1920 Norton Brooklands Special

Lot details
Registration No: HX 2609
Frame No: 3260
Engine No: 20637
cc: 490
MOT Expiry Date: T.B.A.

The most famous of all the single speed machines were the Norton B.S. (Brooklands Special) and the B.R.S. (Brooklands Road Special). They were supplied when new with certificates signed by the tuner D.R. 'Wizard' O'Donovan and these confirmed that the engine had exceeded 70mph (for the B.R.S. - 75mph in the case of the B.S.) for the flying kilometre at O'Donovan's test track at Brooklands. They also came with an instruction book written by the man himself explaining how to set up the Binks 'rat trap' carburettor when fitted for speed trials and hill climbs.
We are privileged to offer today this example of a Brooklands Special in road trim. It has a documented history back to 1928 when owned by Jack Watson-Bourne, a leading competition rider of the day, and in 1931 it was loaned to Torrens of the Motor Cycle who rode it across London in the snow and then climbed the 1 in 5.5 Pebblecombe hill in Surrey. It then disappeared from circulation until a 'tip-off' from Titch Allen led to its discovery and purchase by Bill Fruin in the 1960's and he road tested it in the first Vintage Road test Journal where he describes the thrill of a new motorcycling sensation.
The present vendor has seldom used the machine but speaks with pride of the time when he gave Phil Heath, riding an 'Inter', a good run in the Isle of Man where he struggled to keep up and clocked speeds in excess of 70mph. He now feels that the time is right to let a new owner enjoy a unique experience and join the band of the elite.