Smiths chronometric for a 1937 Norton International

[Moof]

Can anyone advise the correct (if there is a correct fitment) speedometer for a 1937 Norton International please? I presume it is a Smiths chronometric but maybe not? Also was it typical to fit a rev counter? If so what type?

Any help would be most helpful.

[R]

Interesting questions.

In 1937, Smiths 80 mph and 120 mph speedos were listed as optional extras, for all Nortons. Not shown fitted to bikes in the brochure either.
(A brakelight, and whichever model of horn you wanted were also listed as optional extras)(As was a big long list of other extras)
(A magdyno was an extra on an Inter).

In 1938, what appears to be speedos are shown (fitted) in the brochure pics - but are still listed as extras. Speedos shown look like artists impressions though, and look to be about 2".

No idea of Smiths speedo model - anyone ?
When did speedos become a required fitment ?
WD Nortons all? had 80 mph Smiths chronometrics, usually with brass bezel.

1930s Nortons don't appear to have had rev counters. The drive on the maggie drive chaincase or off the cambox is a dead giveaway, and racebikes don't seem to have them. Although one or 2 later 1930s race bikes maybe have a tacho in the pics ?

Opethiselps.

[RichP]

Nortons seem to have maintained a policy of considering the speedo to be an extra-cost option, even on UK market bikes after fitment became compulsory. This may well have been a way of reducing the 'Purchase Tax' liability which was payable on new machines but not on spare parts.

It's worth asking the Norton Owners Club or the VMCC to check the records for your bike as the extras should be listed. This will include such things as 'Full PFR' (pillion footrest) / Magdyno / Panel tank etc and also whether a KPH or MPH speedo was installed. It may indicate if this was a 120 mph instrument as I'd expect and if it had a trip meter.

The clock should certainly be of the 'Jaeger' drive type (with the pin attachment and the 'thick' cable). I would think that no self-respecting Inter purchaser would choose an 80 MPH unit so probably 120 MPH, illuminated, with trip. The 30MPH bar on speedos of this era was yellow-coloured.

A substantial proportion of the instruments that turn up are ex-WD (they were fitted from 1936-on) and these are 80 MPH, non illuminated, non trip so not really suitable.

[Moof]

Thank you both for your helpful and detailed information. I will contact the NOC and VMCC as suggested for specific information machine.  Interesting your point re 'purchase tax' and not payable on spares. Thank you

[jonwawa]

Hello, I have recent sold my1936 model CS1 which had instrument Panel in tank. The wiring and speedo; judging by their very UNDISTURBED state were original, as confirmed by Norton's specification records as the previous response mentioned.

This was indeed a 120MPH Cronometric (no illumination) driven from the front wheel.  It did not  have a yellow marker but a white one at  the 30MPH level but this may have bleached over the years.  It was a two owner job that I bought  back from Australia.  Every other component was the original serial number as listed and shipped by Norton in Sep 1935 to Tozers in  Brisbane (with the exception of the MagDyno which was from 1931).   Teh  speed  did  not  work and  when reguilt  by  Gaggs in Nottingham they confirmed its production period as 1935.   I would summise it was the original Speedo.

Hope this helps...