1965 Norton Atlas Café Racer

Highlights

  • Period Café racer specification
  • Unused since full restoration
  • Alloy Fuel & Oil tanks
  • Front Disc brake
  • Clip on bars

The Appeal

A ’60s racer for the road, this magnificent Norton Café Racer is as epic to ride as it is to look at.

The Café Racer trend stems from the early to mid ’60s with riders wanting to achieve better handling and more speed from their production road bikes as well as improving the appearance of their steeds. Tuning parts were added to the engine, brakes upgraded, better tyres fitted, and the riding positions changed for a more streamlined racer stance using alloy racing tanks and racing single seats.
This Norton has been fully rebuilt & modified to an exceptional standard. and would be perfect for a trip to the local bike meet on a summers evening, a classic bike show, or just to ride along your favourite flowing country road.

This Café Racer is all ready to go out there and ride, it’s the one you’ve always wanted in the garage, so maybe now’s the time...

History & Paperwork

  • V5c registration document
  • File of invoices for parts & work carried out over the restoration
  • Restoration carried out over 15 years by the previous owner
  • Last Mot’d in 2012 but now exempt along with Road Tax
  • From a small private collection 

Exterior

  • New swept back exhausts & reverse cone megaphones
  • Only 6 miles indicated on the odometer
  • Painted alloy racing fuel tank in iconic Norton colour
  • Single race seat
Everything on this Norton has either been replaced or restored to a fabulous standard. The racing fuel tank has been professionally painted, is held in place by a polished alloy top strap & combined with the racing seat, gives an overall look of a ’60 Manx Norton race bike. 

Everything which can be polished has been, and the remaining fittings are either chromed or replaced with stainless steel, giving overall an exceptional finish.

The frame and swinging arm have been refinished in black along with the front and rear mudguards. The wheels have recently been re-built with alloy rims and fitted with stainless steel spokes. The overall finish is one of quality, the builder and current owner having used the correct parts to achieve what in their mind is a period '60s café racer.

Mechanics

  • Disc brake conversion
  • Engine fully rebuilt
  • Electronic ignition
  • Primary belt drive 
Well, nothing has been held back here on the engine and gearbox front. They’ve been stripped down, externally blasted to remove any grime, then been fully rebuilt with new bearings and shims throughout with all other parts being checked and replaced if needed.

The primary drive chain has been upgraded to belt drive which gives a much smoother uptake when the clutch is released, overall giving the clutch and whole drive train an easier time. The vendor informs us that there are no oil leaks, which on these old British bikes is testament to the skills of the builder. A vented polished alloy primary drive cover has then been fitted.

Recent work has included the fitment of Boyer Bransden electronic ignition in place of the original magneto, helping to supply more reliable ignition sparks to the engine. Two new Amal Monobloc carburettors sit behind the engine metering out fuel and braking is via a Grimica front disc caliper, mated to what we believe is a Norton Commando disc front hub & standard Atlas drum rear.

Summary

Here we have a very well-built Norton Café Racer which is ready to ride. It’s got the alloy tanks, the rear set footrests & the swept back pipes that give it the much admired and sought after ‘60s Café Racer looks. It’s all been done for you and very well executed, so should give many years of reliable riding pleasure to its new owner. 

The owner describes this as a 'rare and exceptional machine' and we think that you'll struggle to find another equivalent condition.

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Vehicle specification
  • Year 1965
  • Make Norton
  • Model Atlas
  • Colour Black and White
  • Odometer 6 Miles
  • Engine size 750
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Great Heck
  • Location Yorkshire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
36 bids
  • fe•••• £10,750 16/08/22
  • le•••• £10,500 16/08/22
  • fe•••• £10,250 16/08/22
  • le•••• £10,000 16/08/22
  • ne•••• £9,900 16/08/22
  • fe•••• £9,700 16/08/22
  • ne•••• £9,500 16/08/22
  • fe•••• £9,300 16/08/22
  • ne•••• £9,100 16/08/22
  • Li•••• £8,900 16/08/22
Message C&C Auction Team

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