Highlights

One of only eight Model 40s made to Clubman’s TT specification in 1952
Raced when new by Harry Walmsley in the 1952 and 1953 Isle of Man Clubman’s Junior TTs
Preserved in very original condition following a photographically-documented mechanical restoration
Matching numbers

The Appeal

What motorcycle enthusiast wouldn’t want to own one of the all-time great racing motorcycles?

The Norton International is just such a bike. Built from 1931 to 1957 in 500cc Model 30 and 350cc Model 40 guises, the two models allowed it to compete in both the Senior and Junior TT races. Norton won the Senior TT every year from 1931 to 1938, excluding 1935, and the Junior TT every year from 1931 to 1937.
On many occasions, the Norton team achieved 1-2-3 victories, with Scottish ace Jimmie Guthrie its star rider.

After the war, the International resumed production but was demoted slightly.

Its place as an out-and-out competition machine was taken by the famous Manx Norton, and it assumed the rôle of a Clubman’s sports bike, placing it in the same category as the BSA Gold Star and the later Velocette Venom; in other words, it ranked among the fastest and most desirable road bikes of its day, and many were still raced.

While not every International raced, this one did. It was supplied new to Harry Walmsley who competed in the 1952 and 1953 Isle of Man Clubman’s Junior TT.
Only a very small handful of Internationals were built by the Norton works for the ’52 TT (eight Model 40s and 11 Model 30s), so this an extremely rare survivor, especially since some of its early race history is known.

Not only that, but it’s also been restored very sympathetically, with much of its original finish preserved.

It’s not often one gets the opportunity to buy a genuine survivor from the golden age of motorcycle TT racing, and especially not one as original as this Norton.

This is a unique opportunity to acquire a wonderful, historic bike.

The History and Paperwork

Built on 22nd May 1952
Being a TT-specification bike, the Norton works had it tested by grass-track and former Brooklands racer Alf Ellis
Despatched to dealer S. M. Miller of Wigan and first owned by racer Harry Walmsley of Preston
Walmsley first raced in the Isle of Man Clubman’s Junior TT in 1949, when he finished 38th on a Velocette
The ‘Inter’ was raced by Walmsley in the 1952 Clubman’s Junior TT, finishing 37th with an average speed of 72.4mph, behind winner Eric Houseley on a BSA
Walmsley’s third and final TT was in 1953 with a Norton, almost certainly the same bike, on which he finished 48th
The Norton continued to be raced until around 1960
Known to have been ridden at the 2008 Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park
Sold to the present owner in 2011 and exported to Italy
Mechanically restored by Thomas Fritsche in Austria
Sadly, the vendor is having to sell his collection as he has had to give up riding
The bike’s 1959 buff logbook survives along with a period photograph of Walmsley mounted on it
Paperwork includes all the relevant Italian documents, some owner’s literature, and a 1989 letter from the Norton Owners’ Club detailing some of its early history

The Condition

Original paint on fuel tank and frame preserved
Repainted mudguards
Original Dunlop wheel rims
Unusual Dunlop Drilastic seat

It’s an unavoidable fact that racing machinery tends to have a shorter natural lifespan than vehicles which lead more sedate lives on the road.

By the time a motorcycle has been raced so much, accrued a collection of oily marks and paint chips and worn out a load of parts, its owner might reasonably decide it’s time for a full restoration.

Happily, this International bucks that trend.

Cosmetically, it has lasted through the years in excellent original condition, acquiring only a very light patina, so that, when the time came for restoration, its original finish was left untouched with the exception of the mudguards, which have been repainted.

The result, as may be seen, is fabulous. The paint on the frame and on the fuel and oil tanks is believed to be entirely original, hence it is now blessed with a beautiful patina, although it all remains largely intact with only a few minor chips and marks.

Seventy-year-old TT racers still in their original paint are like hen’s teeth, so we’d keep this and cherish it just as it is.

All the brightwork is in good condition, again with a lot patina, which extends to the original Dunlop wheel rims. The tyres are largely quite good, but do have some cracks in the sidewall.

The rear seat and chest pad are in such good condition that we think it is likely they have been recovered, but the main seat is an interesting and unusual Dunlop Drilastic item made from a synthetic rubber composite, which also happens to be in very good order.

The Mechanics

Engine specially built to TT racing specification
Mechanically restored by a specialist within the last 10 years
Fires up and runs just as it should do

As we said, racing a motorcycle can take its toll, and that’s especially true for all the mechanical parts which experience the most stress.

This Norton was obviously well-equipped for racing, though, with features of its Clubman’s TT specification including a special TT carburettor and an aluminium cylinder head.

While we don’t know what work this has received historically, it was being raced regularly until around 1960 and is known to have made an on-track appearance as recently as 2008, so it’s likely it has received a mechanical work on several occasions over its life.

Whatever the situation may have been when he bought it, the vendor deemed that it was time it had a thorough mechanical restoration, which was undertaken by Norton International specialist Thomas Fritsche in Zell am See, Austria.

The work included an engine, gearbox, magneto and dynamo overhaul, in addition to which a new clutch has been fitted. Since the restoration, it has only covered 2400 miles.

The result is that the Inter now appears in fine mechanical fettle. The vendor tells us that the engine is in very good condition and everything works entirely as it ought to, with excellent acceleration and good braking for a bike of its age, plus a very obliging gearbox.

We are assured that the engine does not smoke or drip fluids and that there are no suspicious noises. Instead, one can just enjoy the magnificent rumble from the megaphone silencer. All Norton Internationals would lose some oil from their external valve seals - the faster the engine is spinning, the more lubricated the valves are, resulting in minor oil drips. Furthermore, a bit of oil loss from the main chain was normal on bikes of that era.

The buyer will have some freedom to choose exactly how they wish to use the bike, as it is being sold with a replacement exhaust manifold for use without a silencer, as well as a quieter touring silencer. The sale also includes a spare horn.

We understand it has always passed its Italian roadworthiness inspections, and it is not due for another one until 2024.

Summary

For sale here is a beautiful, extremely rare and splendidly original TT Norton with a genuine early race history, and things don’t get much better than that.

Known to have raced in two Isle of Man Clubman’s Junior TTs plus a number of smaller events up to around 1960, it is extremely fortunate that it has survived to the present day with most of its original paint and a beautiful patina.

Following a recent mechanical restoration by a Norton International specialist, it is now in excellent running order.

While it would be marvellous if it raced again, you may be of the mind that it’s too historic to risk in competition, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be shown and demonstrated.

What you do is your choice – all we can say is that this is a bike you should be immensely proud of, and it will easily be the star exhibit in any collection.

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