Nor-BSA 500cc Racing Motorcycle

• Acquired for the Brailsford collection in 2014
• Engine fully rebuilt
• Only used on the road

Norton's ubiquitous Featherbed frame has long been the special-builder's friend, proving versatile enough to accommodate power units of all kinds ranging from the humble British single up to relatively modern Japanese fours and even the occasional car engine. The Triumph-engined Triton is by far the most common of these hybrids, followed by the BSA-engined Nor-BSA, usually using a twin-cylinder engine.

Acquired for the Brailsford collection in 2014, this particular Featherbed-framed special consists of a Norton 'wide-line' frame modified to accommodate the BSA oil pump on the right-hand side of the engine by means of a small additional loop. The forks are Manx specification with external springs and John Tickle alloy yokes. The front brake is a Ceriani 230mm double-sided four-leading-shoe item, while the rear brake is a Triumph conical hub converted to Manx appearance and fitted with improved cam levers. The fuel tank is hand made in the style of 1960s Lyta short circuit tank; the central oil tank is handmade Manx type; and the custom-made seat is also in Manx style. Engine plates are custom made and so are the footrest mounts, while the rear-sets are handmade Seeley style.

The engine is based on a BSA DBD34 unit, built using second-hand crankcases but incorporating nearly all new parts including the crankshaft, cylinder barrel and head, Clubman cams, and a larger oil pump. The engine is fed by a 1½" Amal GP carburettor with remote float chamber. Ignition is provided by a Lucas magneto. The gearbox is BSA with a new clutch and belt primary drive. It should be noted that the engine number is not a BSA factory stamping.

The bike is road legal with a daylight MoT; it has only been used on the road and never paraded. Accompanying paperwork includes a current V5C; some expired MoTs, and CRMC Registration Certificate. The date of first registration is given as 9th May 1984, which presumably is when the machine was originally built up in this form.