c1924 Model 18 Norton

A c1924 Model 18 Norton; with a few extra bits and pieces fitted that may have to do with the electric lights? Martin: "The ER numbers were first issued by Cambridgeshire in July 1922, and finished in September 1928 when the VE series started." Simon: "Note the usual Best and Lloyd oil pump but the outlet from it does not go to a Y-piece for dripping onto both inlet and exhaust cams - as later - but just goes to a single union above the exhaust cam..."

1930 Model 18 Norton

A Dutch registration and a very Dutch scenery. The registrations ("H") are from the Amsterdam area ("Zuid-Holland"). The Norton is a 1930 Model 18.

Simon: "What a good photo - interesting to note the tank lining, cast alloy magneto shield and cast alloy primary chain cover. Difficult to see if the latter is two piece (as in '29) or only one piece like Patrick's bike. I had one of the cast alloy magneto covers when I first bought my Model 18 in 1956. The securing bolts fell out as I was riding along the road one day, the cover fell into the road and was promptly squashed by a following truck into a myriad of irreparable pieces.............."

1926 Model 18 Norton

A nice shot of a circa 1926 Model 18.

Al's 1934 Model 18 Norton

Sent by Al in the UK

"This is my 1934 Norton Model 18 - this was professionally restored a few years ago, I use it regularly and it has proved to be 100% reliable, I have all document going back to the first owner."

Early OHV heads

A discussion spurred by pictures of a Model 18 Ron is selling; it's a 1928 model but clearly has an earlier cylinder head. The fins 'on top' are higher near the exhaust. The fins on later heads are all the same hight. Also check this entry.

Simon:"The good thing about this particular 1923 head (above; not a very good picture!) is that it still appears to have its original valves and springs - see the drawing (below).  Note that the valve sizes agree with recorded history that the early OHV engines had a larger exhaust than inlet valve.  I guess it's a bit 'anorak' to record this sort of stuff but it's not written down anywhere else as far as I know"

"Regarding valve springs.......I don't propose to go into detail about the various valve spring retainers as there are bound to be chaps who pop up and say theirs are different in some way or another! However it seems to me that MOST of the '26 to '28 OHV engines were fitted with retainers which take the following springs:

Outer - length 2.125 outer dia. 1.490 inner dia. 1.170 wire dia. 0.160 number of coils 7

Inner - length 1.845 outer dia. 0.950 inner dia. 0.740 wire dia. 0.105 number of coils 7

Peter Roydhouse made the comment to me a while back that Norton springs were unduly strong and he suggested using springs from post war 350 engines BUT the diameter of these may be too great for use on the open pushrod engines and one would have to change the valve spring retainers. Might be better to get the spring maker to use a slightly lighter gauge wire to reduce poundage although he would need to stick to the internal diameters given."

1928 Model 18 Norton - For sale

For sale at Ron's; not a bargain! Contact Ron directly, the Norton is not on his website.

Grandfather's c1923 Model 18 Norton

Sent by Al in the UK.

"This shot is of my grandfather (who was a great Norton fan who used to visit Brookland regularly pre war) and my grandmother on his Model 18 at Hayling Island, Hampshire sometime in the late 1920's. I wonder if PC 3978 is still around. (JdK: PC 3978 was issued from July 1921 to July 1923 by Surrey C.C. (currently Guildford). It probably is a 1923 model then. Quite sporty, note the narrow mudguards, open primary chaincase and open exhaust). I've been trying to get hold of a flat tank Model 18 for ages similar to his! I'm looking for a flat tank Model 18 - project / box of bits, or what have you ? I have a 1923 Sunbeam 500 sv Sports TT short stroke flat tanker, 100% original for possible exchange; the bike is MOT's and taxed with a rebuilt engine. (below)"

Anyone interested in a swap can contact John

1925 Model 18 - For sale

It's that 1925 M18 again... For sale via this link; asking price 19.500 euro.

Jeff's 1927 Model 18 Norton

Sent by Jeff is Australia

"Here are some pics of my Norton. As you can see, it's incomplete at this stage."

1923 Model 18 cylinder head - For sale

Chance to buy a rare very early OHV Norton cylinder head dating from October 1923 (stamped 23/10).  This head has had valve seat inserts fitted at some stage in its long life, and has regrettably sufferd a fair amount of fin damage which will need to be repaired, but the head (including the threads on both inlet and exhaust ports) is basically in sound condition. On Ebay motors, item 260773524448. See this blog entry for the difference between early- and later M18 heads.

1928 Model 18 Norton

Sold at Bonhams

1928 Norton 490cc Model 18. Registration no. VW 4704. Frame no. 29074. Engine no. 36093. This matching-numbers Model 18 was sent to a dealer in Leytonstone on 18th November 1927 and sold new to a Mr Cox of Chigwell. Sold for £16,100 on the 24th of april 2011.

c1924 Model 18 Norton

This picture shows mr Karel van Berlage and his Model 18 Norton at the very first Dutch TT held in 1925. Fifteen motorcycles competed in the 500cc class, six of which were Nortons. The race was won by Piet van Wijngaarden on his 1925 Model 18.

Karel's Norton looks a bit outdated compared to Piet's Model 18; is it a 1924 model?

1929 Model 18 Norton

This Norton is advertised on the internet on a website that specializes in Harley Davidsons, perhaps in Greece. It's described as a 1922 model but the frame looks 1929-1930 to me, the engine a bit older while forks and front wheel are WD16H. It looks awful but it could be rescued I guess.

1927 rear carrier

Sent  by Albert

Attached a drawing of the 1927 Norton Model 18 carrier. It may be useful to someone who is missing this this item. The measurements are off an original 1927 one.

1929 Model 18 Norton

Sent by Roger

This 1929 Model 18 is owned by one of the volunteers at Brooklands and he has brought it to the museum so that its restoration can finally be completed.  I am not sure of its history except that it was owned by the present owner's father for at least 50 years.

1925 Model 18 Norton

Sent by Peter in Canada

This lady on board the 1925 Model 18 Norton is my late mother in law (who was born 100 years ago, on the 17th of January). The name of the dog is not known but it looks like a real ankle biter to me! We still can't figure out exactly when the pics were taken but suspect that it was the early 1930s.

This picture shows Peter's late father in law on the Model 18. The Norton may have been a few years old when the pictures were taken. Electric lights and racy rear mudguard stays had been fitted, the front stand has been removed and what happened to the rear stand? Note the clip on his trouser's legs.

1929 Model 18 Norton

This tasty Model 18 was recently sold by Verralls. The plate would have been issued by London C.C. (currently London Central), in May or June 1929.

1927 Model 18 Norton

This Norton is for sale at British Only Austria; perhaps not 100% original but the essential bits and pieces seem to be all there and look correct; overall the bike looks good to me.

Colin's 1931 Model 18 Norton

Colin in the UK sent me these pics of his '31 Model 18; note the left-hand exhaust, Enfield rear hub and Sturmey Archer four speed gearbox.

In addition he sent a few photos (below) of a c1931 four speed positive stop mechanism that he picked up recently. Does anyone recognize the part? Is it a fitment to a vintage Sturmey Archer gearbox? Please let us know, Colin would like to fit it to his Norton. See this blog entry for more info.

My 1929 Model 18 Norton

I've owned this Norton for a few years now; it's not an original bike but it's interesting as the engine seems to have been tuned professionally. The ever attentive Simon found a picture in a 1970s BMS publication of a Norton that looks remarkably similar; it must be the same bike. So now we've found out that the previous owners were a mr Paul Sturgess, a mr Peter Kingsley, mr Eric Patterson, mr Mark Upham and then me ... that's since the 1970s and the list most probably is not complete! Does anyone else recognize the Model 18 or the people in the black and white pics ... and who did the tuning?