First Manxman

Very well Dave, really the only thing I would like was that tank to preserve it and maybe the engine plates so I could use the commando primary covers.
 
Here's the latest.. @Ronnie and I spent a little time trying to find traces of the original polychromatic blue and found a little. Time to start digging a little deeper into the project ;)

The goofy smile on my face is from when I realized there is actually a speedo in the headlight shell!

 
well actually this motorcycle was built november 7th 1960 , so its not 1961 manxman and really a 1960 Norton 650cc manxman model named by Joe Berliner of Berliner Motors New Jersey and Not the Norton factory but by production the name suck, and these motorcycles landed on US soil on january 23rd 1961 and only 3 batches were ever made so today there very rare motorcycle and the first one even rarer where do find the first model of any motorcycle in our days Mike Tyler you are a very lucky man indeed so do your best to get this very special motorcycle looking like new again the value will be around the 50,000 dollar mark at auction, just for its rarity best of luck from me mate
 
MT watched your youtube...very entertaining to watch a newbe in the "discovery" process. The color on the bottom of your tank looks correct. However despite AJD, It is NOT silver base coat of a "metal flake"with a blue colored clear coat.. What it is, is one of the finest metalic textures I have ever seen and the color is a single coat of metalic blue... shade? polychromatic blue. I find the lotus color to be very close. Interesting enough is the lucas headlight bucket was delivered to norton in black and was painted over with the blue. I have very closely examined 2 manxman headlights to confirm that. All the norton specific sheet metal like the tank is just blue...
This color on my friends manxman we both know is WAY to bright! He bought it that way. He made it run with a bit of technnical help from me. Cam change, magneto work, and lots of engine massaging. Charging system upgrade to 12V. He say getting an exhaust was indeed a challenge. Not 100% perfect but it is a rider not a show bike.
Here he is on the maiden voyage a few days ago:
First Manxman
 
annajeannette said:
well actually this motorcycle was built november 7th 1960 , so its not 1961 manxman and really a 1960 Norton 650cc manxman model named by Joe Berliner of Berliner Motors New Jersey and Not the Norton factory but by production the name suck, and these motorcycles landed on US soil on january 23rd 1961 and only 3 batches were ever made so today there very rare motorcycle and the first one even rarer where do find the first model of any motorcycle in our days Mike Tyler you are a very lucky man indeed so do your best to get this very special motorcycle looking like new again the value will be around the 50,000 dollar mark at auction, just for its rarity best of luck from me mate
Click to expand...

Anna, I think your $50K estimate is somewhat ambitious or merely pure fantasy.
 
Thank you very much @dynodave for your note. I really appreciate it! I haven't had much time to look at the bike recently but hope to get back to it again soon. Cheers, Mike
 
dynodave said:
MT watched your youtube...very entertaining to watch a newbe in the "discovery" process. The color on the bottom of your tank looks correct. However despite AJD, It is NOT silver base coat of a "metal flake"with a blue colored clear coat.. What it is, is one of the finest metalic textures I have ever seen and the color is a single coat of metalic blue... shade? polychromatic blue. I find the lotus color to be very close. Interesting enough is the lucas headlight bucket was delivered to norton in black and was painted over with the blue. I have very closely examined 2 manxman headlights to confirm that. All the norton specific sheet metal like the tank is just blue...
This color on my friends manxman we both know is WAY to bright! He bought it that way. He made it run with a bit of technnical help from me. Cam change, magneto work, and lots of engine massaging. Charging system upgrade to 12V. He say getting an exhaust was indeed a challenge. Not 100% perfect but it is a rider not a show bike.
Here he is on the maiden voyage a few days ago:
First Manxman
Click to expand...
well done Dave the bike suit you sir and you have the right colour blue now that a real head turner not many of these bikes around so its something that bit different and them handlebars are just right for you do enjoy this motorcycle
 
Hello Guys Now try help out and find a set of Norton manxman pipes and Silencer IE mufflers In the USA and the correct paint or paint code, some one knows where and who has these Items we just like to know whats for sale so get in touch with any info asp
 
In 1960 the headlamp shells (bucket) was supplied to Norton already painted . Lucas used a different paint than the factory and under sunlight they faded at a different rate to the rest of the bike .My 99 has original paint finishes and the Hl is now orange when the Norton red has barely faded. Seems likely that the metallic Manxman paint was too much bother for Lucas so they opted for Black? and left Norton to do the job?. Anna's valuation does seem fancifull but I fear she will be proved correct in the not too distant future. I would not sell my £400 Norton for less than £7000 now.
 
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