Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1928 Norton CS1
No Reserve - Just two owners since 1968
Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: 30855
MOT: Exempt
Supplied new to Australia and believed to have had only three owners from new
Single ownership from 1968 to 2003 and 2003 to the present
Restored to an exceptional standard during 2002 and 2003
Part of an important private collection
The arrival of the CS1 (Camshaft Model 1) marked a new era for racing Nortons. Designed by Walter Moore through the winter of 1926 and ’27, it was the first overhead-cam Norton to go into full-scale production and one of the first with a saddle tank. It featured three speeds, a Lucas racing magneto, Webb forks, and 8in. front and rear brakes. It was a runaway success at the 1927 Senior TT, when Alec Bennett set a record time at 68. 41mph, and it was later announced as a production model for 1928 and £89.
This machine was supplied new to Australia. Engine 39962 was fitted to frame 32595, with gearbox 138621 (still fitted), and sent Down Under through the London export house Tozer, Kemsley & Millbourn. This bike was previously recorded as frame number 32010, which was exported at a time when the majority of Norton’s exports went to Australia and New Zealand, but the only marking on the frame is 30855. It has been speculated that it may have been an ES2 frame later fitted with a CS1 engine (ES2 and CS1 frames were then identical).
It is thought the first owner was Leslie Harold Lance, an “enthusiastic” owner who sold it in January, 1968, to Stuart Campbell. He was only selling for health reasons as, sadly, he died the next month aged 65. Campbell enjoyed the machine on many vintage club rides, before having it comprehensively restored during 2002 and 2003. The engine was overhauled by a CS1 specialist, the magneto was renovated, the frame and mudguards were bead-blasted and sprayed, the fuel tank was cleaned internally and repainted, new girder forks were purchased from England, new fork spindles were made and the brakes fully refurbished. A new saddle and knee pads, and a new chromed exhaust and fishtail, were fitted. It some point in its life, an Amal carburettor replaced the original Binks.
Having reached the age of 87, Campbell sold the Norton through auction in October, 2003, to the present owner, a discriminating collector of historic bikes, who transported it first to Dubai, and then to Britain in 2008. Although never British-registered, it passed an M. O. T. in 2011. Import charges may still apply and the Norton will need recommissioning before it is run. The history file includes correspondence with Stuart Campbell and vintage Norton historian Simon Grigson, plus copies of period literature.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
