Frame Number

mkviiktt · Post by **mkviiktt** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:36 pm

Can anyone help me please? I have what I believe is a 1946 Model 18 rigid 500cc HW single, but I cannot find a frame number anywhere. It is not on the offside of the seat-lug nor on the steering head. Any ideas where to look? In what range of numbers should it be?
Regards,
Nev

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:59 pm

Hi Nev
According to Roy Bacon's restoration book the frame number will indeed be stamped into the r/h side of the seat lug as you suspected, or thereabouts. However he gives the frame numbers for '46 to '47 as in the range 500 to 12760 - obviously that's not much help if you can't find it
Any sign of it being ground off?
Hopefully someone else can assist you better.
(Another) Nev

alanengineer · Post by **alanengineer** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 4:03 pm

It might be behind a coat of thick paint. Rub a bit of chalk powder in the area.

mkviiktt · Post by **mkviiktt** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:04 am

Hi Nev and Alan,
Thanks for the encouragement, but it doesn't look like there has been any foul play. Do you know if the factory shipping records exist? If so, who has them or where are they?
Thanks,
Nev

Eamonn · Post by **Eamonn** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:15 am

The factory records are available (see www.ajs-matchless.com/dating.asp but in order to date a machine, we need the frame number !

mkviiktt · Post by **mkviiktt** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:29 pm

Thanks, Eamonn.
The engine number is 46/18 1182 and the gearbox number is G2 B46. Is it possible to work backwards?
Nev

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:36 pm

Who is to say that is the original engine.Just a thought

mkviiktt · Post by **mkviiktt** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:09 pm

Who knows? But if records show that the engine number and gearbox are correctly paired, it is likely that the frame number would tally.
Nev