Hi
I brought my 1955 Manx back in 1971 around $370 au, $100 deposit and paid the rest off over 12 months, young family etc.
Put it on the road with, 1958 99 alternator, fibreglass seat and tank, Suzuki head light, concentric carb etc.
I used the Dominator chain case as well.
After a while I also fitted the Dominator gearbox as I got tied of all the push starts, with the Manx Norton box, also meant I could idle through towns in second gear, that is as much as you can idle a Manx.
The first problem was vibration, in hindsight I should have rebalanced the engine to suit the lower Rev/min work of a road bike, anything over 5,500 was great but you can do this all the time and keep a license!
Second problem they don't produce much power down low so really pretty useless but OK for show, and I guess this is what a café racer is about anyway.
Third problem was the oil leaks from the push rods/exposed valve springs, I have recently made longer push rods and a good seal and it appears to have solved the problem some what.
The bike in the photo looks as if the English road salt may be takeing it's toll, I have a similar issue but the bike was in storage for around 20 years, brake hubs are showing signs of oxidisation which I need to address ASAP.
I still have the bike (restored back in the 80s) and will head to Broadford again this Easter with new tyres this time with the plan to stay upright.
As much as I love my Manx I still think the better deal was the G50 Matchless that was produced as a road bike by forgot by who (Colin Sealy?), but easier to keep more oil tight.
Regards
Burgs