Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: M10M73811
Engine No: 11M78809
CC: 500
MOT: N/A

• A beautiful example of the legendary Manx Norton
• Authentically restored back to factory condition
• 86 x 85.6 mm engine stamped 'BEART'

Norton was founded by James Lansdowne Norton in Birmingham in 1898 and began building motorcycles with French and Swiss engines in 1902. In 1907 a Norton with a Peugeot engine won the first Isle of Man TT race starting a long tradition of sporting excellence. The OHC 350 and 500 singles, initially based on the roadgoing Inter model and later becoming the classic Manx, became the mainstay of road racing for over three decades. The Norton factory race bikes under team manager Joe Craig were experimental models and a version was available for sale from the factory in Bracebridge Street to selected customers. Fitted with the McCandless brothers' Featherbed frame from 1950, the bike was renowned for its fine steering, necessary for the bumpy and very fast racing circuits of the time. Every top road racer from Geoff Duke to Mike Hailwood enjoyed success on a Manx at some point in their career.

This c.1957 model is thought to have been ridden by Terry Shepherd in the 1958 TT, an event where he finished 4th in the Junior and retired in the Senior race, unfortunately, there is no documentary evidence to prove this. The frame number starting with M10 would mean it left the factory fitted with a 350 engine, but has an engine number starting with 11M that would suggest it now has a 500cc motor. The frame and running gear was the same on both the 350 and 500 models so it was quite common in the day for engines to get swapped between bikes. There is a plate on the engine stating its bore and stroke as 86 x 85.6 and intriguingly 'BEART' is stamped below the engine number suggesting legendary Manx tuner Francis Beart has worked on it at some point. Beart was one of the most celebrated Manx tuners who prepared engines for many top road racers including Terry Shepherd in the period. Presented in excellently restored authentic condition, this beautiful example of one of the most famous and historically important race bikes ever made would grace any collection. Kept on display in recent years it would need recommissioning before use.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415871189