c.2015 Norton 1,000cc V4 Factory Racing Motorcycle SG4 (no. 19)

• Factory racing machine
• Believed to be Cameron Donald's 2015 TT bike
• Requires re-commissioning and/or restoration

In 2012, the Norton factory developed a racing bike, based on the Aprilia RSV4 engine housed in a Spondon chassis, intended to race at the isle of Man TT. Rapidly put together, it managed to have some time on the Island track in 2012 practice, but was ineligible to race that year. The following year two bikes were entered with Dan Hegarty, and Ian Mackman on board. Hegarty (on bike number 38) managed to finish 36th in the Senior TT race, but a DNF in the Superbike TT; Mackman (on bike number 21) was 24th in the Senior, and 18th in the Superbike. At the 2014 and 2015 races, Cameron Donald was the sole rider with two DNFs in 2014, whilst in 2015 he had a DNF in the Senior, but finished 18th in the Superbike race.

Rolling forward to 2019, Norton announced the sale of a Limited Edition of 200 road bike models named the V4SS, based on the experience with the race team, which was offered to the public to order in advance. The private vendor of this machine decided, at the suggestion of a friend, to invest in a V4SS, and duly paid the full amount for one of the new machines. It eventually became clear that the orders for the V4SS bikes were not likely to be fulfilled, at which time our vendor spoke to his friend who was also a friend of Stuart Garner, the CEO of Norton. It was agreed that our vendor would accept this machine, plus another racing bike (also offered separately in this sale) in exchange for the payment made. Stuart Garner duly delivered both machines to our vendor's home, in person. They have remained untouched ever since.

The machine offered here, wearing Cameron Donald's number 19 from the 2015 TT, is believed to be the SG4 machine he raced that year. We are advised that this bike was originally fitted with an Aprilia CRT Grand Prix engine. Since acquisition, this machine has remained untouched, and is in 'as found' condition, with some components missing, and we are unable to confirm if the engine in this machine turns, as there is evidently no connection of the drivetrain between the engine and gearbox, suggesting that the clutch, at least, is missing. It is fitted with cast wheels, Brembo front brake calipers, unlabelled front forks, and a Showa rear shock absorber. It carries Donald's racing number from 2015. Later machines were ridden at the TT from 2016 to 2019 by other riders, such as Dave Johnson, Josh Brookes, and John McGuiness.
As this motorcycle was not a working machine when acquired by the vendor, and it is evident from inspection that it is not presently operable, and not 'race ready' in any way, we must emphasise that the machine will need to undergo a thorough recommissioning or restoration process by someone familiar with the marque and/or racing machines, before running or returning to the track, and potential purchasers should satisfy themselves as to the condition, provenance, and authenticity of the bike prior to bidding.

That being said, anyone who witnessed these iconic machines hurtling around the Isle of Man TT course, with their visceral exhaust note, could only be thrilled at the prospect of potentially owning one to ride, parade or race for themselves.

We have consulted sources with knowledge of these machines, who advised us that, as with bike no. 21, since it raced in the Isle of Man, many parts appear to have been changed on this machine also. Whilst the frame, wheels and swingarm appear broadly correct for the period, the swingarm is almost certainly not the original item. The original SG4 swingarm had a polished finish and used a smaller diameter spindle. The frame adjusters visible on the bike also differ from the original configuration. The exhaust system fitted to the bike appears to come from the earlier SG3 machine from 2014, which can be identified by the ceramic coating. This also suggests that the engine is unlikely to be the original CRT specification unit, as those engines used highly tuned factory internals with oval exhaust ports. The engine currently fitted may therefore be a standard RSV4 road engine, and its internal specification would need to be confirmed. The rearsets appear to be from the earlier SG2 / SG3 era bikes rather than the full SBK specification parts used on SG4. The rear shock appears to be a correct specification Showa unit, although the linkage arrangement may not be original. The complete front end appears to be from a standard RSV4 road bike, including forks, yokes, controls and brakes. The machine originally used full SBK-specification forks and calipers. The main fairings appear broadly period correct, although the front mudguard differs from the original. The electronics package is not original. The original bike used a Cosworth electronics system, whereas the current bike appears to use a mixture of road bike components with an Aprilia SST dashboard. The steering damper appears correct specification but is mounted differently from how the bike was originally built. The fuel tank appears to be correct specification. The rear subframe is not original, as it is missing the integrated undertray sections used to house the electronics, and the HPA appears to be mounted on a fabricated bracket.

Documentation comprises a chronology of events by the owner, some copy emails and a copy invoice.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the track 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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