transmission serial numbers

William,

A factory records check can help.

For example my 99SS  (despatched in June 1961) has gearbox number N23130 and my ES 2 (April 1961 despatch) is N21095.

Based on these,  an approximate date could be about August 1961.

Later gearboxes were stamped NA but my only records start at NA 1021 (Oct 1963).

Gearbox N24006 was originally  mated to a Blue 650  and shipped  from the factory 12 / 10 / 61. By coincidence,  my very first 650SS was 18 100164 and came from the same batch but had gearbox N24038.

NA prefixes appeared on gearboxes made from September 1962 onwards. But not all had the improved kickstart spring to begin with. This being fitted a year later.

Seems likely that was a Manxman,  and exported to the USA  .

The Norton Factory went into 650 overdrive from September 1961 onwards. For the UK market the choice included the Standard 650, DeLuxe 650, 650SS and the 650 Western with high bars. The last two models initially were painted all Blue but then Silver & Black became the dominant option. Though all Black & two tone were also listed in the brochures to increase the range choice.

The USA got the Manxman Mk 2 with small or large fuel tanks in all Blue, Blue & Black or Silver & Black. Europe also got the Manxman Mk 2 but strangely like the Mk 1 version they received it was just called the Manxman 650 and generally it was a just 650SS either all Blue or Blue & Black.

Attachments show 1961/62 UK 650 versions. For some reason, the factory stockpiled most of the 1962 UK production run and did not release the bikes until well into 1962 despite most owners having paid for them.  Why do I keep on thinking of the early 961 Norton sales???