-SG- My attention was today drawn to the upcoming Bonhams Auction 29273 and to Lot 87. This is an incomplete 1929 Model 18, none the less with matching numbers.  It is missing tanks, mudguards, wheels, clutch and carb. Anyone wanting to embark on the Vintage Norton trail might  be interested ..read more

  -SG- Thanks to Alan for his message below and photos ! "Congratulations to Terry for his ‘Runner Up’ award in the face of some stiff competition in the ‘Best Vintage Machine’ class at the recent Bristol Classic Show. Terry acquired the bike as a stalled rebuild project only some six months ago and in rapid time has turned a frame with an engine, gearbox and forks installed into a very presentable and complete machine, as per the pictures attached. The bike originally rolled out of the factory in 1924 as one of the  early OHV Model 18’s. Little is known of its pre 2000 history a ..read more

  -SG- David plus Model 9 attended the recent Sunbeam Club gathering at Brooklands. Thanks to him for recent photos of the bike and a few words about it! "Unrestored 1920 Model 9 TT believed to have been exported to Western Australia early in its life, returning to UK in 1977. Fitted with a Phillipson pulley with a handlebar operated brake which gives more control than the automatic action of the clock type spring in the central drum. Ratio is normally set at 4 1⁄2 to 1 (O' Donovan recommendation) with a lowest available of about 5 1⁄2. Machine is light and powerful so will climb ..read more

  -SG- The Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club was formed in 1924 and to celebrate its centenary an event was held at Brooklands on 17th March. This was well attended with nearly three hundred participants, virtually all with pre-war machines. I was slightly entertained to see the  illustration on the programme cover - none other than Noel Pope at the track on one of Beart's NORTONS, dating I think from 1938 ..read more

-SG- John from the UK has recently sent me a couple of 1929 advert scans.  These are on a two page spread - must have been a bit of a drain on the advertising budget! He was pleased to see the Model 18 on the second page, as he has one himself - recent photo attached ..read more

  -SG- Thanks to Martin for this 1928 'Motor Cycle' article about riding single speed belt drivers! The author has only mentioned the magic word Norton once in his text but even without that it would be pretty clear that is what he is talking about. From a single speed Model 9 in about 1920 to his new OHC machine in 1928 ... re-learning old techniques on the one hand and the march of progress on the other ..read more

  -JdK- An email from Gary: "Hello there Simon and John. My 1926 tank looks original to me. What do you think. Got a surprise when I took the knee pad mounting plates off. Norton logo is different to some in that it has a little hook at top left on the N. The scroll along the top is well above the lower case letters and the t has a little leg to the right. The pie crust has been silver which I think makes it really stand out and the red pin stripes stop either side of the Norton logo. Looks to be the same logo as you have recently pointed out Simon but without the regd trade mark unde ..read more

  -SG- Wanted: Circa 1927 Norton engine/gearbox/chainstay frame casting for a 1927 Norton Flat tank project. Anything considered from the part or to a whole frame. Needs to be the type with the small uplift at the front with straight chainstays at the rear. Any condition WHY Beg, Buy, Borrow (so I can make a pattern and return) or exchange flattank/saddletank and post 1930 parts. Tel Robert 07712676534 or email r.collins255@btinternet.com ..read more

-SG- Back in May '22 we had a brief posting about Hector Dobbs and his 1925 win in the Amateur.  Included were a few words about his 1926 Amateur TT Norton - which seems to have been quite special - and I have recently managed to obtain a copy of a photo of it in action, before Dobbs came to grief in the poor weather.  This is attached - pity it was not taken from the other side - it would have been nice to know if it was a dry-sump machine ..read more

-SG- It was 1960 and I had already owned my 1930 Model 18 for all of four years. I took part in various Vintage Club competitions and decided to try my hand at grass track - the VMCC having organised such an event at Cassiobury Park, Watford.  Preparation consisted of fitting a used 'knobbly' rear tyre and riding over carefully as I had no fourwheeled transport at the time. As far as I recall the track was a dusty bumpy oval - bumpy to such an extent that the forks clashed onto the front mudguard several times per lap during practise and the handlebar clamps moved and clouted the tank t ..read more