Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
12th July, 2023 10:00
1953 Norton 500T
Estimate
£4, 500 - £5, 500
Registration No: NAS 219
Frame No: J3T 53526
Engine No: J3T 53526
CC: 500
MOT: Exempt
Nortons rare 500cc factory built trials model
Thought to be only 24 made in late 1953 for 1954 season
Supplied with workshop manuals and a current V5C
Norton was founded by James Lansdowne Norton in Birmingham in 1898 and began building motorcycles with French and Swiss engines in 1902. In 1907 a Norton with a Peugeot engine won the first Isle of Man TT race starting a long tradition of sporting excellence. More renowned for their exploits on the track, the 500T, introduced in 1949, was made for use in trials events and employed a modified 16H frame with reduced rear stays, a set of special fork yokes that brought the fork legs back to the steering column, a sump shield under the crankcases and Roadholder telescopic forks were employed fitted with a 7" front brake. The model quickly gained a loyal following and continued in production until September 1954 when it was dropped from the range.
This 1953 model, thought to be one of only 24 made for the 1954 season, was part of an enthusiast private collection of mainly British trials bikes and is offered in authentically restored condition. A good looking bike with its all alloy top engine and dolls head gearbox, it has not been run for a few years so will need some recommissioning before use. It comes supplied with a VMCC dating letter, some old MOTs, workshop manuals and a current V5C.
