Al's 1934 Model 18 Norton

Sent by Al in the UK

"This is my 1934 Norton Model 18 - this was professionally restored a few years ago, I use it regularly and it has proved to be 100% reliable, I have all document going back to the first owner."

1934 Model 30 Norton

Sent by V. Devis in Italy

This is a Model 30. It was checked by Annice and Michelle against the Works Records and it still has the original engine to frame. It was sent to Jordan, Hull, 8 May 1934. The specification is very hard to read in the records but it probably contains the word 'racing'.

Thierry's 596cc Model 30 engine

Sent by Thierry in France

A very interesting find! Thierry owns a 596cc Model 30 engine, never officially listed in the Norton catalogues and only a handful of these machines may have been built. See the entry on Ballazam's bike for more info.


"The number on the base of the barrel is 60xxx; there is no number on the crankcase which may have been replaced at some time. The number on the barrel belongs to a 596cc Model 30, shipped on 8 November 1934 to a Geneva dealer "Demont", with an optional dynamo (Bosch) and a speedo. The frame number could have been 55xxx but unfortunately the page that contains my Norton's details is messy and the numbers are unclear. The engine has some interesting racing parts fitted: a full bronze head, magnesium cambox and the central oil feed through the camshaft to the cambox. So, now I'm looking for more information on the bike and of course the parts to build it into a complete Norton! Bien cordialement, Thierry."

Marcel's 1934 M30 Norton

Sent by Marcel

This is Marcel's 1934 M30 International, another Norton that used to belong to Ko Konijn. Fresh paint was applied by Marcel, for the rest it had been properly rebuilt by Ko in the past. This was the first bike from Ko's collection that was started after decades in storage.

Max's 1934 Model ES2 Norton

Sent by Max in Argentina

I am sending a three pictures of my 1934 ES2. The photo above was taken on a trip to Mar del Plata. Appropriately I used a 1934 Leica camera for the photograph.

Nortons in the 500cc Dutch TT races, 23th of June 1934

Piet van Wijngaarden with number 2 and Swiss rider Georg Cordey with number 38; both on Model 30 Internationals.

Piet again, being chased by P.Ruttchen on an NSU.

...and Vidal, on an over-the-counter Model 30, chasing a Sunbeam.

...and Jimmie Guthrie. The race was won by someone called Pol Demeuter.

An Inter's underside

How often do you see an old picture of the underside of a cammy Norton? This rider (I don't recognize him) dropped his Norton in a corner during the TT traces at Assen on the 23th of June 1934.

The motorcycle is a Model 30 or Model 40 Norton. Note the tyre profile.

Jimmy Simpson, 23th of June 1934, 350cc TT races Assen

Jimmy Simpson won the 350cc races at Assen on the 23th of June 1934. His motorcycle is an M40 International works racer.

Pushing the bike into the paddock. Note the poster advertising the German Grand Prix ("Grosser Preis Deutschland"). An unsympathetic bloke, wearing a helmet with a swastika, seems to be pushing a British rider into the gutter; Simpson is not impressed but this is a sign on the wall if ever there was one.

350cc Model 40 Nortons

Spanish rider E. Vidal and his father at the TT races in Assen, the 23th of June 1934. His motorcycle is an early 350cc Model 40.

In this photo, on the left, we see Vidal's Model 40 again. Number 37 is Jimmy Simpson's Model 40; Jimmy is wearing a helmet; next to him Piet van Wijngaarden. Jimmy Guthrie and Joe Craig can be seen in the background. Jimmy Simpson won the 350cc race on his factory racer.

Simon's words:" A mr J Vidal rode a works Norton in the Isle of Man in '25 and '27. He was connected with the Spanish Norton agents; he retired in both races. Their Model 40 looks to be one of the first - ie 1932 - note Lucas racing magneto, forks with no check springs, Best and Lloyd filler cap on tank, two knee grip studs on the tank for Dance knee grips etc. And it looks quite well used, to say the least of it!"

c1934 Model 18

Probably a wartime picture, note the blackout cover on the headlamp and the uniform. It looks like a 490cc Model 18, note the open diamond frame. The front fork does not have the check springs that were introduced on all models in 1934 but is the 8" headlamp not a bit later than that? (Picture from http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/)

Isle of Man TT races, 1934

Jimmy Simpson at speed at the Isle of Man TT, 1934. In the Senior, Nortons would finish at the first (Jimmie Gutrie), second (Jimmy Simpson) and fifth place (Vic Brittain). The motorcycle is a works M30 International; there seems to an additional strut securing the front of the engine to the frame. The photo below shows the Senior team: Guthrie with number 29, Simpson with 36 and I guess number 33 is Brittain. (Top pic contributed by Dennis)