Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection, c.1930 Norton 490cc OHV Dirt Track Racing Motorcycle

Frame no. 42399 Engine no. 46752

• Exceptionally rare Norton variant
• In single family ownership from the 1930s until 1989
• Found to substantially complete before restoration embarked upon

There is no greater name in motorcycle racing than Norton. James Lansdown (Pa) Norton was born in 1869, the son of a cabinet maker who followed a very different path through his fascination of mechanics, intoxicated by innovation in a fast changing world. This demonstrated from a young age when he built a working model steam engine before becoming a teenager. He was apprenticed as toolmaker from the age of fifteen but contracting severe rheumatic fever four years later left him with poor health for the rest of his life. This did not prevent him from setting up his own business. At the age of twenty nine in 1898 the Norton Manufacturing Company was supplying components to the flourishing bicycle trade.

With the approach of the twentieth century Norton's imagination was inspired by an emerging interest in motorcycles which were gaining popularity amongst local enthusiasts. Diverging into motorcycle production was irresistible. A meeting with Charles Garrard, British importer of the French Clement range of engines, resulted in the two men in a joint venture, with Norton manufacturing for Garrard. But from 1902 a Norton motorcycle appeared for the first time with an ever increasing range becoming available but still using proprietary engines, notably Peugeot. Norton himself competed in many sporting events enabling him to evaluate his own machines.

The year 1907 was momentous for James Norton with the inauguration of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races. This was Norton's very first race, the entry of a 690cc V twin Peugeot engined machine owned by Harold Rembrandt Fowler but with factory support. Not only was this Norton's first race but it was an entirely new venture for the intrepid 'Rem' Fowler. With serious opposition and despite making a dozen stops and falling off on a couple of occasions Rem won his class. From being considered without any hope of success this was an outstanding result for the little-known Norton name but unwittingly the start of a formidable racing history over the following decades not only in the Isle of man but throughout the world.

This amazing success spurred Norton to design his first engine. This the first single cylinder engine to become the epitome of the Norton racing motorcycle. There was a survival from bankruptcy in 1912 saved by the action of R.T (Bob) Shelley who with James Norton revitalised the company with expansion evident from 1916. Whilst there were racing and record-breaking successes from the opening of Brooklands in 1907 it was not until 1924 that Norton succeeded in the Isle of Man again, winning both the Senior and sidecar TTs with their ubiquitous push rod OHV singles.

Although the first overhead camshaft Norton, the CS1, appeared in 1927 and was successful in that year's TT, it was an adapted version of the push rod engine that was proposed for the dirt track machine.

By May 1930 when the Norton dirt track model made its first public appearance the sport was very much on a rising ascendancy and by this time the unique requirements for a cinder shifting machine were beginning to be understood. The Norton was the result of much experiment and attention to the latest ideas. The frame with certain influence from the current all-conquering Rudge including the necessary Webb forks and even Rudge type high level twin exhaust pipes. The inclusion of twin exhaust pipes with a single exhaust valve engine an unnecessary complication and added weight.

Frank Varey gave the new Norton the first public outing winning races and breaking lap records at Perrey Bar and Nottingham. However, Frank Varey was one of the very few to really master the Norton and despite his glowing testaments few other riders liked it. Perhaps the frame was too stiff and the engine rather heavy leaving the handling "much to be desired". The machine soon gained the reputation of "being a camel". With the rapid development of the JAP engine soon to eclipse the entire speedway world, the Norton like all others was consigned to obscurity.

Very few of these Nortons were made - maybe no more than eleven - although there are reports of successes on Australian tracks and maybe even in New Zealand. There is some evidence too that the specially developed engine was sold separately as well.

This now very rare example, originally supplied to a dealer called Frodsham in Warrington, UK, was sourced by Richard in 1989 where it had been in the family of Henny Kroeze from the 1930s. Henny's uncle, Arie van de Ployn had used the machine for grass track racing. For this the three speed Sturmey Archer gearbox was used although it is now converted to just a simple countershaft. The engine, a 1930 Model 18 single port unit fitted with the correct short DT timing cover, is not as the original but appears to have been in the frame for most of its life, the engine having been fitted to a machine supplied to the Netherlands in June 1930. When purchased the motorcycle had deteriorated but remained substantially complete until a more recent restoration. This has included the replacement of the lower rear frame chain stays no doubt removed in the earlier life of the machine to find more flexibility.

The Norton dirt track machines were built to a very high specification with a traditional rather heavy lugged frame. The accompanying file with letters discussing the purchase, invoices, photographs before and after restoration, period extracts from magazines and a Wright Wood image of Frank Varey with one of these Nortons. The mechanical condition is not known and therefore we recommend re-commissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent.
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