1989 Manx Engineering 499cc Manxman

Registration no. not registered Frame no. none Engine no. ME900303

• One owner from new
• Purchased direct from Neville Evans
• Only 10 miles from new

In the 1980s Neville Evans started Manx Engineering in his home town of Port Talbot, with the aim of manufacturing an up-to-date version of the Featherbed Norton Manx which would be suitable, with some alterations, for both road and track use. He used as his base the long-stroke single overhead camshaft Norton engine, and manufactured new parts which, for the most part, were interchangeable with original Norton components. Improvements over the original design included the enclosure of the valve actuation gear in a new cambox, which featured roller bearing cam followers and sealed pushers. Coil valve springs were used, and bore and stroke dimensions altered to 85x88. All components were newly made, and crankcases were made from aluminium alloy. Gearbox is a 4-speed close ratio, and primary transmission via a Newby belt drive. The frames were made by Ken Sprayson, and described as a 'continuation of Manx production'. Bikes were available in road trim, with lights fitted, or track guise as here. It is thought that few of these machines were ever actually produced, although estimates vary wildly between 10 and 50.

The owner of this Manxman was living in South Africa when he heard of Evans' venture, and was inspired to contact him to discuss purchase. On one of his trips home, he sought out the man and visited him in Port Talbot. A deposit was paid, and the machine duly delivered in 1989. It was kept with family in the UK until the owner returned from South Africa to live in the UK once again. He originally intended to use the Manxman for classic racing in South Africa, but found that the level of import duty was prohibitive. He then considered the bike for track days and parading in the UK, but this never happened, and he has only ridden the machine for an estimated 10 test miles. It has however, been dry stored and started at regular intervals, and was last run approximately three years ago. A new owner should only need to perform a basic check-over in order to use the machine (which runs on Castrol R40) on road or track, and the vendor points out that it will require careful running-in, as detailed in the running instructions for the new machine. When purchased, the vendor also bought a 'quiet' exhaust system from Evans which will accompany the bike.

Documentation comprises the original sales brochure for the bike, together with starting and running instructions. Also included is a copy of Classic Racer magazine from 1989 which has an article on Neville Evans and production of the Manxman.