norton engine id with pics

The only mystery here is why someone put that plate on a 1974 850 Norton Commando engine.

The Norton engine numbers appear to have been removed - which is not at all good.

Gearbox is also Commando.

The number on the box doesnt mean anything to me and has too many # to be a Commando number. Maybe someone else can make sense of it.
 
Yep, looks to me like a very stock 1974 Commando motor. The badge being riveted on is weird, and likely nobody would ever know why it's there. Interesting, but strange.
 
deanamason said:
norton engine id with pics
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It would seem that the plate '2032 1882' is from a 1973 Husqvarna 250WR model.

http://www.huskyclub.com/model.htm
1973....250WR....2032 xxxx
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http://huskyrestoration.com/?p=1844
 
If the OP has any knowledge of vintage Husqvarna's ( I have two 1968 MF's and a 86 WR400) as said they would know they only ever made V twins, only the resent Nuda is a paraell twin.
The tag number I would suggest given it is covering the original engine number is either a new VIN number (somewhere) or is a rebirth of some other nature (good or bad)

I had been waiting days for a Norton engine and there it is, remove the tag and run the number underneath through the system to avoid possible disappointment or a knock on the door.
 
deanamason said:
dont the intake runners looked ported,
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Without measuring them and comparing internal shapes, those ports could easily be stock standard.

I took that identical type 850 head to an engine shop in the 1970s to have a spark plug thread helicoiled.
The engine guy took one look at those ports and let out a long low whistle.
I said those ports are stock standard, they come from the factory like that.

The cams and porting in a Commando are quite special, they were designed good to begin with.
And the 850 makes good torque beginning down low for good reason...
 
An undamaged RH10 head alone is worth good money.
I can't say for the USA but venders here would want $2000 + for what is in the photo's.

Should you remove the plate, it is hiding the original number for some reason.
Had the number pad underneath been damaged somehow only looking can tell, I suggest if someone Norton orientated comes to look at it for a possible sale and they see that riveted tag they are going to think one thing. :wink:
 
I will go out to the garage and measure the width of the numbers on my 850, that will give you an idea of where the rivet drillings are in relation to them.
That will give you some idea if the number underneath has been compromised.
 
If the gearbox is still the original one, it will have the same number as the engine stamped into the top mount of the gearbox,
so it can readily be seen when installed in the bike...
 
Rohan are you for real or channeling Phil Yates ?
If you went to see a Commando and it had a Husqvarna tag riveted over the engine number would you seriously look at the gearbox stamp and say all good :lol: :roll:

The pad is 85.3 mm wide (3.359")
From the front the first number is 26.75 mm in (1.053")
From the back of the pad 20.32 mm (0.8") to the last number.

A little vague but if a hole has been drilled through a number underneath that may be a problem and removing the tag may not be a good idea, if the engine is "re birthed" via that tag for some reason that is something else again.
 
That is a casting or batch number, there should be a number stamped on the top surface of the top mount above that cast in number.
Plenty of Norton"s have had engine or gearbox/transmission changes so non matching numbers to each other is not uncommon, that could even be different frame, engine and trans numbers but all be above board.
 
Time Warp said:
Rohan are you for real or channeling Phil Yates ?
If you went to see a Commando and it had a Husqvarna tag riveted over the engine number would you seriously look at the gearbox stamp and say all good :lol: :roll:
.
Click to expand...

Have another look, I didn't say anything whatsoever about that engine number ?

You can invent as many imaginary conversations as you like and then have imaginary arguments with yourself, or with Phil,
but please don't include me in them !!!

Sheeeeesh...
 
Rohan said:
Have another look, I didn't say anything whatsoever about that engine number ?
Click to expand...

Ok Phil :wink:

Rohan said:
If the gearbox is still the original one, it will have the same number as the engine stamped into the top mount of the gearbox
Click to expand...
 
Since the gearbox has no number stamped on top, it has no connection with this engine... (??).
 
You are clutching at straws now (I am not A Cotrel) that was posted afterwards and is not proven at this stage.
If the gearbox case has had the number ground off then it obviously has a tie in with the engine number if removing the Husqvarna tag reveals a ground off engine number then that is a rebirth for sure.

The Husqvarna tag may have been a legal way to get a non titled Commando back on the road some time in the past or to get around some other bureaucracy.
It might also be stolen, yes I said it.

I also believe in the USA a gearbox number is not proof of VIN (pre unit), a frame or engine number is.

I had been thinking of changing the cases on the fastback if a set of 1973 750 cases came available, I would have no problem fly cutting the pad and stamping my 20M3 number onto the clean pad.
That is debatable but not morally illegal because I own the original number and have both the psychical and documentation to prove it.
Would I rivet the tag off a Tecumseh lawn mower to the pad and roll up for a roadworthy inspection, I think not.
 
Since I merely pointed out that gearboxes also have a number,
thats corresponds with the engine number for original bikes,
no point in getting your knickers in a knot and working up a lather.

It is illegal to alter numbers in any way in some jurisdictions.
Even thinking about it - some places.
But the sale of unstamped cases is not....
 
Buyer beware.
If it is a "factory Norton Husqvarna ice racer" engine if there was such a thing there would be no alteration to the number pad (new cases) and no stamped number under that tag that is already stated as that off a Husqvarna WR (wide ratio) 250 two stoke.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1974-1975-Norto ... 8b&vxp=mtr
 
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