Believed ex Frank Williams, c.1946 Norton Racing Motorcycle

Gearbox no. G16 180

The precise history of this fascinating Norton has become blurred by the passage of time, yet the accompanying history file points to a remarkably colourful past involving several notable figures from Britain's post-war racing scene.

Registration number 'AHL 500' is recorded in the accompanying V5C registration document as a 1946 Norton 496cc, listed with frame number 12249 - found stamped on the top tube beneath the fuel tank - and engine number 24628. Though it should be noted that the engine currently fitted is not that listed on the registration document and the motorcycle incorporates components from several different periods

A particularly intriguing chapter in the machine's history appears in the 23rd January 1958 edition of Motor Cycling, where registration number AHL 500 was featured in an illustrated article by noted journalist John Griffith entitled Road-Going Racer – An Interesting 'Special'. The article describes the motorcycle as an ex-Denis Parkinson plunger-frame Manx Norton fitted with a Triumph twin-cylinder engine and built by renowned tuner and racer Frank Williams of Brighton. The article reads as follows:

"The name Frank Williams has long been associated with swift motorcycles and at the recent sprint gathering at Silverstone, to which Frank had been invited with his 1,000cc Norton JAP, he told me of a road model he had built up for his own personal transport. Power unit was one of the ubiquitous Triumph 'alloy' generator motors made for W.D. use. Many people have used this engine to power specials, but it was safe to assume that Frank's latest effort would be exceptional, so I made a date to visit his Brighton home.

"The machine is basically an ex Denis Parkinson plunger sprung 'Manx' Norton. The Triumph motor has been carefully grafted into this frame. Special light alloy engine plates are employed to give an exceptionally rigid mounting, further aided by a heavy gauge alloy 'steady' to the cylinder head.

"The 498cc Triumph power unit fits snugly into the Norton. Steering and braking are first class, and wheels are standard Norton components. Modification has been made in tanks. A deep cut clearance for the carburettor intakes. And by having it satin chrome plated all over, an unusual finish on the frame has been obtained.

"This close up of the twin engine shows the substantial engine plates and head steady, all made of light alloy. Heel and toe gear operation is unusual. On the road the model clearly showed its race breeding. The power from the motor was ample evidence of the amount of work the owner has put into it, and on one stretch of main road the rev counter closely approached the '100mph in top' figure several times. Brakes were extremely good and the whole job is a real piece of enthusiast's delight."

The file also contains a 1981 letter from five-time Manx Grand Prix winner Denis Parkinson to a Mr P Kirby of Staines, Middlesex – which reads:

"Dear Mr. Kirby,

"In answer to your letter, we did get a new machine from Nortons in August 1946 for the 1946 Manx and as production had hardly got into top gear from the end of the War, the machine was, as far as I can remember pretty similar to those turned out in 1939. I do think it had alloy rims and that they were 19" wheels, because we had to use synthetic tyres in 1946 as the real rubber ones had not become available. The machine in question was certainly registered by us (we were Norton Main Dealers) and from memory I am pretty certain that this was one of my own racing machines. I used to Tax my racers as for a time after the war I used to put on silencers and number plates, get up early mornings and nip into the coast and back before breakfast to keep in trim, and to get used to riding bikes again after 6 years in the Army.

"We retired from our Motor Cycle Business in 1977 and all our records have been destroyed so I cannot check up anywhere on any other facts, but the Reg. No. certainly means that it was one of ours. I enclose an old photo of me on my Norton which was ridden to win the 1953 Manx and this was the first of the then new Shortstroke Norton engines which proved to be so good.

"We are down your part of the world the next two week ends helping with the two presentations of Moto X from Halstead on Saturday and then Brands a week later for the final round of the MCN. Championships.

"Sorry that the above is the best I can do.

"Yours sincerely,

"Denis J.R. Parkinson".

The 1987 purchase receipt on file simply lists the vehicle registration number and frame number (no engine number listed); therefore, it may be that the late owner purchased the machine as a rolling project, installing the Norton Manx engine currently fitted at a later date.

Barry Strickland of the Norton Owners Club kindly indicates that frame number A10M 5427 appears plausible; however, the engine number is considered a non-factory stamping, possibly applied by a period rider, mechanic or tuner. It is also noted that the motorcycle incorporates components from several different periods and was unable to confirm engine capacity in the absence of an original factory-prefixed engine number.

The machine displays a number of desirable racing features, including a pie-crust oil tank, bolt-through fuel tank, Roadholder forks, Amal T10 RN carburettor, Lucas racing magneto, Smiths 120mph speedometer (recording 14,588 miles) and Smiths 8,000rpm rev counter.

The VMCC kindly advise frame number 12249 as belonging to a 1948 Model 18 dispatched on 15th September 1947 to TKM Australia. However, the secondary stamping A10M 5427 does not correspond with factory records (prefix should be A2), and serial number 5427 is that of a 1946 Model 16H despatched 9.8.46 to Carnshaw, Huddersfield. The engine number similarly does not match known Norton production formats, despite the engine exhibiting the appearance of a Manx unit. The Club further confirmed that registrations bearing the AHL prefix were issued in the Wakefield area between 1943 and 1947.

Accordingly, prospective bidders must satisfy themselves entirely with regard to the validity of the Vehicle Registration Number prior to bidding.

As with many historic racing motorcycles, decades of modification, competition use and component interchange have left questions that can no longer be answered definitively. Consequently, the exact origins and evolution of this unique machine are unlikely ever to be fully established. Nevertheless, its documented links to Denis Parkinson, the possibility of ownership and modification by Frank Williams, and its striking period specification combine to make it a highly evocative and intriguing Norton special.

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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