Martin's 1920 16H Norton

From Martin in the UK:

"Attached are some pics of my 1920 16H. This is a very original machine. I bought it to rob it of the genuine original belt drive tank that was fitted, as it was clearly not correct for the machine. Now it has a nice replica tank with a Best and Lloyd semi-automatic oilpump and the original belt drive tank is soon to be adorning my belt driver... It goes rather well for such an early machine and makes one understand how they nearly scooped the pool in the 1920 Senior TT. Its such a lively performer, and so easy to ride but does have very delicate steering, so light it wanders if you try and grip the bars too tightly but is fine if you just let it find its own way.

We had a VMCC vintage training day at the Grampian Transport Museum at Alford near Aberdeen in the north of Scotland last weekend. I took the 16H and it was ridden by maybe thirty people keen to experience the thrills of riding a hand change, lever throttle early machine through the arrangements made by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. The bike ran faultlessly all day despite the many different riders and the unexpected heat of the day, and was judged one of the most desirable bike present by most riders I spoke to."

Grandfather's c1926 Model 18 Norton

An email from Paul in Australia:

"I have a soft spot for Nortons. My grandfather had several in his collection including a Manx that raced at the IoM in the late 40's. His collection was sold of after he passed away and I lost track of where the bikes ended up. Recently I came across the attached photo of him in what I believe to be the 1920s on a bike he rode to the Victoria/New South Wales border here in Australia. I was hoping you may be able to identify the bike for me? Kind Regards, Paul"

JdK: This is a mid-1920s Model 18 equipped with a later set of electric lights. The rear carrier disappeared and someone fitted flat mudguard stays. Not sure what the bulge is that I see behind the carburetter. He lost a rubber knee grip. Great photo!

Simon: "I think it is a 1926 Model 18 (or even 1927 if that is a wing nut type adjuster on the fork damper - not too clear) - the rockers are the arched type first used on the 1925 Works bikes and pretty well standard from the end of  '25 through to end '29. None the less, they could have been changed along the way for the later type though it means changing the pushrods and push rod return springs as well."

Roger:  "There are some indications that the picture was taken much later than in the 1920s as the machine is in a well worn state and the pork pie rear lamp is more mid 30s. The manual oil pump feed does not appear to be connected to the crankcase but there is a feed from the bottom of the tank with a tap. The gear change lever has been shortened like the one on LPD1 so that it can be operated by foot. The rear stand has been changed and is no longer held up by the over centre spring. The electric lights would need either a generator or a battery so that is probably what is sitting behind the carburettor. I don't think that the kneepad is missing, I think another one has been placed on top of it."

Rob's 1928 Model 18 Norton

Rob's 1928 Model 18; he plans to refit the original mudguards and build a new rear carrier. Rob restored it in a cellar many years ago, and has used and abused it ever since (he rides it on the fast lane of the motorway). It never let him down. Note that the engine already has the 1929-type of lubrication, without the external oilpipes on the timing chest.