The David Plant Collection, 1949 Norton 500T Trials

Norton's post-WW2 trials campaign got off to a false start in 1947; the heavyweight, iron-engined Model 18 roadster, fitted with the new hydraulically damped Roadholder front fork, a high-level exhaust and 21" front wheel, proving to be too long, too heavy and possessed of insufficient ground clearance to be competitive. Norton dropped the trials model from its 1948 range but had not given up entirely. A season of extensive modification and experimentation, begun during the winter of 1947/48 by the legendary McCandless brothers - designers of Norton's peerless 'Featherbed' racing frame - resulted in the first appearance late in 1948 of an entirely different machine: the 500T. The shorter and lighter WD 16H frame was used for the newcomer, which featured an ingeniously modified lower fork yoke that reduced the wheelbase to a more manageable 53". In its original, 'all-iron' engined form the 500T tipped the scales at 320lbs, while the subsequent adoption of an alloy cylinder head and (later) a Wellworthy alloy barrel brought that down to 300lbs.

The 500T was announced as a 1949 model at the 1948 Motor Cycle Show, by which time a young Geoff Duke had already won that year's Allan Jefferies Trial riding a 350cc-engined prototype. Numerous other works and privateer competition successes throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s confirmed that Norton had produced a machine as good as, if not better than, any other rigid-framed trials iron. Sadly, there would be no sprung-frame development to carry on the line, and the 500T disappeared from the Norton line-up in 1954.

This 500T was formerly owned by the famous road racer and TT winner Mick Grant. A keen Pre-65 trials competitor, Mick won many trials riding this Norton. Owned by the vendor since 1989, this Norton 500T appears to have led an active life and was last taxed until February 2011. Presented in lovely 'oily rag' condition, the machine is offered with old/current V5/V5C documents. The engine turns over.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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