Norton at the 1914 Isle of Man TT

This photo was taken on Ramsey Promenade during the 1914 TT races on the Isle of Man. From left to right: Dan O'Donovan, the Braid Brothers, James Norton and his father sitting inside the sidecar combination. The motorcycles would be TT Model 9's or 3 1/2 HP models while Pa Norton brought his Big Four. This is another pic of Ossie Braid on this very machine.

...same day, same people, except for James' father.

...and looking at the rider's number (59), this must be Dan at the 1914 TT.

1908 Model 3 1/2 HP Norton

By Martin

I have recently found another image of an early Norton in an album of early vehicle pictures from the state of Victoria, Australia.  I think this is one of the first Norton-engined 3 1/2 HP machines from circa 1908 but as ever, I stand to be corrected by others more knowledgeable than me! I suspect the background is a painted country scene rather than an actual outdoors view.

1910 Model 3 1/2 Norton

Sent by Andrew in Australia

This Norton is an original machine. It belonged to Eric Langton (brother of Oliver). It came out of South Australia about 40 years ago. It had corroded crankcases and Eric made a pattern and cast new ones but I have the original cases in my shed. I took these and lots more photos in the ally way behind the house where it is stored. I then took it home and fixed the magneto and rode it a few times. It went really well. I spent a far amount of time talking with Eric about pattern making and lots about riding for the Scott factory in the TT and then lots about world champianship speed way racing, all very interesting. I have just about finished a pattern for the cylinders for this machine if someone needs one.

c1910 Model 3 1/2 Norton

Joan from Barcelona sent these pics. I'm not sure about the year or model, perhaps one of the readers knows more about this motorcycle?

Howard: "As soon as I spotted this Norton I knew what it was, or to be precise what it is not. And it's not a Norton! Take a good look at the frame lugs.....its a lash-up. This bike is a replica built up by the late Bill Fruin. Bill has been dead for many years and this bike was sold at auction along with all of Bill's other bikes (many Nortons as well), and it sold for reasonable money so someone was taken in at the time. I cannot find my copy of Bill Fruin's auction catalogue but I am sure it is the same bike. I know it did the rounds for a while."

John from the UK: "I think this was a ‘fake’ stuck together by Bill Fruin and sold in the Auction of his machines in the 1980’s. I seem to remember Titch Allen covering it’s somewhat dubious history in the VMCC magazines at the time."

Simon: "Not sure if this is the Fruin fake or not - his fake was a 350cc machine not a 3 1/2 hp (ie 500cc) bike."

The Braid brothers in 1914

These are the Braid brothers during the 1914 TT on the Isle of Man.  The model numbering system has been in use since 1915, so while these motorcycles look like TT Model 9's they could be 3 1/2 HP models. Large boxes are fitted to the saddle tubes; are these oiltanks or toolboxes? The old Norton logo is still used.

Roger:"The Nortons have a two speed epicyclic gearbox on the end of the crankshaft. The lever changes between the two ratios without a clutch."

Ossie Braid on his Model 3 1/2 HP Norton

Howard sent this photograph of a gent on an early Norton. The logo on the tank identifies it as a machine built before 1915; the smooth appearance of the crankcase suggests that it dates from after 1912. Before 1915 the Norton models were listed by description and not using the familiar numbering scheme (e.g. Model 7, 8 or 9) and this would thus be a 3 1/2 HP belt drive model. Note the 'gearchange' lever on the tank that operated the Phillipson pulley on the crankshaft.

Howard: "I think it is a pre 1913 model. The "SP" registration number is from Fife, Scotland. No idea who the rider is....bought the photo on eBay. I notice an acetylene generator bolted up on the handlebars so the bike looks to have been on the road and then stripped down for racing. It has a Senspray carburetter fitted. Great looking machine....wish it was in my shed!"

Who can add to the description?

Roger: "The picture is of Ossie Braid on the machine that he rode in the 1914 TT. He was part of the O'Donovan works team and this picture is of the same machine as the gear change handle is taped up as in the 1914 TT pictures. He is in his racing leathers and helmet. I suspect that he used the machine on the road after the TT which is why it is fitted with an acetylene generator. The composition of the picture suggests that it was taken by a professional photographer when he returned home after the race which is why the background is blurred out. "

Stephen's 1910 Model 3 1/2 HP Norton

Stephen (from the Bracebridge Street Norton Register) sent a photo of his 1910 Model 3 1/2 HP Norton:

"This was a trip down to Brighton with a load of other veteran bikes on the Pioneer Run. It was not an easy ride as she is very high geared for speed and not for going through congested towns. A hundred year old Norton and still going strong, here is to the next hundred."

1912 3 1/2 HP Norton

One of the most famous Nortons ever, 'The Old Miracle'; again a brilliantly clear postcard contributed by Martin from the USA. As Martin remarked, little can be said about this bike that has not been said already. It's a 1912 3 1/2 HP model with a 500cc side valve engine and direct belt drive that secured some 112 speed records before the first World War with a top speed of over 80mph. Note the incorrect 'Curly N' logo on the tank.

Below a pictures of a similar 3 1/2 HP machine.