Is there always a model code?

Likewise...1963, no '122' code.  Possibly something to do with changes made at Plumstead?  You have a Plumstead letter 'P'.

hello Daniel and David - Below is engine number from my 88SS.  The /P indicates Plumstead but the usual 122 number persists.  Your number does have evidence of over stamping I'm bound to point out.  My number is a bit later than yours and is from 1963 apparently.  Good luck with it, Howard

I know Howard is suspicious of your number, but they are always a bit crooked. They clearly stamped each character by hand one at a time  and even had to stamp round a curved surface.  Maybe your fitter wasn't as precise as someone else's. My bike has 88SS/106XXX/P on the engine, but the frame only has the 106XXX.

I certainly would not worry about yours.

One reason to restamp is of course to disguise theft. Another might be because someone copied the wrong digits from the engine to the log book, or someone made a mistake in the Post Office many years ago when issuing a new log book to replace one that was full of tax receipt stamps. I see Bonham made the mistake of writing xxx455 instead of xxx525 which is clear on your engine and frame. If your V5C has the wrong number, you'll probably need to get a new one with probably a new number.

Yet another is if you replace an engine  and it was easier to restamp than go to the Post Office. Before the days of computers, life was a good deal more relaxed. Happy days!

hello, All bracebrige street Models had a model codes  But  after everything went to Plumstead things changed  and model codes were dropped  towards the end  but if you all stick the Old bracebride Bikes you not go wrong  these were built by craftsmen  nothing better, your Anna J  

Hello again Daniel - It looks to me as if the number 88 has perhaps been overstamped on top of the SS / - but I cannot see from the angle of your image if there is any evidence of 122 appearing before the number 88.  I expect someone unfamiliar with the numbering system has attempted to tidy things up where they may have been eroded and very faint.  The other area i have doubts about is immediately following the number 4.  The 2 seems to have moved and there are other mysterious parts of numbers.  Don't worry about it - just ride it and have fun.  Howard 

Daniel _ The frame maker (Reynolds for Featherbeds) always put the Month and Year on that lug.   I am used to seeing 3 numbers.  So for example 6 56 would indicate June 1956 (on a '56 88 of mine). Another is 4 62 i.e. April 1962 on a '62 650SS.  M 63 is probably meant to say March 1963 but I haven't seen letters used by Reynolds before.  Next time I have my Mercury tank off I shall check that as well.  Regards, Howard

I have a 50, 53, 57, 59, 61, and early 63. The engine type on the side of the engine is  just in front of the patent tag and is 12, 122, 14, 16, and 18.

The model bike is 88, 99, 650, 650ss, is on the rear of the engine above the breather. 50 and 53 have only a "TXXXX" number. (they are for  Model 7)

The customer manxman has 18 in front of the patent tag and 65 on the rear above breather and  18 on the frame.

Only when I get to my 63 atlas' with "P" does the 20 go on the front of the serial# (VIN for usa) with a /P at the end.

HTH