Description
This is Lot 378 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale on the 26 & 27 April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available 26 April from 09:00 until 17:00 and 27 April from 09:00 until 17:00, at The International Classic Motorcycle Show, Stafford.
Lot 378
c. 1968 Norton 650cc Café Racer
Registration no. SVO 61G
Chassis no.
Popular from the 1950s onwards, the 'café racer' is the quintessentially British custom style. Modified with increased performance in mind by their owners, these personalised machines took their name from the trend for youthful motorcyclists to race from popular cafés to the nearest roundabout and back again, the Ace Café on London's North Circular Road being one of the most famous venues. The café racers aped genuine racing machinery, typically boasting clip-on handlebars, rear-set footrests, 'racing' seats, straight-through exhausts, etc, etc. They remain immensely popular today.
The Norton café racer 'special' offered here incorporates the slimline Featherbed frame from a single-cylinder Model 50 and a 650cc engine. The machine was won as a prize in an online competition in January of this year. Nothing is known of its previous history. Notable features include flanged alloy wheel rims; alloy mudguards; racing seat; twin-leading-shoe front brake; twin Smiths chronometric instruments; and BSA Gold Star-type silencers. The machine is offered with a V5C document. Its mechanical specification and condition are not known and so it is sold strictly as viewed.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams website for all pertinent auction information.
