Lot details Registration No: FH 5186 Frame No: 23956 Engine No: 35731 cc: 490 MOT Expiry Date: None
The over head valve Norton Model 18 was first seen by the public 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 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 for 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 example dating from the latter half of the twenties is described as being in good condition mechanically having recently benefited from an engine rebuild. The cylinder was rebored and a new piston fitted at the time and the engine will require running in. The machines cosmetic condition reflects its mechanical condition with the paintwork and brightwork being described as "good". It is offered with a Swansea V5C on which the year of manufacture is declared as being 1927.
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