Prewar petrol tank livery

I had a look through a copy of 'The Book of the Norton' by W.C. Haycraft which covers my 1938 model. In it is a chapter describing the various models as they were brought out. Under the petrol tank section it says, "Finish is in a lacquered chromium with handsome enamelled side panels". This was for all models bar 30 & 40. If you could get access to the same book but an earlier edition, which are available, it may give you the same kind of info. But on the other hand I have heard through the grapevine that tank finishes did vary from time to time and not all were chromed. I would love to get my hands on an original sales brochure and see what it has to say.

Nice pictures Glenn, I haven't seen a Norton tank with the red stripe on the outside of the blue, is this correct?

Hi Dave,

I presume you mean black and not blue. When I got the bike it was already painted like this and I thought the fella that done it had stuffed up putting the red line on the outside of the black. The rest of the bike was put together that badly that I have only just got it on the road after a year and a half so as you can understand I was suspicious about the tank too ! I started doing a bit of research, luckily before changing it, and found a little bit of info on tank painting here. http://www.norton.uk.com/expert.htm I then found a thread in a forum somewhere but for the life of me can not find it for you now. Anyway, from memory, someone who was contributing to the thread actually knew someone who had worked in the paint department at Norton in the 30's. Apparently striping depended on how the bloke doing it felt on the day. "Hmmm, I think today is feeling like a red on the outside day". So then I started looking at as many 30's photos as I could find and sure enough there is no right or wrong way. So what do you feel like today ?

I should add that although the tank and panel are painted the striping and name on side of tank are actually stickers which I guess is a much cheaper way to go than having striping done. I've painted a numberplate for the front guard the same colour as tank and have tried 3 times now to pinstripe it myself using paint with red outside black. I'm still not happy with it. I must say when it comes to mechanical stuff I have a lot of patience but have none when it comes to painting. Needless to say the plate is going to a sign writers now and will just have sticker striping like the tank with year and model inside that.

The 1936 brochure states that the tank-top panel was dull chromed and lacquered. I can't see any lining but Norton catalogue illustrations of this period tend to be heavily retouched, and / or the previous year's model.

[IMG]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg164/commando16h/NOC/1936-04.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg164/commando16h/NOC/1936-05-1.jpg[/IMG]

1938's brochure has an even less detailed image and by 1939, the panel was no longer mentioned.

[IMG]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg164/commando16h/NOC/1938p5.jpg[/IMG]

I've tried to load three scans at once onto this post...If the site Gremlins do fo them then I'll try separate posts.

David, I have scans of the 1936, '38 and '39 brochures. I have a feeling that I pinched the '36 from somewhere on the web but I have originals of the later ones. If you'd like a copy, you can mail me via the board.

Rich.

Brilliant pictures Rik, I would also love to see the rest of the brochures if you're sending them out please

Hi David, your tank can still bere-chromedand the dent removed. I have had this place recommended to me because my ES2 tank should be chromed and a friend has used this place a few times with great results. It might be worth giving them a call.

David Taylor Metal Finishing Co

Unit 10

Knightcott Ind Estate

Banwell

North Somerset

BS29 6JN

01934 820454

I've used Collin's Chemical Blacking for dull chrome plate and they achieved the best result that anyone has for me to date. Nothing major in my case, a rear brake pedal and a few small bits and pieces - on the pre and early-war WD bikes, all the normal bright chrome parts were dull plated. The finish that they can achieve is not quite as 'blue' as the original but it's very close.

Others I've spoken with have had some good and some not so good dull work from them. I suspect that using modern materials, it's a bit hit and miss whether it comes out looking like the finish from eighty-odd years ago.

Don't use anyone who talks about satin chrome - it's simply a brushed effect and nothing like the dull finish that we need.