Considering a Pre War Norton

savingclassicmotorcycles

savingclassicmotorcycles

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Feb 6, 2011
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Hey everyone :) so I've decided I'm finally going to bite the bullet and sell my Yamaha LC's and nos spares and my GSX750ET and look at bringing another Norton into the fold. Potentially could be looking at spending between 10-20k.

The question is which one, my initial thought's have been a Pre War Inter or a Model 18, which have both caught my eye, and in the none Norton camp a Vincent Comet.

Any Pre war bikes I've missed? One other could be a 1920's 16h maybe.
 
In the non Norton camp: The Rudge Ulster is also a really nice riders bike, as well as being technically interesting (4 valve head) and lovely to look at.

And we can’t talk pre war classics without mentioning Mr Turners Triumph twin....
 
Its funny you should mention Rudge's mate a few people have today :) an indeed on the Triumph Twin or the Triumph twin before it to the 6/1 was just reading about those.
 
Depending on money and if it's got to be a Norton then the inter would be my choice
If you are going to wander from the fold there is some amazing stuff from that era
Take a look at the matchless silver hawk ,the Excelsior Manxman etc etc
 
Thanks Baz an Sam yeah the inter is probably top of the list currently really different to anything I've had. Seen examples sell at both ends of my budget as well over the past 3 months including one at the bottom end I would have been all over. I'll have a look at that Matchlesss Baz an same for the beezer Sam a mate of mine did actually mention those last night could be cool if I could turn one up :)
 
Sadly, after Brexit much too complicated to get parts from the UK. Otherwise spares for my 'LC racer had been interesting.
When you mention a Comet, do you think of a pre or post war one? My series C is my favourite touring bike.
Though I think an Inter is a very good choice, whatever you choose, check about spare parts supply before buying.
 
Thanks guys, yep I've been finding the reverse in getting wd bits Mike put a fair bit onto everything.

I would love a HRD Comet but think they will be out of my budget I'm really liking the look of the Series C and those are nicely in budget, ace to hear you are liking yours Mike :)

The current top of the list bike is probably the Inter just gotta learn about the year changes etc ready for when I go looking for one. It's exciting though as I've never had something pre war before be a real shame letting the elsies go but I am keeping the first 350lc which dad an I got an was the bike that started me off working on bikes :)

The Rudges seem nice to and some of the Velo's just started reading up on the Cammy ones, who does everyone use for Inter spares?
 
I went for a Rudge as there are 2 clubs and some spares . Always fancied a Pre-war Inter as H Daniel was my hero. Important to get a bike with good handling and brakes if you intend to mix it with traffic. £14 K should get you a good Rudge.
 
The Inter, like the Manx, is a different ball game compared to your average old Brit bike with regards to working on the engine, setting up the cam box etc is quite specialist from what I've seen / heard.

A mate of mine has a '48 Inter he's actually looking to sell if you're interested Tom, not a show bike but very sorted mechanically. He has a lathe and a mill in his workshop, and my conclusion from watching what he's done is it wouldn't have been possible to do what he did in your average shed... so you might wanna keep that in mind whilst you're looking at bikes that 'need a bit of work'...
 
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Thanks Eddie yep lot's to think about mate, they do look alot more specialist than anything I've owned before. I'll certainly keep that in mind once I start to look just gotta let the elsies and the gsx 750et go.
 
I have a 1936 Ulster which has a later Ulster motor and an enclosed valve Special head. 36 was a changeover year ,my bike has a left side gearchange and interchangeable wheels. Next year it was all different. Rudges were fast and handled well and like Vincents were full of strange solutions looking for problems . An ulster did 200 miles in 2 hours in the 1920's and a 350 sprinter once did 156 mph . Not slow then !!.
 
A mate of mine has two 500cc Rudges, I forget exactly what models etc, but they look gorgeous, sound even better, and are a fantastic riders bike. He regularly does rallies in Europe and track days in the U.K. on them. Really can’t fault them. The club seems famtastic for knowledge and spares too.
 
My dad told me once that his brother threw a Rudge in a pit as he couldn't even give it away when the family had to move house in 1939.
 
94 year old mate of mine extols the virtues of the Rudge. "Don't trudge it, Rudge it!"
He said all the other brands are poorly made. :)
And may I note that make sure you have ONE good reliable bike in the shed when you
start to pile up the old 'uns.
Er, and futhermore, speaking from experience here, better to have one expensive old
jewel than several semi-precious ones. You will get overwhelmed.
 
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