1953 Manx Norton, 500 cc. Registration number 751 UYK (non t...

Estimate

£22,000 - £26,000

1953 Manx Norton, 500 cc. Registration number 751 UYK (non transferrable). Frame number H10M2 50695. Engine number none found. Gearbox GB8 433.
Dubbed 'Manx Grand Prix' in 1939, what would become the best-known racing motorcycle of all time had become simply 'Manx' when production resumed in 1946, though only the presence of Roadholder telescopic front forks distinguished the post-war bike from the '39 version. The first significant change in engine specification occurred in 1949 when a works-type double-overhead-camshaft cylinder head was adopted, but in 1950 the innovative Featherbed frame was developed, giving the Manx a significant competitive advantage through a low centre of gravity and short wheelbase that was perfectly suited the challenging island TT course. The all-welded, tubular featherbed frame was light and trim, without the usual forgings that added unnecessary weight. In 1950, the featherbed Manx recorded a double hat-trick of podium positions at the TT. The Manx engine was redesigned in 1953 with a much shorter stroke of 86.0 mm × 85.6 mm to improve the rev range.
The major 1954 upgrade to the Manx was to have been an engine with the cylinder mounted horizontally to give a much lower centre of gravity - along the lines of the Moto Guzzi and Benelli racers. However, a decline in sales in the mid 1950's prompted a number of manufacturers to withdraw from GP racing in 1954, and Norton's did likewise.
As with all race machines official records are hard to find as officials did not record frame numbers, although some racers did keep records. The Norton Owners Club record state that 50695 was despatched from the factory on the 17th April 1953 with a 348 cc engine, hence the frame number 10M. It went to H F Brockbank or to give him his full name, Henry Fallows Brockbank who was a Southport Motor Cycle dealer. His racing career covered the period 1920 to 1934 and he had many successes both at the TT in the IOM and on Southport beach entering over 500 events. In 1924 his best year, he entered 100 events and won 87 of them, many on his native Southport sands. It was ordered for George Leigh, a garage owner in Southport who competed in the TT from 1946 until 1969 (Norton's until 1961). In 1953 he competed in both the 350 (35th) and 500 (R) classes. The following year he competed in the 350 class on a BSA (54th) and the 500 class (R) on a Norton.
Its history then goes cold until 2015 when Dr Fraser Pryde of Falkirk registered it for road use with the DVLA, by this time it had its current 498 cc engine fitted, the following year William Hutchinson of Falkirk had the gearbox fully rebuilt. Our vendor bought it in 2018 with the intention of undertaking a full concours restoration but decided that he would ruin its current patina.
In running order, it will be sold with the V5C, the Norton Owners Club certificate, copy of the Norton records, a GP 2 carb and paddock stand, although as with all old race motorcycles prospective buyers should satisfy themselves as to the originality of the machine.
With thanks to TTracepics.com from whom the image can be obtained (copyrighted).