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• Auction House:
  Webb's
• Sale Name:
  Warbirds & Wheels
• Sale Date:
  30 Mar 2014 ~ 1pm (NZ time)
• Lot #:
  26
• Lot Description:
  1902 Norton
• Notes:
  Despite some early landmarks in its development, Norton Motorcycles lacks a rigid pedigree that can be traced back to a single idea or machine. Instead, the company evolved at a time when bicycle manufacture naturally blended with fledging petroleum-based technologies. It should also be remembered that, at the turn of the century, much of the activity was experimental with one-offs being created by hand. Very little information is actually known about the exact specifications of this period of machine. However, what is known suggests that Norton’s first foray into powered bicycles involved collaboration with Charles R Garard, who imported Clement clip-on engines from Flanders to install in bicycle frames to sell as Clement-Garards. James Norton was known to have an arrangement with Garard to assemble and service these popular Clement-Garard machines. In July 1902, they were still advertising themselves as the ‘Garard Company’s Expert’. However, later that year they placed a small advert in Motor Cycling magazine announcing their Energette incorporating the Clement-Garard ‘improved’ motor. It is generally accepted that the Norton machine was very similar to the Clement-Garard and, essentially, many other machines of the day except that it had a longer wheelbase, a design feature much favoured by Pa Norton in his later machines and which gave rise to the nickname ‘ferrets’. It is unlikely that many of these machines were created and those that were would have been custom built to the customers’ specifications. Of those that are known, one exists in the Sammy Miller Museum, another is known to exist in Holland and one other at the London Motorcycle Museum. All are subtly different; however, each sports the long frame which, for many, defines the transition from motorised bicycle to the motorcycle proper. The machine’s recent history starts in 1945 when Russell Miell saw the bike while collecting scrap metal for the war effort; it was hanging in the roof of a workshop in Kingsland. Some 15 years later, the machine came to Russell in return for a good deed. As Russell undertook the task of bringing the machine back, he found the word ‘Norton’ stamped in small characters on the pedal crank casing. The chassis number 289 was located also. Although the machine was basically complete when first obtained, Mr Miell had to remake some parts such as the fork stem and the extra control levers, using the two bronze examples that were with the bike as patterns. The original tyres, which were still on the machine when restoration began, were white beaded-edge rubber that could not be replaced so 26”x2”x1 3/4” tyres on modern rims are presented. The behind-seat petrol tank is marked ‘Essence’, which betrays its French origin, and was originally nickel plated like many other parts of the bike including the cylinder barrels. The 198cc Clement was widely considered the best clip-on motor of its day incorporating an overhead exhaust valve and an automatic inlet valve which was sucked open allowing the fresh fuel mixture to be vacuumed into the cylinder from the spray carburettor as the piston fell on its idle stroke. The complexity of the machine should not be underestimated either. With four levers required to control the performance of the engine – air, spark, fuel and timing – the pilot of the day required a certain amount of intrepid concentration. A number of articles have been written on this landmark machine which marks the beginning of one of the most successful and notorious motorcycle marques of the 20th century – Norton. It should also be said that some discussion remains about the actual configuration of this machine and its relationship to the Clement-Garard machines that were being supported by Norton during the same period. What is certain is that, by late 1903, Norton was using mostly Peugeot (www.cybermotorcycle.com/ euro/wikig/Peugeot.html) engines and, by 1905, Clement-Garard had ceased production. Norton’s intimate and early association with Clement- Garard is obvious in the overall design and quality of the construction and, in many senses, the machine is both a Norton and a Clements-Garard; it is this that makes the birth of the veteran era so fascinating.
• Estimate:
  NZ$125,000 - 175,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.