory records but the "shop" number system of an alpha and up to four numerics was commenced in wartime so it's quite likely that they started at A101 and that this occurred again in 1946 with the civilian engines. It's only a factory build identifier so no problem if the number came around again a few years later. Obviously, it's quite easy to differentiate 1936-pattern WD16H crankcases from the 1938 civilian type used again from 1946, not least as cylinder stud spacing altered. They're fairly different castings when compared closely

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Hi Ron,

   Richard Payne is the "go to guy" for WD information, but for registration help you need to speak to Chris Streather listed in the contacts in Roadholder. The engine number is not so important, as long as the engine is a similar type to the original, and engines were changed on a regular basis on many bikes back in the day as it was a cheap option for private owners. The DVLA will, rightly, regard the frame number as the vehicle identifier as the chassis is the basis of the machine, whereas the engine, gearbox etc are liable to wear/fail with high mileage. Speak to Chris about the frame number problem before getting too deep in the restoration.

Richard, I assumed from the way Ron worded his post that he had already started the process with the Club Records Officer and that quite probably the bike had already been examined.

https://www.wdnorton.nl

Also, I found Rob in the Netherlands a very interesting man on WD 16 h's.

He was able to tell me that my cutaway was between contracts.

Rob has all the numbers detail, except for the above..........

Just some additional info, that's all.