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What happens if/when a 56 wideline road frame becomes unviable due to the fact it has basically passed its service life having to many cracks, kinks, repairs and corrosion? Does that mean that unfortunately the world has one less Norton in it?

I'm asking because the more I delve into mine, the more I'm starting to think that way. What are the options available? I am taking it to be cleaned back to bare metal this week to really get a closer look at it but just wanted to consider my options should I realise the worst.

Thanks. Al

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Buy a new frame from e.g. Andover Norton and get it stamped with your number, then scrap your old frame?

No cracks, no dings, no corrosion issues?

Just a thought.

George 

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Thanks George. Is it that easy though, is that permissible, who stamps it and can you still maintain the age related plate.

Has anyone experience of doing this?

Al

 

 

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That you ask Andover.  

There is an item about them supplying new 1957 pattern widelines in the current Classic Bike guide. 

Rebodying rusted out MGB's and E-type jags is not rare in the classic car world, so why not the same with a bike? As long as the old frame is properly scrapped so that another bike can't be built with it, it shouldn't be an issue. I would think that there is no need to even mention anything to the DVLA as there aren't any changes - the frame is like for like.

Regards, George. 

 

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Back in the 50's, due to car drivers pulling out of side streets, I had two new frames for my Dominator 88.   Both were supplied, without frame numbers, by Norton.  Both were stamped with the original number by the repair shop (one by Harold Daniels).  Providing the frame has not been obviously over  stamped, no questions will ever be asked.  If you buy a second hand frame (with paperwork) you could rebuild the bike into that frame BUT, as the frame number has priority, the bike would legally have to be re registered.  However, there must be hundreds of old bikes on the road, which are not strictly legal!

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New frames are available for modern bikes without a number. I know that the policy for some brands was only to supply a frame to a dealer if there was proof of destruction of the old frame. 

The dealer stamped the number. DVLA was not involved. 

 



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