1928 ES2 Norton

For sale at eBay Motors UK; a 1928 ES2 Norton described by the seller as follows: "500cc OHV numbered ES 38199, no frame number, gearbox number CR7858. Everything is in good shape and really only needs repainting."

A very optimistic view on a restoration! It's a nice project and most of it seems to be there (except for the TT Webbs and the Binks carb) but it's not a bargain at a fixed price of £11000. Still one should consider that 1930s side valve Nortons are priced between 8000-10000 euro nowadays and in that perspective it's not excessive.

Click here to go to Ebay Motors UK. 

An envelope

Another contribution from Martin in the USA:

"This is the back of an envelope I purchased several years ago. It was mailed from Tallinn, Estonia (a country in north-eastern Europe) on October 31, 1935. It was sent to the RCA Victor Company, Inc in Camden, New Jersey, USA.

Has anyone ever heard of Mr. Freybach? Maybe a racer or "local hero"? According to Google Translate, "masinate kauplus" means "machinery shop". Maybe he was a dealer or motorcycle tuner of note? Whoever he was, he went to the expense of having his envelopes personalized." 

The motorcycle appears to be a modified 1931 ES2; the magneto is behind the engine but it still has the Royal Enfield rear hub and the exhaust pipe on the left hand site.

Size matters

Many things grow taller in their lifespan; which also holds for the size of the petrol tanks fitted to flat tank Nortons. Comparing three tanks that were made in the early- and the late 1920s I found that all of them had an overall length of 58-60cm. However, their width varied dramatically and at their widest point they measured 23cm, 29cm and 36cm!

The picture shows the early 1920s tank next to the tank of the 1927 OHV machine that I have just bought. The large tank has a very large filler opening and a vent to allow air to escape upon rapid filling. The tank was enlarged by the addition of an extra compartment at the bottom. All of this suggest a tank that was made for use in some sort of competition.

Terrorist get away attempt.... Bad terrorist!

A clean get away... NOT!!!

Big Ol' Johnson

By John Reno

1927 Flat Tank Norton

This is my latest acquisition and the reason for selling my M30 Inter. A 1927 OHV Norton with some very interesting features. I'm still talking to the experts to find out what it is exactly, the complete story is to follow.

1928 CS1 / ES2 folder

This folder is in French; I don't speak French but it's not too difficult to understand that the two Nortons depicted were very successfull in the 1927 season

Note that both bikes have front mudguards held by flat strips as favoured on the factory racers while the rear mudguards are held by tubular stays. Were they actually built like this or is this an example of an artist at work?
(Contributed by Wim from Belgium)

1936 Model 30 Norton

This M30 International used to be mine; I sold it last week. I've had it since 2004 when I bought it as a basket case (see the pic at the bottom). Restoring was not that difficult. The engine was rebuilt by Stu Rogers and you drop the engine parts at his place, wait for one and a half year, collect and fit. Many of the other parts are similar to abundantly available 16H items that can be made to fit with a little work. What's left is very careful assembly. It's not an original bike but then again, very few Inters are.

Then, even before it was finished I bought a flat tank OHV Norton that I like a lot. I did ride the Inter for a few hundred miles but when the shed got too crowded a decision had to be made and the Inter moved indoors where it spent a few happy years next to the television. Then last week another Norton came along and the Inter had to go.

Ruminating about what happened I came to the conclusion that my taste changed over the years; I like the truly Vintage Nortons that have the bought-in parts from Webb, Royal Enfield and Sturmey Archer so much better now.

Martin's 1921 Model 9 Norton

Another email from Martin in Scotland:

"I've always wanted a belt drive Norton since reading about them in Titch Allen's First Vintage Roadtest Journal in the 1970s. Despite restoring and riding many belt drivers since then, owning one was something I never thought possible until I came across some very rusty and damaged remains of a 1921 Model 9 in Australia in the mid 1990s. It's taken me 'till now to get the bits together for it, by which time my health is not so good and I may not be able to do justice to it once its a runner. However I decided early on to use a 20 inch belt rim which affords a lower gearing than originally used, so it should be more tractable at low speeds at the expense of top speed, so as they say, you never know till you try...

...and as this Model 9 is obviously a basket case, my pic shows the basket too!!

Cheers,
Martin"

2010 Honda Shadow....look a like wannabe of a Harley Davidson 883 Sportster XL Hugger?

You be the judge.

David's 1929 Model JE Norton

I've never actually met David from the UK but we've spoken on the phone quite a few times; I got him a wheel for his 1915 Norton Big Four project and in return he sent me a Royal Enfield wheel for my 1931 CS1. Pleasant conversations and an exchange of Norton parts; a win-win situation!.

David sent me a few pics of his previous project; quite a rare motorcycle as it is a 1929 Model JE Norton. Essentially the 350cc version of the ES2 it has a full cradle frame but note that it is a two-stay version. Not that many were sold, probably because they can't have been much less expensive than the 500cc M18.

David likes to plan the restoration of his bikes and entered his JE for the "Festival of a 1000 Bikes'' when it was still in large lumps; and finished the project in time to participate. This year he will do it again and is confident that his current project, the 1915 Big Four will be up and running in July 2010!

Style Icon

The flat tank Norton turning into a style icon. This painting was made by Conrad Leach and depicts Cohen at speed on his very special Model 18 Norton; note the little Tweenie Devil on the rear mudguard!

Great explanation of what an "Economic Stimulus" payment is and how it works.

Sometime this year, we taxpayers will again receive another 'Economic Stimulus' payment. This is indeed a very exciting program, and I'll explain it by Using a Q & A format: Q. What is an 'Economic Stimulus' payment ? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q.. Where will the government get this money ? A. From taxpayers. Q.. So the government is giving me back my own money ? A. Only a smidgen of it. Q. What is the purpose of this payment ? A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a High-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q.. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the U.S. Economy by Spending your stimulus check wisely: * If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will Go to China or Sri Lanka . * If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs. * If you purchase a computer, it will go to India , Taiwan or China. * If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico , Honduras and Guatemala. * If you buy an efficient car, it will go to Japan or Korea . * If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan. * If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock, it will go To management bonuses and they will hide it offshore. Instead, keep the money in America by: 1) Spending it at yard sales, or 2) Going to ball games, or 3) Spending it on prostitutes, or 4) Beer or 5) Tattoos. (These are the only American businesses still operating in the U.S. ) Conclusion: Go to a ball game with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a yard Sale and drink beer all day ! No need to thank me, I'm just glad I could be of help.

1937 M30 Norton

This photo was lifted from Dennis' website. It depicts Keith Bryen on a 1937 M30 International Norton; obviously rebuilt for use as a scrambler. That's not a Norton tank.

Praise for the flat tank Model 18

Martin from the UK sent another contribution; "I am now prompted to send you a charming little cartoon of a lad and the object of his fantasies, a flat tank Model 18... This was published in 1963 in a book by a well known journalist, Maurice Wiggin, and included a chapter on his motorcycling exploits in the twenties. I attach a copy of the picture drawn to illustrate the section referring to this fine machine, and also a scan of that page to which the picture refers..."

Do click and read the text, it sums up completely why you should own a flat tank Model 18 Norton."...it was rough, noisy, intractable...the Norton was the great racer, the man's machine, the TT hero above all others...hairy, smelly and slightly piratical...the Model 18 was the king."

1912 3 1/2 HP Norton

One of the most famous Nortons ever, 'The Old Miracle'; again a brilliantly clear postcard contributed by Martin from the USA. As Martin remarked, little can be said about this bike that has not been said already. It's a 1912 3 1/2 HP model with a 500cc side valve engine and direct belt drive that secured some 112 speed records before the first World War with a top speed of over 80mph. Note the incorrect 'Curly N' logo on the tank.

Below a pictures of a similar 3 1/2 HP machine. 

Don't forget Valentine's day is tomorrow!

Make sure you get your sweetie a card or sumpthin, or Cupid will find you and kick Yer Ass!

Have a good one!

Victor Horsman wins the 500 Miles Race for 500cc machines.

Victor Horsman and his 16H Norton after winning the 500 Miles Race at Brooklands, 2 july 1921; note that this 1921 machine has a gearbox and all-chain drive.

Horsman was one of the great tuner-riders of his time, winning races and breaking records, first on Norton and then on Triumph machines. He never did forget his Nortons though, see what Titch Allen writes about him in The Story of the Norton;

"After failing to get far with their Ricardo design, Triumph called in a practical tuner, Victor Horsman. Horsman, well versed in Brooklands lore and with an intimate knowledge of Nortons, had scrapped the Ricardo four-valve design and come up with a two-valve head. Already his reworked engines had gone very well at Brooklands, in fact they had put it across the Nortons. Which was not altogether surprising for the bottom end of the Horman Triumphs, as seen on Brooklands and in the Island, were remarkably like Nortons. There were unkind people who said they were Nortons but that was not fair although the idea of running the push rods straight down to the internal cam followers without intervening tappets was pure Norton."

Norton in Australia

The photo above was sent to me by an Australian, Leon, and depicts his approx. 1926 M18 Norton project. Leon casually informed me that he has five (!) 1920s Nortons, four of them flat-tank models and one of them that most coveted Norton, the M25.

It amazes me how many of these fine machines pop up in Australia. Only last sunday I was sent the photo below by another Australian; a very desirable Norton engine, a 1929 ES2 motor, note the dry sump lubrication. Holidays in Australia this summer!

More Norton posters

More Norton posters from Howard's collection; strictly spoken they are a bit too young to our our taste, but they are too nice to miss!

1939 Norton Model 50

A very nice and original 1939 "oily-rag condition" Model 50 from Andy Tiernan's website. This is the 350cc version of the Model 18. Note the inclined pushrod tubes and the absence of the oilpressure tell-tale. Priced at £5000.

Norton posters

Contributed by Howard from Australia. Two from 1929 and one from 1937.

Bathrooms

Not motorcycle related, but had to share.....

Remember that old post I did with the really cool ceiling mural in a smokers lounge and also the mural on the bathroom floor that made you look like you were floating in the sky? And Oh yeah, there was also that one way glass bathroom in that post too.

Click Here for a link to that old post to refresh your memory.

I don't know what it is about bathrooms and me, but for some reason, I find, or get sent cool bathroom stuff that I just gotta share.

Scroll down for a potty you'd never forget.

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CLICK IN THE IMAGE TO "EMBIGGEN" IT.

c1925 Model 18 special

The picture above comes from a postcard found by Martin in the US; Martin had sent me an old postcard before but this one is really special.

The Norton is a 1924/1925 Model 18 and there are a few striking features about this machine. Careful viewers will see that the rake of the front forks is not correct; there is too much "air" in between the magneto and the mudguard. The reason for this is that the bottom fork yoke has been modified; the spindle in this bottom yoke should be in line with the headstock but it isn't; it has been moved almost an inch forward! Brooklands racers often used frames with a longer wheel basis; my guess is that while the modified forks do increase the wheelbasis, the effect on high-speed stability may be disastrous. The yoke could off course have broken but the machine would have landed on the magneto and no accident damage is visible on man or machine.

The Sturmey Archer box is lacking a kickstart mechanism; it has been blanked off where the axis should have been. Further, the rear mudguard is held by flat strips instead of the usual round bars. Both these modifications are typical for Nortons prepared for racing though any amateur could have done the same in his garden shed. And what are the boxes fixed to the oil and petrol tanks?

So what are we looking at; a pukka ex-racing machine or an amateurish attempt destined to fail? Does anyone know the story or recognize man or machine?

update added 13feb10; thanks Roger!

"The registration gives the date of mid 1926 but it is a Birmingham registration so it could have been a works bike. The separate oil tank and lack of kick starter could support this. The small front brake would not have been suitable for racing and an 8" one similar to the rear was used on the 1925 sidecar outfits. The Webb forks were an option but the increased trail certainly was not. It might have been modified for sidecar use but would have been an interesting ride as a solo."

Tim's 1935 16H Norton

Another set of photos sent to me by Tim. This is his unrestored, rusty, highly original and very useable 16H Norton. What strikes me about this 16H is how good these bikes look when everything is correct. Parts like the 8" headlamp, original handlebars and saddle make all the difference. Let's hope it never gets restored! Read Tim's story below:

"Attached pics of my fossilised 1935 16H. I got this Norton in 2001when I heard about it on the grapevine. I was told a guy had been to see it and had considered it too rusty to restore, so he had not bothered to buy it; I bought it over the phone 10 minutes later. 

It had been stood since the mid 1950s with only the rear chain and battery missing. The oil had run from the tank to the sump and had filled it up with the big end submerged in the oil. The engine was still free and had compression. I sent the magneto off for reconditioning, dismantled and cleaned the 3 brush dynamo and rewired the whole bike. New brake shoes, chains, tyres and new inner cables fitted, I like the look of the old frayed outer cables. Removed the top end and honed the cylinder and re ground the valves. Nice to see the engine number is also stamped on the cylinder base (see picture) not many Norton's around with matching numbers. Also note the correct saddle, handlebar, levers and tank fitments.

The Norton runs as it should and you can give it full throttle for long periods, as it it self governing. When the revs get too high the valves start to float, stopping any further revs, and this does no harm to the engine with it being a sidevalve. Not much of the original paint is left on the bike so I give it a coat of wax-oil every couple of years."