Highlights

Revered Norvin Rapide marrying Norton frame and Vincent engine
High quality restoration with just 0.2 miles since completion
Renovated with authentic period components
Currently decommissioned for static display
Suitable for collection display or recommissioning

The Appeal

In the post-war years, Britain’s bike makers were generally very good at one thing, but rarely everything. Hence the creation of cafe racers like the Triton, which married the good bits from different firms. In 1954, John Surtees, desperate to beat the Gilera 500s on track, took the idea and pushed it to its limits, marrying a Norton Manx racing frame with a Vincent Black Lightning racing engine.

Surtees soon joined the Norton works team and he never took his hybrid idea further. Instead, backstreet customisers took up the task of continuing what he started. The resulting Norvin was extremely hard to build, because of the tight fit between engine and frame, which made them expensive, but utterly, utterly brilliant. Tritons are good, but the Norvin is in a different league.

These are rare bikes, and this 1958 example is likely one of the very best available. It has been extensively restored with original parts and has seen little use since. It has been decommissioned as part of a static collection in recent years. The buyer could continue this or recommission it for the road. An extremely good example of a highly collectable bike.

Key Information

Mileage: 0 indicated (likely figure since restoration)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT exempt
Technical specs: 998cc Vincent V-twin petrol engine, four-speed manual gearbox
Paperwork: no specific documentation mentioned by the vendor

The Detail

The vendor states it has been returned to its original specification
Comprehensively restored to a high standard
Norton rigid frame finished in silver with red and black decals
Norvin HRD decal references Vincent’s early name
Not currently in running order as decommissioned for display
Bright chromework in barely used condition with well kept fittings

BEFORE YOU BUY

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