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Bike Identification

This gallery covers as many as possible of the models produced by New Imperial from 1914 to 1939. It is not possible to illustrate each model, but pictures representative of each family of models are provided, with explanatory notes.  Click on the links at the bottom of the page to find the years in which each model was produced, and to see other useful information.

Identification by engine and frame numbers: Up until 1925 JAP engines were used (Google ‘JAP engine number codes’).

From late 1925 to October 1927, letter codes were used for engines and frames:

  • A = 250cc OHV Model 5
  • B = 300cc SV Model 1
  • C = 350cc SV Model 3A
  • D = 350cc SV Model 2
  • E = 350cc OHV Model 6

From October 1927 until the end of production, a coding system was used which enables the date of manufacture and model number to be easily determined.

The following example illustrates the code:
123/12345/23 = December 1933 Model 23. The first two or three numbers give the month and year of manufacture, the central numbers are a unique serial number, and the last set is the model number. However, there can be some confusion: 128 could be December 1928 or December 1938 ~ in this case the model number needs to be matched to its period of production.

See tabs at the bottom for more model dating charts.


New Imperial Bike Identification -
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Single Cylinder SV Machines New Imperial Single Cylinder SV Machines
New Imperial Single Cylinder SV Machines
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Single Cylinder SV Machines
Capacity:
293cc

Model Years:
1914 - 1919


These machines were initially clutch-less and push-start with two speeds. From 1915, kick starts and clutches were introduced.
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Single Cylinder SV Machines
 
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial V-twin 680cc and 980cc SV
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial V-twin 680cc and 980cc SV
New Imperial V-twin 680cc and 980cc SV
New Imperial V-twin 680cc and 980cc SV New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial V-twin 680cc and 980cc SV
Capacity:
680cc - 980cc

Model Years:
1915 - 1929


Manufactured from 1915 to 1929 with capacities of 680cc and 980cc SV. From 1924 the fuel tank became wedge-shaped.
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial V-twin 680cc and 980cc SV
 
New Imperial Bike Identification -
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Flat Tank Machine 1919-1928 New Imperial Flat Tank Machine 1919-1928
New Imperial Flat Tank Machine 1919-1928
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Flat Tank Machine 1919-1928
Capacity:
250cc - 350cc

Model Years:
1919-1928


Typical flat tank machine with 250cc or 350cc JAP side valve engine.
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Flat Tank Machine 1919-1928
 
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial OHV Engine Model 5
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial OHV Engine Model 5
New Imperial OHV Engine Model 5
New Imperial OHV Engine Model 5 New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial OHV Engine Model 5
Capacity:
350cc

Model Years:
1926-1927


250cc Model 5 or 350cc Model 6 OHV flat tank: the first machines with a New Imperial OHV engine
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial OHV Engine Model 5
 
New Imperial Bike Identification -
New Imperial Bike Identification - Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1931 Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1931
Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1931
New Imperial Bike Identification - Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1931
Capacity:
350cc - 500cc

Model Years:
1928-1931


Typical machine with 350cc or 500cc OHV twin port engine.
New Imperial Bike Identification - Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1931
 
New Imperial Bike Identification - Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1932
New Imperial Bike Identification - Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1932
Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1932
Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1932 New Imperial Bike Identification - Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1932
Capacity:
350cc - 500cc

Model Years:
1928-1932


Typical machine with 350cc or 500cc OHV engine.
New Imperial Bike Identification - Typical New Imperial Machine 1928-1932
 
New Imperial Bike Identification -
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Saddle Tank Machine 1928-33 New Imperial Saddle Tank Machine 1928-33
New Imperial Saddle Tank Machine 1928-33
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Saddle Tank Machine 1928-33
Capacity:
250cc - 350cc

Model Years:
1928-1933


Typical saddle tank machine with 250cc or 350cc side valve engine.
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Saddle Tank Machine 1928-33
 
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 16 / 17 OHV Machines
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 16 / 17 OHV Machines
New Imperial Model 16 / 17 OHV Machines
New Imperial Model 16 / 17 OHV Machines New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 16 / 17 OHV Machines
Capacity:
350cc - 500cc

Model Years:
1932-1934


350cc Model 16 or 500cc Model 17 OHV unit construction engine with optional sprung frame.
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 16 / 17 OHV Machines
 
New Imperial Bike Identification -
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 23 OHV Machine New Imperial Model 23 OHV Machine
New Imperial Model 23 OHV Machine
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 23 OHV Machine
Capacity:
150cc

Model Years:
1932-1939


150cc Model 23 OHV unit construction engine. New Imperial’s longest-running and highest-volume model.
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 23 OHV Machine
 
New Imperial Bike Identification - Model 50 and 60 OHV Grand Prix Machines
New Imperial Bike Identification - Model 50 and 60 OHV Grand Prix Machines
Model 50 and 60 OHV Grand Prix Machines
Model 50 and 60 OHV Grand Prix Machines New Imperial Bike Identification - Model 50 and 60 OHV Grand Prix Machines
Capacity:
250cc - 350cc

Model Years:
1933 - 1935


250cc Model 50 or 350cc Model 60 OHV Grand Prix. Over-the-counter Clubman machines for road or race use. Pistol-grip fuel tank.
New Imperial Bike Identification - Model 50 and 60 OHV Grand Prix Machines
 
New Imperial Bike Identification -
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 30, Unit Super New Imperial Model 30, Unit Super
New Imperial Model 30, Unit Super
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 30, Unit Super
Capacity:
250cc

Model Years:
1933-1935


The Model continued in 1935 - 36 but was then based on the 350cc Model 40, having a visually similar but overall bigger engine. Engine parts are not interchangeable between the two types.
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 30, Unit Super
 
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 40 Machine
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 40 Machine
New Imperial Model 40 Machine
New Imperial Model 40 Machine New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 40 Machine
Capacity:
350cc

Model Years:
1934-1936


350cc Model 40 OHV unit construction engine. Visually similar to Model 30 but bigger all round.
New Imperial Bike Identification - New Imperial Model 40 Machine
 
New Imperial Bike Identification -
New Imperial Bike Identification - Model 70 or 500cc Model 76 Sport Model 70 or 500cc Model 76 Sport
Model 70 or 500cc Model 76 Sport
New Imperial Bike Identification - Model 70 or 500cc Model 76 Sport
Capacity:
500cc

Model Years:
1935 - 1936


500cc Model 70 or 500cc Model 76 sport. OHV unit construction engine.
New Imperial Bike Identification - Model 70 or 500cc Model 76 Sport
 
New Imperial Bike Identification - SV Model 80 (1935) or SV (1936) Machine
New Imperial Bike Identification - SV Model 80 (1935) or SV (1936) Machine
SV Model 80 (1935) or SV (1936) Machine
SV Model 80 (1935) or SV (1936) Machine New Imperial Bike Identification - SV Model 80 (1935) or SV (1936) Machine
Capacity:
500cc - 550cc

Model Years:
1935 - 1936


500cc SV Model 80 (1935) or 550cc SV (1936). OHV unit construction engine.
New Imperial Bike Identification - SV Model 80 (1935) or SV (1936) Machine
 
New Imperial Bike Identification -
New Imperial Bike Identification - 250cc Model 90, 350cc Model 100 OHV 250cc Model 90, 350cc Model 100 OHV
250cc Model 90, 350cc Model 100 OHV
New Imperial Bike Identification - 250cc Model 90, 350cc Model 100 OHV
Capacity:
250cc - 350cc

Model Years:
1936


1936 250cc Model 90, 350cc Model 100 OHV. One year of production only.
New Imperial Bike Identification - 250cc Model 90, 350cc Model 100 OHV
 
New Imperial Bike Identification - 350cc 46, 100, 500cc 76, 110 Twin Port OHV
New Imperial Bike Identification - 350cc 46, 100, 500cc 76, 110 Twin Port OHV
350cc 46, 100, 500cc 76, 110 Twin Port OHV
350cc 46, 100, 500cc 76, 110 Twin Port OHV New Imperial Bike Identification - 350cc 46, 100, 500cc 76, 110 Twin Port OHV
Capacity:
250cc - 350cc

Model Years:
1937-1939


250cc Model 36, 350cc Models 46 & 100, and 500cc Models 76 & 110. Unit construction engine, twin port OHV optional sprung frame.
New Imperial Bike Identification - 350cc 46, 100, 500cc 76, 110 Twin Port OHV
 





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