Info on Norton single cylinder bikes 1940 to latest?

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Hi all,
I'm looking to acquire a Norton Single for restoration. Most likely a 500cc. I wonder if anyone can direct me to a compendium of info on the singles that Norton produced from approx. 1940?

Thanks,
Ed
 
To my knowledge, Norton produced the Garden gate Manx, Inter, then featherbed models from 1950s onwards, ditto the 16H and ES2.
 
Hi all,
I'm looking to acquire a Norton Single for restoration. Most likely a 500cc. I wonder if anyone can direct me to a compendium of info on the singles that Norton produced from approx. 1940?

Thanks,
Ed
Roy Bacon’s two books - “ Norton Singles “ and “ Norton Singles OHV and SV “
Info on Norton single cylinder bikes 1940 to latest?
 
Thank you Richard. I'll look online for these now.

Ed
You might also consider the dvd available from UK based Norton Owners Club on Norton Single Cylinder engines by Mike Pemberton . Mike is the guy who really knows these engines .
His video did not exist when I rebuilt my ES2 some years back but he helped me greatly via e mail .
 
I have the first of the two books shown above (the blue cover). Personally, i'd avoid, it's very superficial and just an overview in 55 pages of 30 years of bikes.

I'd be interested to know if anybody has the second one if it has any useful detailed information or what the quality of the information specifically about the Featherbed Model 50 is? DOn't want to invest in such a book just for 1 paragraph, if you see what I mean. Shame Roy Bacon never did a Singles restoration book..

I also have the Norton twins Restoration book by Bacon, as well as the Haynes manual for the Dominator/Atlas, far more useful practical info (with the obvious fact that the engine and gearbox are not covered, plus other stuff I guess). Haynes manuals are looking so dated these days, desperately in need of modernisation.. (specifically, the quality of the photos which are pretty awful, as is the print quality).
 
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Haynes w/s manuals are essentially very basic, quite often they have left important information out that you have to resort to a workshop manual to obtain that information, at least I've found. Then you have had the added expense of buying 2 books.
 
Would any information in these books be of interest to you?
Info on Norton single cylinder bikes 1940 to latest?
Info on Norton single cylinder bikes 1940 to latest?

Info on Norton single cylinder bikes 1940 to latest?
Info on Norton single cylinder bikes 1940 to latest?
Info on Norton single cylinder bikes 1940 to latest?
Info on Norton single cylinder bikes 1940 to latest?

I don't want to sell them, but if you need to look for information in them, I can loan them to you for the information you want.
 
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Would any information in these books be of interest to you?
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I don't want to sell them, but if you need to look for information in them, I can loan them to you for the information you want.
Thank you Franko,
I may take you up on your offer but I have the two books by Bacon (post #3) on order. If they don't satisfy my needs I may ask to borrow yours.

Thanks,
Ed
 
I also have that book by Haycraft, it's pretty good for what it is (a bit brief, typical of old style manual of that period) but i'd certainly recommend it if you can get for a decent price.

The full title is: The Book of the Norton A Practical Guide on the Handling and maintenance of all 1955-62 O.H.V single-cylinder Touring-type Nortons

there are a number around, I got mine from Abe books, another here:

postage is a bit steep, but it's in NZ.
 
Bruce Main Smith has done the Motorcycle road tests republished vol 1 1930 -1940.
There should be at least one Norton single in there.
Also on e-bay you will see old Motorcycle mags for sale, you can still buy new copies of the Earls Court show edition. I've got a new 1949 copy somewhere, but the metal staples have gone a bit rusty with age - nobody to give it the oily rag treatment!
Hth.
 
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