Hi chaps I hope all is well
I recently acquired my first 16h project, after only working on matchless and the odd wm20 over the years, I've now got to educate myself on on the 16h. The bike I have is in bits, I do know a litte of what's what.
The frame number is W4551 which could be 1939?
Engine number W46281 which I think is 1941?
I'm yet to go through the parts and check fork and gearbox numbers
Ect
Congratulations on making the step up to a sporting Norton :grinning:
Frame No. W4551 was originally despatched under the 1939 contract C5109 and carried the WD serial number C4102108. I've seen so many re-stamped or replacement frames for 16Hs that I'm a little reluctant to give a definitive dating without seeing some close-up photos of the lugs etc. It certainly shouldn't have the extra field stand / pillion footrest lug on the left hand side.
I've looked into this contract quite closely and if my calculations are correct and if the machines were actually despatched in order then W4551 was the last machine received at RAOC Chilwell during 1939 - arriving on 29th December, but there is a margin for error here. It could just as easily be January 1940. Certainly it had an 'early' specification - Central speedo, 8" headlamp, no pillion or panniers and the small rear carrier.
Engine No. W46281 formed part of contract C10217 which seems to have commenced delivery in October 1941. This was a bit of an in-between contract. Still with 8" headlamp and horn clamped to frame tube but with panniers (and a Dunlopillo type pillion saddle)...Plain steel footrests rather than the early Norton type etc.
I can't find any trace of W4551 in the 'Key' Cards which might suggest that it had been sold off prior to 1948...Quite a number of Nortons were.
Parts to complete to 1939 specification are quite hard to find. Aiming for a 'rebuilt' spec might be more realistic depending upon what you have...The system of rebuild serial numbers only seems to have appeared in 1944 or so, which means that you could continue to use the original serial if you prefer.
Russell Motors remains the first port of call for spares but there is no single Norton single specialist.
Hi rik, many thanks for your wealth of knowledge. I've got some pictures but I Havant got a clue how to load em on the forum via my
i phone. Can you get me your email and il send some over