Lot details Registration No: BF 5476 Frame No: 79 Engine No: 101992 cc: 499 MOT Expiry Date: May 2011
The over head valve Norton Model 18 was first seen in 1922. The new model retained the 79mm x 100mm bore and stroke that was already synonymous with the Norton marques 500cc models, but adopted a new over head valve top end that was fitted to the well proven Norton bottom end already in service in the 16H. The new head and barrel employed sound engineering principles with plenty of well spaced finning on the cylinder and the massive head. The rockers were placed well above the head on pillars ensuring adequate cooling. Much of the development work on the new engine was carried out at Brooklands, where the soundness of the design was demonstrated when the new model established a new world record for a 500cc class machine covering a kilometre at 89.22 mph. The new engine was housed in a frame of a similar type to that employed by the 16H, although in order to accommodate the taller over head valve engine without the whole machine becoming overly tall the tank rail was kinked. A three speed Sturmey Archer gearbox was employed as was chain drive both the primary and final drive For the rest of the 1920's the Model 18 provided the basis for many of Norton's competition successes and in recent years has become one of the most sought after Norton's. The first examples still employed a dummy belt rim rear brake, however as the decade progressed drum brakes were adopted.
This attractive example dates from 1925 and clearly shows the kinked frame tube required to clear the valve gear. Restored to a high standard in the traditional Norton livery it is offered with down turned competition style handlebars and benefits from drum brakes front and rear. Racing number plates are fitted to the machine as is a straight through exhaust pipe. The machine formed part of a large European collection until it was purchased by the vendor earlier this year and registered in the United Kingdom with an age related registration number. The motorcycle has been used over the summer on the road by the vendor and is offered with a Swansea V5C, an Mot certificate valid until the 13th May 2011, a road fund licence valid until the 30th April 2011 and a VMCC dating certificate.
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