LOT 116

Property of a deceased's estate 1915 Norton 633cc Big 4 Motorcycle Combination Registration no. O 2559 Frame no. 1527 Engine no. none visible

Sold for £12,650 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 116

Property of a deceased's estate, 1915 Norton 633cc Big 4 Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. O 2559 Frame no. 1527 Engine no. none visible

The Summer Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show (Three-Day Auction)|2 July 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

Property of a deceased's estate
1915 Norton 633cc Big 4 Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. O 2559
Frame no. 1527
Engine no. none visible

Having hitherto relied on proprietary engines, Norton introduced its own in 1907. The long-stroke (82x120mm) sidevalve single displaced 633cc and the new model it powered became known as the 'Big 4'. Smaller versions followed and in 1911 the '500' adopted the classic 79x100mm bore/stroke dimensions that would characterise the half-litre (actually 490cc) Norton for the next 50 years. Norton's sidevalves were revised for 1914 and in 1921 the Model 16, as it had become known, received a new lower frame, becoming the 16H. Considered by many to be an ideal sidecar 'tug', the Big 4 (and 16H) would be continuously updated for the next 30-plus years, many seeing service with Allied forces in WW2. Post-war, the Big 4 was revised with a shorter (113mm) stroke for a capacity of 597cc before taking its final bow, alongside the 16H, in 1954.

This Big 4 comes with a detached reproduction sidecar chassis and wicker 'chair' in need of restoration. Photographs and correspondence on file suggest that the machine was restored circa 2010, and it is pictured in solo form at the VMCC's 'Festival of 1,000 Bikes' at Mallory Park in July 2011. Additional documentation includes an NOC dating letter; old-style continuation logbook (1963); assorted correspondence; restoration notes and diagrams; and an old-style V5C document. This motorcycle's condition, completeness, and correctness is not known and thus it is sold strictly as viewed.

Saleroom notices

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Additional information

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POST SALE COLLECTION AND SHIPPING INFORMATION
Cycling, Motorcycle Spares and Memorabilia (Lots 201 to 551)
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