Mystery cafe racer Commando

[mbrynnan]

Greetings, all,

I have a cafe racer with a Norton Commando engine 67-68. The frame numbers have completely mystified me. I have put in a request to VMCC for help, but thought someone here might be knowledgeable as well.

I have been told by mechanics that this is a Featherbed frame, but the numbers don't match anything from Bacon's lists I've found online for Nortons (or even for Triumphs, AJS, or BMW).  

The frame serial number is located on the left rear gusset plate (just below the seat, visible without removing anything). The number 88 is horizontal, followed by the numbers 121 39* in a vertical line beneath that. There is plenty of clean space above the "88", so I don't think I missed any numbers/letters.

I have attached a rubbing of the number as my eyes aren't what they used to be (it is definitely *not* an 18).

There is also a photo of the bike prior to restoration.

Any help identifying the braking system would be appreciated, too. The front wheel is a Borrani 2-19 Record and the rear wheel is an Akront 40. Some mechanics have suggested these are automobile (??) brakes.

Please help solve this mystery for me and the DMV.

Thanks so much for your help and expertise.

Mo

[L.A.B.]

The frame number appears to date it as a 1967 Featherbed frame model, in which case it is very likely to be a 650SS or 750 Atlas model frame as there would have been no other Featherbed models in production at that time.
The serial number would seem to place it in an Atlas production batch, in which case I would expect it to have a '20' code prefix?

Maybe it was a 500 built to special order for a customer as the 500 models had been discontinued?

I suggest you contact the UK Norton Owners Club records and dating section, as they may be able to give you more information.

[Blue]

have you got a better shot of the front brake? it looks suspiciously like a Yamaha XS1 twin leader, but i cant be certain from the photos you've posted.
alternatively it could be italian, although i tended to thing the grimecas etc at the time were double-sided single leaders rather than a single-sided TLS.

also i thought the frame No prefix for 500cc featherbeds was '122'? i could be wrong ... i'm not a norton buff but ive not heard of an '88' FB frame, so possibly the numbers are non-original?

just some ideas, anyway

[mbrynnan]

Thanks for the replies so far.

L.A.B., where would the leading number be in relation to the rubbing? Above? Would there be a lot of space there? I may have missed it since it has been painted.

Would there be any markings on the  brakes somewhere I haven't looked (like "Made in Japan/Italy")?

Another person on a US Cafe racer board said: "Front brake looks standard Norton with a twin leading shoe fitted." Any ideas?

Here is a link to closeups of brake pictures: http://www.tejedoras.net/norton/

Thanks!
Mo

[L.A.B.]

where would the leading number be in relation to the rubbing? Above? Would there be a lot of space there? I may have missed it since it has been painted.

The model code would normally be found where the '88' is stamped.

[mbrynnan]

You guys are pretty amazing! You were right on with it being a 67 Atlas. It's a 750, per the VMCC library that holds the Norton factory records:

Dear Morgan

Thank you for your email.  Your frame number makes it a Norton Atlas 750 sent to New York on 25 April 1967.  The 88 is somewhat confusing.  88 is the model code for the Dominator but it was not stamped on the metal.  The code that was stamped on the metal to indicate a model 88 is 122.  I have heard of Norton’s of this period stamped with SS or 18 or 650.  I suspect, assuming the stamping looks as though it hasn’t been tampered with, that is simply an exception that proves the rule!

We are aware that the number and prefix that was supposed to be used is not always what got stamped or recorded in the ledgers. This is particularly true when a system is being changed from one that has been used for years to a new one.

There is no charge for this. But if you would like the full factory record typed on headed paper the cost would be £12 or for a handwritten certificate it would be £18.

Or if you care to make a donation it would be welcome

Regards

Annice Collett

VMCC Librarian

I'll be sending them a donation!

http://www.vmcc.net/

Mo
1967 Cafe Racer Norton Atlas 750

[RichP]

Well done to the VMCC. It makes me proud to be a member !

One of these days I going to visit and indulge myself in those archives