classic motorcycle forum

Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't realize that they were similar, but they do seem to look similar and both have the front tank mounts that attach near the headstock. There used to be a few UK made TR5 reproductions tanks advertised on ebay a while back but I can't seem to find any now.

The 1952 Inter would still have an upright gearbox. They switched over to the laydown gearbox on the Inter when they introduced the featherbed frame in 1953. All the other singles had the laydown gearbox from 1949 along with the Model 7 twin. I've checked the front tank mounts on my 1951 ES2 and they look like the one on the 1948 Inter frame. My 1947 Model 18 frame is the closest I've found to having those sort of front tank mounts. Of my many plunger framed Nortons (all postwar Inters, ES2s & Model 7s), the frame number has always been on the left side front tank mount lug and it is the same on the few 1930's Nortons I have, so it is very intriguing to have a number on the front engine mount lug.

It might be worth a try to contact John from http://www.vintagenorton.com/ as he has been very helpful with with my pre-war Nortons. He might be able to identify the frame if its pre-war and he might be able to give more insight into the engine as well.

Yes, It looks like it's a Norton Dolls head gearbox. They were used from about 1934 to 1945. The gear ratio on the gearbox 1, 1.1, 1.33, 2.33 matches that used on the Norton International's with kick start. But the gearboxes used on the Norton would have used the the top outer cover with the Norton logo, and your gearbox was probably supplied to another motorcycle manufacturer. It could be from a Brough Superior as they used Norton Dolls head gearboxes in the late 1930's.

Hi facundoxxx,

The bike looks fairly original and in pretty good condition. I've seen model 7's in worse condition, I have one basket case in worse shape and a running one with the wrong fenders. I'm not sure if the rear fender on your bike is original. It seems a bit short and the rear fender stay looks like they are from an ES2. The rear fender should have a ridge in the center. Fenders are very hard to find for these plunger model 7's, and when they come up they can sell quite a bit of money. A correct chainguard and speedo shouldn't be too hard to find. You should be able to get a reproduction set of mufflers from Armours in England.

You should join the Yahoo group for Norton Model 7 Owners at
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/nortonmodel7/
You can look though the messages and you should be able to find a lot of information about Model 7's.

Good luck with the bike.

First filming session is going to be on Wednesday over the tops between Harrogate and Otley. Only bikers available ride a new bmw and a new triumph but it will be good to practise on.   

The bikes my Grandpa rode were an AGS 1920 250c, a Matchless 1930 750cc and an Army Triumph 500cc. These are the ones he can remember there are more and his fastest bike was made from parts pilfered from the army parts department. We are going to go through his cigarette cards, postcards and photos to see if any of them refresh his memory.

He used to go from London to Leicester every other day. When he got to Leicester he disconnect his speedo and went to visit his wife in Huddersfield, making it back to London the same night.

Don't really want to add to all the confusion, but it could be possible that your grandfather is mistaken regarding the capacity of the Matchless. If the Matchless was from around 1930/1931 as you said, it could possibly have been a 400cc Matchless Silver Arrow SV V twin of which 37 examples were purchased and tested by the War Office for signal duties (British Motorcycle Forces 1925-45 by Orchard and Madden).
Hope this helps.

Hi codfish,
I don't think the number in the picture posted is the engine number. The engine number should be punched in on the left crank case right below the barrel. If its a single cylinder, the bore and stroke is usually also around the engine number. example, 79 x 100 for the 500cc singles.

Not sure what it is worth but FYI it is not an R66(which would be pre WW2). It is a post war R67 or R67/2 pre 1954 as doesn't seem to have full with brake hubs. This might help you get a better estimate for what its worth. Hope this helps.

Your Norton probably would have looked something like the 1927 Norton 16H in the following link to a blog about Nortons. There are many pictures of flat tank Nortons on the blog and you could contact the author for detailed pictures and technical information that you will need to return it to original spec.
http://rapidhare.blogspot.com/2009/11/1927-16h-norton.html
Hope this helps.