Dear all,
I have just brought a Navigator engine from a charming chap called Ken in South Wales. When I picked it up I only had time for a cursory inspection but confirmed it was a late Navigator engine from the outer gearbox cover level plug, the position of the engine breather and the 7 cooling fins on the barrel and the engine number starting with 19. Like a fool I couldn't remember the engine number after which the gearbox and crank cases design changed although there was something familiar about it.
Imagine my surprise when I got it home and checked the Lightweight Compendium and confirmed it was the same number: 19/106838/P! I have attached a photo showing the number. I will definitely be keeping the engine and rebuilding it as a little bit of Norton Lightweight history - its a shame I am unlikely to find the frame.......unless by chance someone knows its whereabouts?
To conclude the story, sadly Ken brought the bike which was advertised as a Navigator Deluxe but quickly realised it was a 'Bitsa' with a late Standard Navigator engine in a Jubilee Deluxe frame with Jubilee forks. He is remarkably sanguine about it and is selling off the rest of the bike on ebay as spares to recoup his costs so keep an eye out!
Onwards and upwards!
Nick
Hi Nick, I bought a bike which was a late Jub frame with an early Nav engine, not quite a perfect fit but it still rode reasonably if a bit shakey! Thankfully the package included the original engine in bits so it has been refurbished, rebuilt and might run shortly. Good luck with your project, be patient.
John