Two Nortons have recently arrived at the Museum, freshly restored. Both are 490cc (79 x 100mm) Model 18 ohv singles, one dating from 1929 and the other from 1946.
Norton’s first overhead valve machine, the Model 18 was launched in 1923 and rapidly gained a reputation for speed and reliability. The factory racing team fielded near-standard 18s, which won several major events in 1924, including the Senior TT, Belgian GP and Senior Amateur TT. By 1929, the ohc CS1 had taken over as Norton’s ultimate speed machine but the Model 18 still made a first-class roadster. In 1931 the engine was modernised by placing the Lucas Magdyno unit behind the cylinder. In 1946 the Model 18 re-appeared as one of Norton’s first postwar products, now with a cradle frame developed in racing. Roadholder telescopic forks were fitted for 1947 and the venerable Model 18 remained catalogued until finally being pensioned off in 1954. The Museum’s late founder Roy Richards had a special affection for the 1946 Model 18, as it was the first motorcycle he owned after leaving the Army. This example was restored by Keith Manning after being badly burned in the 2003 Museum fire, while the 1929 machine was restored in-house.
