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LOT 584

c.1939 Norton 490cc 16H/ES2 Trials Motorcycle Combination Registration no. 780 UXD Frame no. 108360 Engine no. 76087

Sold for £6,900 inc. premium
Lot 584

c.1939 Norton 490cc 16H/ES2 Trials Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. 780 UXD Frame no. 108360 Engine no. 76087

c.1939 Norton 490cc 16H/ES2 Trials Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. 780 UXD
Frame no. 108360
Engine no. 76087

Combining a 1939 ex-WD 16H frame, a 1937 ES2 trials-specification engine, and what is believed to be a Norton-made trials sidecar, this evocative Norton combination was campaigned by its builder and former owner Archie Appleby, accumulating an enviable competition record in the early post-war period. Until his retirement, Archie had for many years been workshop foreman at Alec Bennett Motorcycles in Southampton, while Tom was senior mechanic in the Service Department. It was in December 1975, having long ceased competing, that Archie - a founder member of the Southampton & District MCC - finally sold the Norton combination to a fellow club member, Bob Payton, who then undertook a thorough rebuild, the most important aspect of which involved replacing the post-war telescopic forks with period 'girders'.

Previously registered 'EOF 859', the outfit was offered for sale at Bonhams' Oxford auction in June 2012 (Lot 148) where it was purchased by the immediately preceding owner. Since then the engine has been rebuilt, incorporating a new piston, bearings, valves, and a new-old-stock oil pump, while the fuel tank has been professionally restored, painted and sign-written. Bills and photographs of the engine rebuild are on file. The current vendor purchased '780 UXD' at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in April 2014 (Lot 184). Last run in October 2018, the machine is offered with a V5C document.

Footnotes

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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  • 28 April 2001, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 27 April 2019, 09:00 - 18:00 BST

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