Motorcycle query

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Rich Payne


The numbers that are of particular interest to me are seven digit numbers (I asume it went to seven after they reached C399999 ?) Norton contract C.5109 (W1000 - W6999) used C3932709 to C3934708 and then jumped to C4101401, finishing at C4105400. If I could establish whether the "C39" sequence ran up to the end of 1939 then it would give me a better idea of when my machine went into service (although not, perhaps the production date).

Hi Rich,

Six digit census numbers continued up to 992227. The seven digit numbers started with an Ariel W/NG contract at C1034001 (approx 1941).

I take it you have seen Orchard and Madden's book? According to this book, the Contract Date for batch you refer to was 16th March 1939. Production may not have started until sometime after this date, due to previous contracts still in production.

The theory about the first two digits indicating year of entering service may have been true, prior to the war, but with the massive increase in vehicle procurement, that then went out the window. The last few contracts with six figure census numbers, were for Triumph, Matchless and Royal Enfields and started 88.... through to 99....