A superb and rare
photo of Geoff Duke and his Norton
factory racer photographed shortly after winning the 1951 Dutch TT race.
The original Norton
company was formed by James Lansdowne Norton (Known as Pa) in Birmingham in 1898. In 1902 Norton began building motorcycles with French and
Swiss engines. In 1907 a
Norton ridden by Rem Fowler won the twin-cylinder class in the first Isle of
Man TT race, beginning a sporting tradition that went on until the 1960s – The
Isle of Man Senior TT, the most prestigious of events, was won by Nortons ten
times between the wars and then every year from 1947 to 1954. The first Norton engines were made in 1908, beginning a line of
side-valve single cylinder engines which continued with few changes until the
late 1950s. In 1913 the business declined, R.T. Shelley & Co., the main
creditors, intervened and saved it. Norton Motors Ltd was formed shortly
afterwards under joint directorship of James
Norton and Bob Shelley.
J.L. Norton died in 1925 aged only 56, but he
saw his motorcycles win the Senior and sidecar TTs in 1924. Designed by Walter Moore,
the CamShaft One (CS1) engine appeared in 1927, based closely on the ES2
(pushrod) engine and using many of its parts. On his departure to NSU in 1930,
an entirely new OHC engine was designed by Arthur Carroll,
which was the basis for all later OHC and DOHC Norton singles. (Moore's move to
NSU prompted staff to claim that NSU stood for "Norton Spares Used")
That decade spawned the Norton racing
legend. Of the nine Isle of Man Senior TTs (500 cc) between 1931 and 1939 Norton won seven. Up to 1934, Norton
bought the excellent Sturmey
Archer gearboxes and clutches.
When Sturmey decided to discontinue production, Norton
bought the design rights, and had them made by Burman, a manufacturer of
proprietary gearboxes. Nortons also appealed to
ordinary motorcyclists who enjoyed the reliability and performance offered by
single-cylinder engines with separate gearboxes. The marque withdrew their
teams from racing in 1938, but between 1937 and 1945 nearly one quarter (Over
100,000) of all British military motorcycles were Nortons, basically the WD 16H (solo) and WD Big Four outfit (with driven
sidecar wheel).
We have more
photos listed on Ebay, also motorcycle (racing) photos! Check them out and use
the shipping discount! You can always contact us for any requests.
This is your rare
chance to own this non period photo
that reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycle and Norton ’s
history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 10"
(ca. 20 x 26 cm).
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.