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Nortono Model 18 1947 different number frame end engine

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Good morning,

I'm Cosimo Melani and I'm writing from Italy, I'm a fan of vintage motorcycles. After a lot of research and sacrifice I finally managed to buy a preserved  Norton model 18 motorcycle but I need your help and support. I have to register it in the Italian historical federation (FMI / ASI) but I need a declaration or useful documents that certify the originality of the bike. I have some doubts about some components, for example finale muffler, the gear lever, painting,Norton thank logo size, but the most important thing is that the frame is punched with B3 while the engine is D4. My motorbike has chassis number B3 10772 and engine number D4 23229. Speaking with a dear friend of mine who is an expert in English motorcycles, he told me that probably the bike was assembled with parts from other models, in those years it could happen, other bikes arrived in Italy with these differences. Thanks for your time and help, let me know if you need more information or photos. This information is necessary and fundamental for me, otherwise in Italy it is not possible to receive confirmation to proceed with road registration. 

PS: sorry for my english, I hope I was able to explain the problem.

Regards 

Cosimo

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The Club Records Officer will be able to help you with finding out the exact details, such as when and where your engine and frame were despatched, but they did not leave the factory together. 'B' indicates 1947 and '3' was the code for a Model 18.....'D' was used for 1949 and '4' shows that the engine was originally fitted to an ES2. 

The original engine was of the '1938' pattern with lever cam followers but the replacement will be the later type with circular followers.

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Richard mentioned the NOC records Officer in his post. If you look at the top of the home page you will see "records", click on that for information about how to get assistance. It is quite normal for a motorcycle to receive a replacement engine change during a long life, this was usually the cheapest way of keeping the bike of on the road. The replaced ES2 engine is very similar and a straight fit. I have a model 18 with an ES2 engine of a similar age.

There is a charge for a certification document which is reduced for members, you may wish to join, if so click on "membership". The fee is very reasonable at approx 25 Euro.

 


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