- Joined
- Sep 19, 2020
- Messages
- 14
Hi, New to Nortons. Never owned one or ridden one. Had far to many old British bikes so decided to downsize my collection. Had cash from sale of some bikes in my pocket and should of come home but as is often the case decided I needed a new toy so bought this. I think it looks fantastic though until I have a few miles under my belt on it will not know if its going to be a love affair with Norton . Anyway this is the info I have on it and hopefully some of you knowledgeable Norton guys can help educate me. It started life as a 1939 International 490cc, so is this also known as a model 30 ? It just has Norton International on reg docs. In 1948 the owner decided he wanted to enter the senior class TT but after talking to his friend and fellow racer was told he would be better off as a first time privateer in the junior 350cc class. The friend Frances Beart then converted his 39 500 bike to racing spec and fitted a tuned 350cc engine. As far as I can make out from the paperwork it also had fitted a Arthur Skinner alloy fuel tank and Beart oil tank with a oil drip needle valve to front chain and possibly also one to main drive chain as I think I can feel a patch to block it off on back of oil tank. Its under silver paint so cant see a take off, though front take off is still there. The tank and oil tank was supplied by Francis Beart and the oil tank is described as a Beart special as fitted to the Daytona. It was also fitted with a BHT TT magneto. Must admit I know nothing of any of these names or what the Daytona was ? I have photos of the owner and rider on the start of the 1948 TT. It also had drilled brakes, clutch and other bits and bobs. Looking at the original photos it looks to have black mudguards and it now has alloy ones. The owner finished the race and came in 45th, may seem low down but unlike many he at least finished . After the race the 350cc was removed and the original 490cc engine refitted. All other parts were left with the bike.
Now the story continues as it seems for some reason the bike was dismantled sometime after this. Around 30 years ago the last owner bought the remains of the bike from the first owners and TT riders widow and set about rebuilding it. Sadly for some reason the frame had been lost either from damage or something. It was rebuilt using a 52 ES2 plunger frame and is as it is today. Would it been a plunger or rigid when it was new in 39 ? Unable to see in the photo so is there anyway you can tell from the 490cc engine number? It has been paraded at events and as the last owner got it road registered it has done a few thousand road miles.
My first questions to do with front end It says it has Manx sliders ? and Arthur Skinner Inter Top Clip, would these of been fitted back in 1948 and how would I know how to ID these parts ? Looking at the original picture of it on starting line it has the same or similar forks as on on it now but the tops are black, are these shrouds to cover the tubes. It now shows surface rust on these parts and should I cover them ? I do see other Nortons with the top tubes on show, is there a benefit ? Are these forks Norton Roadholders ? I would of thought back in 1939 it would of had girder fors so guess they were changed to these in 1948 ? The wheels are Akont alloys and it looks like this was the wheels on the bike in photo but cant be sure. I think the wheels on it are probably replacements from around 30 years back. Were Akront wheels available in 1948 ?
I have many more questions but I will start at the front of the bike and work back for now . Hope someone can help with my questions as always like to know my bikes fully. Cheers.
PS, How do you post photos ? Unable to work that out even with the help of my son who is quite computer savy
Now the story continues as it seems for some reason the bike was dismantled sometime after this. Around 30 years ago the last owner bought the remains of the bike from the first owners and TT riders widow and set about rebuilding it. Sadly for some reason the frame had been lost either from damage or something. It was rebuilt using a 52 ES2 plunger frame and is as it is today. Would it been a plunger or rigid when it was new in 39 ? Unable to see in the photo so is there anyway you can tell from the 490cc engine number? It has been paraded at events and as the last owner got it road registered it has done a few thousand road miles.
My first questions to do with front end It says it has Manx sliders ? and Arthur Skinner Inter Top Clip, would these of been fitted back in 1948 and how would I know how to ID these parts ? Looking at the original picture of it on starting line it has the same or similar forks as on on it now but the tops are black, are these shrouds to cover the tubes. It now shows surface rust on these parts and should I cover them ? I do see other Nortons with the top tubes on show, is there a benefit ? Are these forks Norton Roadholders ? I would of thought back in 1939 it would of had girder fors so guess they were changed to these in 1948 ? The wheels are Akont alloys and it looks like this was the wheels on the bike in photo but cant be sure. I think the wheels on it are probably replacements from around 30 years back. Were Akront wheels available in 1948 ?
I have many more questions but I will start at the front of the bike and work back for now . Hope someone can help with my questions as always like to know my bikes fully. Cheers.
PS, How do you post photos ? Unable to work that out even with the help of my son who is quite computer savy
Last edited: