This item listing is for a pair of copper 'Crush' washers of the type that were fitted behind the distinctive Oil Tank Union as fitted to most Roadgoing Norton models - i.e OHV, Side Valve and CS1 (not Inter tanks) from the 1930's through to the 1950's.  See listing for more detail.

Price is per pair - so as well as the one fitted, you have another as a spare.

The 1948 Norton Spare Parts List describes this Copper Crush Washer as part A2/293 - and in the accompanyning pictures I have shown a picture of the 1948 Oil Tank with washer shown.  This particular type of oil tank had the main (brass casting) Oil Tank Union exiteing the oil tank at approximately 90 degrees (i.e. horizontal) - so that it could avoid fouling the 'Upright' type gearbox that was fitted all the way through the 1930's to approximately 1950 - so these washers should fit all pre-war and Post war upright gearbox oil tanks with this type of union casting.

However, when the 'Laydown' gearbox was introduced in approximately 1950-51, the oil tank union shape was changed, and exited the oil tank at approximately 45 degrees (as there was no longer an issue with clearance around the gearbox) - but the actual threaded area of that later union type was the same as the earlier design - and these crushable copper washers will also fit the various designs used through road models to the Late 1950's.

Although this type of washer were not used on 'Semi Wrapround' or 'Full Wrapround Racing' oil tanks on SOHC Inter/Manx models, I believe they were of the type fitted to most Featherbed Inter and Featherbed DOHC Manx fittings. Email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk if you require more fitting information for your own model.

I cannot be sure if these will fit all early 1930's tanks - particularly the type that had a dial tap fitted.  If you have one of these type unions - please email us first - even if your union has a smaller diameter than these - we may be able to obtain smaller sizes.  

These are good quaity Crushable Washer from one of our specialist UK washer manufacturers.  Price is per pair of washers 

Footnote:  These crushable washers commonly used to be called 'Copper/Abestos washers' - as the filling used to be abestos (in the days when fitted to Norton models in period).  However - Abestos has been outlawed for many years and this washer type is now filled with a soft mineral filling.

 

 

This is the 'Norton' motif in black as fitted to the side of early Flat Tank Norton models (notice it was before they put 'Norton Reqd Trademark' under it)nderneath). 

Similar in size to the later tank transfers - but with a more 'scrolled' look to the letters - this is a lovely period transfer and the correct transfer for earlier flat tank models.

I am not entirely sure what years this type of transfer was fitted - but I would estimate it would have been the standard from approximately 1912 to approximately 1927/28  (but I dont think anyone would blame you if you have a slightly later bike and just like the look of this transfer!).

Price is Each

If you look at the accompanying photos, you will see 3 archive photographs of original bikes that look to use this style of transfer - the first being a Norton BRS (belt drive) model of approximately 1914.  Second photo is of Bert Denly at Brooklands on an OHV flat tank model, approximately 1923-24 and final photograph of Alec Bennett on what I believe was the first year of the Walter Moore CS1, this being 1927.  Although difficult to be sure - this last photo still looks to be using the old style transfer, although I would imagined it changed to the later type (our Item 0114 transfer) very shortly after this time 

- I believe these were fitted mainly to very early Nortons (particularly flat-tank bikes) so are not strictly correct for SOHC Nortons, however, on occasion I have fitted them anyway, as they look so pretty and only the real purist would object! - Fitted

This transfer design is possibly one of the most rarely seen fitted - it being the type fitted to the door of the Norton sidecar of the 1920's. 

However, they may also have been fitted to the frame headstock - as they are similar in style to the Blue 16H engine design (our Item 0118) that was fitted to the Headstock on earlier models,  and would certainly look a nice focal point on a pre-war Solo bike. As you can see from the photograph of the transfer - the design shows a wing coloured mainly red, around an early engine, with the Norton logo underneath.  It would like pretty on the side of any period sidecar, but also - would be a nice addition on any steering head, mudguard or toolbox of a period bike (FYI although not strictly correct - I have affixed one of the 0118 Steering Head transfers to one of my late 1930's Gardengate machines - I think at Steering Head logo is a nice addition on any pre 60's restoration!).

Price is Each

This transfer is of the non-Waterslide type - which is why the photograph in this listing does not show the final finish of the transfer - as supplied, the front of the transfer is attached to a fine tracing type paper - once the rear of the transfer is wetted (which has glue on it), it must be placed exactly in place (i.e. it cannot be slid once affixed), then allowed to dry, before carefully peeling off the front tissue paper to reveal the final finished transfer.  This was how most original transfers used to be affixed.

the final photograph shows one of my own family pictures (see our www.RacingVincent.co.uk Blog page for more detail) -  this being one of my Great Uncles visiting my Great Grandmother/Grandfather on a 1920s Big 4 Norton outfit with Norton sidecar attached - and the same transfer can just be seen on the sidecar door!

Facsimile of UK Tax Disc for 1921:  This item consists of 3 tax tax discs for tax year 1921, 2 of those 3 can be personalised to your own motorcycle details.  This was the very first year of the UK Tax Disc, and this is an exact copy of that first year design

This tax disc is a faithful reproduction of the original UK tax disc for 1921- which was the very first year that the Tax Disc was introduced in the British Isles.

As you can see - it differs from other years in that it has no colour banding.  It was realised very quickly by the government, that this made it difficult for the local policeman to see 'at a glance' if the tax disc had expired or not - therefore, all subsequent years had a 'Year Specific'  colour bandiing - so the local Bobby could tell at a glance if the owner was displaying an out of date tax disc!  People used to joke that a tax disc would sometimes be replaced with an old 'Guiness' label by unscrupulous drivers - it was probably this year of tax disc that was the origin of that old folk lore!

As with all our tax discs, the wording, both front and back, are correct for the year - as is the format and wording we use.  Unlike later tax discs, our 'Rubber Stamp' wording (the circular stamp - made by the person issuing the tax disc on the day) shows 'P.O.' rather than a Borough Council - this indicating it was issued in a Post Office, and this verfied by examining an original 1921 Tax Disc.  You will also see that the rear wording on this tax disc was specific to this first year - and has also been faithfully reproduced, even if no one will see it once the tax disc is fitted!

As supplied, all 3 discs will be supplied as they would have originally been supplied by the local post office - i.e. as a rectangular shape, with the correct supporting information on the outside of the perforation - you just need to cut around the circumference of the printed disc and fit it in your tax disc holder (which we also offer from this item category). 

As a final detail - each tax disc has the correct additional tax information on the back of the tax disc for that year - which varied by year.

As always with facsimile items we offer - the tax discs are printed on high quality paper of a type similar to the original, and from a professional quality printer.

They will be supplied as shown in the photo - 3 tax discs (two pre-printed with your own motorcycle's details, the third left blank) in their own paper wallet. If ordered on their own they will be supplied in a 'Please Do Not Bend' envelope, else if they are ordered as part of a larger order they will be placed between suitable cardboard to avoid damage or creasing.  

Note: When placing order please include following motorcycle information, so we can enter it onto your tax discs:

• Make of Motorcycle: i.e. Norton, Royal Enfield etc.
• Registration of Motorcycle: i.e TFV602 shown in example photograph here
• Motorcycle cc: Note 1920's tax discs did not show CC!  instead they displayed a weight bracket - most common for a Bicycle was 'over 200' (meaning over 200 lbs in weight) - which is what will be shown, unless you ask for this customised

We normally look to be able to provide your facsimile tax discs within 7 days of placing the online order

Facsimile of UK Tax Disc for 1925:  This item consists of 3 tax tax discs for tax year 1925, 2 of those 3 can be personalised to your own motorcycle details.  

This tax disc is a faithful reproduction of the original UK tax disc for 1925 - and actually, although looking similar in format to other later years in the 1930's and 1940's - there were many smaller differences we have faithfully reproduced - e.g. the faint underlying watermark had different wording to later years, the council stamp was different and in the 1920's weight was shown rather than cubic capacity - all these are as per the original design. Also, for 1925 you will notice there are dotted lines seperating each of the boxes on the left - which did not follow through to the following years tax disc.

In addition, we also replicate the rear of the tax disc (although if you are placing the tax disc into a holder, and then onto your bike - only you will know that! . . . but after this year (i,e, 1926 onwards) - it was standard practice to provide legal requirements for displaying tax discs, quoting whatever the latest version of the Road Traffic Act was (i.e. see our 1926 Tax Disc to see how this was first carried out).  However, clearly the people at the Motor Tax Office had not got quite that officious yet in 1925 - and we have duplicated an advert we found on the back of a genuine 1925 tax disc - i.e. a Shell Advert . . . which we think is a nice bit of motoring trivia history!

As supplied, all 3 discs will be supplied as they would have originally been supplied by the local post office - i.e. as a rectangular shape, with the correct supporting information on the outside of the perforation - you just need to cut around the circumference of the printed disc and fit it in your tax disc holder (which we also offer from this item category). 

As a final detail - each tax disc has the correct additional tax information on the back of the tax disc for that year - which varied by year.

As always with facsimile items we offer - the tax discs are printed on high quality paper of a type similar to the original, and from a professional quality printer.

They will be supplied as shown in the photo - 3 tax discs (two pre-printed with your own motorcycle's details, the third left blank) in their own paper wallet. If ordered on their own they will be supplied in a 'Please Do Not Bend' envelope, else if they are ordered as part of a larger order they will be placed between suitable cardboard to avoid damage or creasing.  

Note: When placing order please include following motorcycle information, so we can enter it onto your tax discs:

• Make of Motorcycle: i.e. Norton, Royal Enfield etc.
• Registration of Motorcycle: i.e TFV602 shown in example photograph here
• Motorcycle cc: Note 1920's tax discs did not show CC!  instead they displayed a weight bracket - most common for a Bicycle was 'over 200' (meaning over 200 lbs in weight) - which is what will be shown, unless you ask for this customised
• County Council - if you know where your motorcycle was first registered: i.e. Essex (by Default it will say Norwich CBC if you do not state another (note: we have faithfully copied the format of a genuine 1920's tax disc for this version - and at that time the Council stamp showed 'C.B.C' instead of the later 'C.C' stamp (we doubt other reproduction discs will show this level of detail!).

We normally look to be able to provide your facsimile tax discs within 7 days of placing the online order

Facsimile of UK Tax Disc for 1926:  This item consists of 3 tax tax discs for tax year 1926, 2 of those 3 can be personalised to your own motorcycle details.  

This tax disc is a faithful reproduction of the original UK tax disc for 1926 - and actually, although looking similar in format to other later years in the 1930's and 1940's - there were many smaller differences we have faithfully reproduced - e.g. the faint underlying watermark had different wording to later years, the council stamp was different and in the 1920's weight was shown rather than cubic capacity - all these are as per the original design  

As a final point of interest - the rear of the tax disc faithfully replicates the wording and font, from an original 1926 tax disc - and this was the start of a tradition that continued for many years to come - to quote wording from a political set of rules (in later years the most recent Road Traffic Act) - but in this first instance of such wording - the 1924 Finance Act that had been put in place the year before (very few replica tax discs bother to show this level of authenticity - and we like to feel it adds another level of interest - even if only you will be able to read it, before you put the disc on your bike, where the rear of disc will not be seen!).

As supplied, all 3 discs will be supplied as they would have originally been supplied by the local post office - i.e. as a rectangular shape, with the correct supporting information on the outside of the perforation - you just need to cut around the circumference of the printed disc and fit it in your tax disc holder (which we also offer from this item category). 

As a final detail - each tax disc has the correct additional tax information on the back of the tax disc for that year - which varied by year.

As always with facsimile items we offer - the tax discs are printed on high quality paper of a type similar to the original, and from a professional quality printer.

They will be supplied as shown in the photo - 3 tax discs (two pre-printed with your own motorcycle's details, the third left blank) in their own paper wallet. If ordered on their own they will be supplied in a 'Please Do Not Bend' envelope, else if they are ordered as part of a larger order they will be placed between suitable cardboard to avoid damage or creasing.  

Note: When placing order please include following motorcycle information, so we can enter it onto your tax discs:

• Make of Motorcycle: i.e. Norton, Royal Enfield etc.
• Registration of Motorcycle: i.e TFV602 shown in example photograph here
• Motorcycle cc: Note 1920's tax discs did not show CC!  instead they displayed a weight bracket - most common for a Bicycle was 'over 200' (meaning over 200 lbs in weight) - which is what will be shown, unless you ask for this customised
• County Council - if you know where your motorcycle was first registered: i.e. Essex (by Default it will say Norwich CBC if you do not state another (note: we have faithfully copied the format of a genuine 1920's tax disc for this version - and at that time the Council stamp showed 'C.B.C' instead of the later 'C.C' stamp (we doubt other reproduction discs will show this level of detail!).

We normally look to be able to provide your facsimile tax discs within 7 days of placing the online order

Facsimile of UK Tax Disc for 1928:  This item consists of 3 tax tax discs for tax year 1928, 2 of those 3 can be personalised to your own motorcycle details.  

This tax disc is a faithful reproduction of the original UK tax disc for 1928 - and actually, although looking similar in format to other later years in the 1930's and 1940's - there were many smaller differences we have faithfully reproduced - e.g. the faint underlying watermark had different wording to later years, the council stamp was different and in the 1920's weight was shown rather than cubic capacity - all these are as per the original design. Also, for 1928 you will notice the second style of rear wording, but still refering to the 1924 Traffic Act.

re are dotted lines seperating each of the boxes on the left - which did not follow through to the following years tax disc.

As supplied, all 3 discs will be supplied as they would have originally been supplied by the local post office - i.e. as a rectangular shape, with the correct supporting information on the outside of the perforation - you just need to cut around the circumference of the printed disc and fit it in your tax disc holder (which we also offer from this item category). 

As a final detail - each tax disc has the correct additional tax information on the back of the tax disc for that year - which varied by year.

As always with facsimile items we offer - the tax discs are printed on high quality paper of a type similar to the original, and from a professional quality printer.

They will be supplied as shown in the photo - 3 tax discs (two pre-printed with your own motorcycle's details, the third left blank) in their own paper wallet. If ordered on their own they will be supplied in a 'Please Do Not Bend' envelope, else if they are ordered as part of a larger order they will be placed between suitable cardboard to avoid damage or creasing.  

Note: When placing order please include following motorcycle information, so we can enter it onto your tax discs:

• Make of Motorcycle: i.e. Norton, Royal Enfield etc.
• Registration of Motorcycle: i.e TFV602 shown in example photograph here
• Motorcycle cc: Note 1920's tax discs did not show CC!  instead they displayed a weight bracket - most common for a Bicycle was 'over 200' (meaning over 200 lbs in weight) - which is what will be shown, unless you ask for this customised
• County Council - if you know where your motorcycle was first registered: i.e. Essex (by Default it will say Norwich CBC if you do not state another (note: we have faithfully copied the format of a genuine 1920's tax disc for this version - and at that time the Council stamp showed 'C.B.C' instead of the later 'C.C' stamp (we doubt other reproduction discs will show this level of detail!).

We normally look to be able to provide your facsimile tax discs within 7 days of placing the online order

This is a high quality facsimile of the original Norton 1925 Spare Parts Catalog, but printed in A4 format - to give additional clarity. This has to be rarest of all Norton Spare Parts Lists - and covers all Flat Tank Side Valve models, as well as an additional section covering the very first OHV models - making this an interesting and excellent read, even if you are not lucky enough to own a Flat Tank model!

We print these pre-war catalogs in larger format as they did not use 'Exploded' diagrams - therefore A4 format makes the pictures much easier to see.  We spend a great deal of time preparing these facsimiles, removing any flaws or fingerprints that have appeared over the years of use, so each diagram of parts is clear and legible and like new.

This is an extremely rare catalog, and the very clean original example I am fortunate to own is the only one I have ever seen available.  I may be wrong - but to my knowledge this is the first Norton Spare Parts List produced, and in its 'forward' section it states it covers all models up to 1925.

As well as the Individual pages - which show clearly all chassis and engine parts in a lovely period font,  it also has a page at the end of the picture section which shows a factory picture of each model available in 1925, which in itself is useful to any restorer of a flat tank model.

It is printed on high quality 100gm branded Xerox paper/card on a commercial quality printer. The cover is card, of similar thickness to the original - with the colour also similar to the original year.  You may find other cheaper reproductions on Ebay, but I doubt they will be the same quality as ours and have the time spent cleaning them up from the originals as ours have - which is reflected in the price.

Finally, it should be noted that we also produce the corresponding 'Maintenance Instruction Manual' for models up to 1925 - Item 1151, which is of similar format and design to this spare parts catalog.  However, if both bought together (see Item 1152) - they can be bought together at a small discount.

Even if you do not own a Flat Tank Norton, I would highly recommend this catalog as it makes a really interesting read and gives great insight into those early 1920's models. 

 

 

This is a high quality facsimile of a very rare publication - the Maintenance Instructions for Touring and Speed Models from 1925, and it goes alongside our Spare Parts List from the same year - providing useful information for anyone owning or restoring a Flat Tank Norton. 

We print these pre-war catalogs in larger format making them easier to read  than the original A5 format - therefore A4 format makes this catalog ures much easier to see.  All else as per original - see detail information for more information. 

This facsimile has been faithfully coped from a genuine 1925 maintenance manual - and this (like the corresponding 1925 Norton Spare Parts List - Item 1150) is the only copy of this rare manual I have ever seen - a rare survivor from a bygone age.

This maintenance manual is 32 pages long.  I will admit, it does not have many pictures - being mostly text information, but it does make very interstting reading, and is very much geared to a very different age of motorcycle ownership where regular engine stripdowns and de-coking were a standard part of motorcycle ownership.  Much of the information is still pertinent today though, and is useful for getting a good feel for what is required to run a 'Flat Tank' Norton.

There is also a period and interesting to read chapeter, written by the great Norton Wizard of Speed - D. Rl O'Donovan, entitled 'Hints on Tips on Racing Engines'  As the chapter heading suggests - this section gives some useful tips on tuning Norton engines of that era - including original spark plug types and reference to both the flat tank TT, BRS and BS models.

The maintenance catalog does also include valve timing and ignition timing details - but as may be expected of such an early publication - these are mainly shown in fractions of an inch!

Altogether an interesting read, and re-produced on high quality A4 format, which makes is more easily readable than the original A5 format.

Final point - if wishing to buy this publication alongside the 1925 Spare Parts List (1150), we offer them both together as Item 1152, with a slight discount.