Norton Newbie Says Hello and Asks a Dominator Question

I'm confused about the term 'badge'. The engine is stamped with its number and frame stamped with the same. No badge.

Hi and welcome! While it is a bit of challenge posting a pic would prob help!

Dan

Previously David Cooper wrote:

I'm confused about the term 'badge'. The engine is stamped with its number and frame stamped with the same. No badge.

60 motors have a badge on the timing cover.

...yes but not with a number.... Do they? I've seen bikes with a plate carrying the number riveted over the same location on the frame.

Alan is using a badge as a reference point only for directions to the stamping. He is finding his way round an unfamiliar motor. The 99/88 has badges on both sides of the motor ,the drive side one probably has patent numbers on it?. Got curious now, going to look!!.

Alan - The engine has probably been rebuilt some time ago as a 500. As the crankcases were the same is was commonplace if parts weren't readily available to swap parts about. Yours may have started life as a 600cc Model 99 but then have changed to a 500cc version. Count the number of fins on your cylinder barrel. Eight would give 500cc whilst nine gives 600 cc or greater. The engineer rebuilding the engine may have added the 88 stamping to remind future mechanics about the change. Good luck, Howard

The front number puts the engine as a late 1960s model. The digits 88 could be where it was rebuilt as a 500cc engine. Count all the fins, large and small, up the side of the barrel. 9 fins would suggest that it is still probably a 99 engine. If there are only 8 then this motor may have been converted down to 500cc.

Are there any other numbers stamped at the back by the breather outlet???

9 fins is definitely a 600 or bigger. The bore is the same for 600 and 650 .If you measure the stroke you will know the cc. Unless it's now a 750 (Atlas). That's not likely but you should be able to tell from the breather arrangement.

Previously Alan Smith wrote:

After some research and more cleaning, the plot thickens. The number above the breather shows where 99 has been erased, adding to evidence that this engine has been rebuilt as a 500 at some point in its life. The presence of a C in the number suggests ignition by coil. However this engine has a nine fin barrel and a magneto. Quite a chequered history is suggested and I shall have to see what crank is fitted now. At least it turns over without grinding noises, so not all bad.

It owes me nothing at the moment so I am not too concerned. What emerges on dismantling will decide its ultimate fate, although I really would like to have it running in my friend's memory as first intended.

Thanks to all for the responses.

Hello this number to me look more like a workshop number stamped in the wrong place, your motor is a september 1960 built model 99 , I have a 650ss from germany with a 1958 clubman motor model 99 twin carb engine just waiting in the wings for me to do later but it my end up with a Atlas motor in it yet has we have one to rebuild it need a balanced crank and a regrind the balance factor is way off,, ps the model 88 and model 99 crankshafts are a different stroke to each other the 88 is 72.mm stroke where as the 99 is 82mm stroke so your motor as never been a 500, in my book why would anyone in there right mind want to strip and 600 motor to make a 500 ask your self this one, yours anna j

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Hello this number to me look more like a workshop number stamped in the wrong place, your motor is a september 1960 built model 99 , I have a 650ss from germany with a 1958 clubman motor model 99 twin carb engine just waiting in the wings for me to do later but it my end up with a Atlas motor in it yet has we have one to rebuild it need a balanced crank and a regrind the balance factor is way off,, ps the model 88 and model 99 crankshafts are a different stroke to each other the 88 is 72.mm stroke where as the 99 is 82mm stroke so your motor as never been a 500, in my book why would anyone in there right mind want to strip and 600 motor to make a 500 ask your self this one, yours anna j

An intriguing question, Anna, and one I can't answer, but my own 650SS turned out to have a 500 crank in it when I stripped it down, so somebody else was of the same mind. I was surprised to find the conrods had bushed little ends but only realised it was the wrong crank after I'd had them re-bushed and actually measured the stroke. Managed to get the correct crank and it's always run as a 650 in my hands. It had 34,000 miles on it when I got it back in 1979 but had the wrong crank and the bore was +60 so I think it had had a hard life!

Previously Lance Crossley wrote:

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Hello this number to me look more like a workshop number stamped in the wrong place, your motor is a september 1960 built model 99 , I have a 650ss from germany with a 1958 clubman motor model 99 twin carb engine just waiting in the wings for me to do later but it my end up with a Atlas motor in it yet has we have one to rebuild it need a balanced crank and a regrind the balance factor is way off,, ps the model 88 and model 99 crankshafts are a different stroke to each other the 88 is 72.mm stroke where as the 99 is 82mm stroke so your motor as never been a 500, in my book why would anyone in there right mind want to strip and 600 motor to make a 500 ask your self this one, yours anna j

An intriguing question, Anna, and one I can't answer, but my own 650SS turned out to have a 500 crank in it when I stripped it down, so somebody else was of the same mind. I was surprised to find the conrods had bushed little ends but only realised it was the wrong crank after I'd had them re-bushed and actually measured the stroke. Managed to get the correct crank and it's always run as a 650 in my hands. It had 34,000 miles on it when I got it back in 1979 but had the wrong crank and the bore was +60 so I think it had had a hard life!

Hello yes someone has real hammed her into the ground the old 650 is a good motor if you get them set right and you find some right ammetersout there with there chisels and hammers and anything will do as long as it goes, Keep up the good work you get there in the end, yours Anna J