New to Nortons - 1952 International special

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Hi, New to Nortons. Never owned one or ridden one. Had far to many old British bikes so decided to downsize my collection. Had cash from sale of some bikes in my pocket and should of come home but as is often the case decided I needed a new toy so bought this. I think it looks fantastic though until I have a few miles under my belt on it will not know if its going to be a love affair with Norton :) . Anyway this is the info I have on it and hopefully some of you knowledgeable Norton guys can help educate me. It started life as a 1939 International 490cc, so is this also known as a model 30 ? It just has Norton International on reg docs. In 1948 the owner decided he wanted to enter the senior class TT but after talking to his friend and fellow racer was told he would be better off as a first time privateer in the junior 350cc class. The friend Frances Beart then converted his 39 500 bike to racing spec and fitted a tuned 350cc engine. As far as I can make out from the paperwork it also had fitted a Arthur Skinner alloy fuel tank and Beart oil tank with a oil drip needle valve to front chain and possibly also one to main drive chain as I think I can feel a patch to block it off on back of oil tank. Its under silver paint so cant see a take off, though front take off is still there. The tank and oil tank was supplied by Francis Beart and the oil tank is described as a Beart special as fitted to the Daytona. It was also fitted with a BHT TT magneto. Must admit I know nothing of any of these names or what the Daytona was ? I have photos of the owner and rider on the start of the 1948 TT. It also had drilled brakes, clutch and other bits and bobs. Looking at the original photos it looks to have black mudguards and it now has alloy ones. The owner finished the race and came in 45th, may seem low down but unlike many he at least finished :). After the race the 350cc was removed and the original 490cc engine refitted. All other parts were left with the bike.
Now the story continues as it seems for some reason the bike was dismantled sometime after this. Around 30 years ago the last owner bought the remains of the bike from the first owners and TT riders widow and set about rebuilding it. Sadly for some reason the frame had been lost either from damage or something. It was rebuilt using a 52 ES2 plunger frame and is as it is today. Would it been a plunger or rigid when it was new in 39 ? Unable to see in the photo so is there anyway you can tell from the 490cc engine number? It has been paraded at events and as the last owner got it road registered it has done a few thousand road miles.
My first questions to do with front end :) It says it has Manx sliders ? and Arthur Skinner Inter Top Clip, would these of been fitted back in 1948 and how would I know how to ID these parts ? Looking at the original picture of it on starting line it has the same or similar forks as on on it now but the tops are black, are these shrouds to cover the tubes. It now shows surface rust on these parts and should I cover them ? I do see other Nortons with the top tubes on show, is there a benefit ? Are these forks Norton Roadholders ? I would of thought back in 1939 it would of had girder fors so guess they were changed to these in 1948 ? The wheels are Akont alloys and it looks like this was the wheels on the bike in photo but cant be sure. I think the wheels on it are probably replacements from around 30 years back. Were Akront wheels available in 1948 ?
I have many more questions but I will start at the front of the bike and work back for now :) . Hope someone can help with my questions as always like to know my bikes fully. Cheers.
PS, How do you post photos ? Unable to work that out even with the help of my son who is quite computer savy :)
 
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The easiest way I've found is to get an Imgur free account and copy the 'BB' (bulletin board) link after you upload a picture to the site. It's a bit tedious, my photos go to Google photos, I download then open Imgur and upload - then can crop, resize, rotate etc and when you view the pic the choices on the right will include BB link. Look forward to seeing your bike.
 
New to Nortons - 1952 International special
 
Correct, a model 30 is a 500cc Inter. One of Norton mysteries that a 350 is a model 40.
Daytona refers to a race in the US. Highly regarded by those living over there.
According to Roy Bacon Norton singles, a -39 model 40 had girder forks and rigid rear. Suggest you buy that book.
Having such an amazing history, I suggest you keep it as it is. It is a good example of how a standard motorcycle had transformed to a racer and back to a road bike. In my opinion, too many more original looking bikes never sees the roads. Of course you can find a dolls head gearbox to replace the laydown box. Or change carburettor. If it was mine, I'd paint the mudguards black and fit a pillion bum pad.
 
Must admit will go with the bum pad as have one on another bike and is easier to get down over the tank on. Can you give me any info on the forks ? looking at phot it had black at top so are these covers and are they Roadholders ? I have removed the top nut on one to look in and the top section is empty though the nut is threaded to take a bar that I would of though was a spring retainer ? What are Manx sliders and were they around in 48 and a Arthur Skinner Inter top clip, I am thinking must me a different aftermarket top clip for a International that had some improvements over original ? Will have to look up this Arthur Skinner chap :)
I did think the Laydown gearbox was later than 39, any ideas if this was classed as a emprovement on the Dolls head type and maybe fitted in 48 or do you think later when it was rebuilt ? Really even though it says it was raced at the 48TT and has the paperwork and photos the 2 main parts IE engine and frame were different so would like to know what parts did get used back then :) Still as you say good old bikes evolve and I love that :)
Cheers Jon
 
Looks a lovely bike, with Beart parts.
Your bike is what was once called a " Garden Gate,"
I honestly don't know if there is any difference between an ES2 frame or a Manx version as the f/bed didn't come out until the 1950, I suspect as a Daytona it would have a lower compression ( with a plate under the barrel as all Inters had and softer cams, I would leave them alone because Norton knew what they were doing for the Inter) this was done because of AMA rules to favour HD .
Daytona was a sand/beach race until 1959 then they finally got some asphalt.
If you paint the alloy guards black as suggested above, use alloy etching primer first or the paint will not stick on.
BTW It's Francis Beart.
There is a book out by Jeff Clew "Francis Beart, A single purpose" - you might see some photos in there.
 
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According to the spare parts list for 1948 and 1948 ( RGM sells them )
There was at least 3 garden gate frames, ES2, Inter and Manx.
On forks. They are called Long Roadholders. I think they look as they should. The later Short Roadholder, fitted to the featherbeds had different internals. I'm not certain, but I think your top nut is one from a later fork. Inside thread is for the damper rod on them. From memory renovating Manx and Dominator forks. They have different castings for mudguard fixings and brake plate stays.
On gearboxes. Taking from memory without fact checking. When Sturmey-Archer ceased supplying gearboxes for Norton in the thirties, Norton started making the Dolls head. A very good box, still used in classic midget car racers. Handles the abuse of methanol burning Manx or J.A.P engines. Have one in my WD16H, works well. After the war, they modified it, mainly the exterior look. Called the Upright gearbox. Then came the Laydown gearbox. Sometimes in the second half of the fifties it was reshaped as the AMC box, in order to give AJS and Matchless a decent gearbox. It was cheaper to manufacture too.
On second thought, I'll say that the laydown gearbox is perfectly goodlooking on your bike.
 
Hi all,

Looking forward to owning my first cammy Norton. While I have mostly deep P11, Featherbed and Commando experience with the exception of one 1950 ES2, it's high time I learned the in's and outs of the famous Manx motors. I picked this one up at the recent Mecum collector motorcycle auction in Las Vegas May 1st. Quite an amazing story as it seems fated to have found me as its new custodian.
 

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