Never miss an auction
Never miss an auction
£7,000 - £8,000
1948 Norton ES2, 490 cc. Registration number GBM 240. Frame number (by seat N4 13081 by headstock 14662). Engine C4 14207.
Introduced at the 1927 Motor Cycle Show, the ES2 sports roadster used the Model 18's overhead-valve engine in the cradle frame of the overhead-camshaft CS1 and from then onwards, the 'ES2' designation was always applied to Norton's top-of-the-range, overhead-valve single. Although originally launched as a sports motorcycle, throughout its long life it was gradually overtaken by more powerful models. It remained popular due to its reliability and ease of maintenance as well as the traditional design. From 1947, the ES2 had an innovative hydraulically damped telescopic front fork and race developed rear plunger suspension. From 1953 it had a single downtube swinging-arm frame and was up-rated to the Rex McCandless Featherbed frame in 1959 featuring an improved AMC gearbox, revised cylinder head, crankshaft-mounted Lucas RM15 60-watt alternator with coil ignition and an eight inch front brake with full width hubs. The wideline Featherbed-framed bike was road tested by The Motor Cycle on June 4, 1959 and found to have a mean top speed of 82mph with petrol consumption of 56mpg at 60mph.
GBM was first registered on the 2nd April 1948 to John Addison of Charing in Kent, it was taxed until 1964. Nothing more is known of it until 2000 when Robert Mayers of Beckermet bought it as a restoration project (see photo on file); at this time the MOT certificate stated the mileage to be 47, 020 and the frame to be C4 14207. He restored it to it current condition and our vendor bought it in 2006, little used since, the mileage is only 47,706 at present, it has nicely mellowed with age.
Sold with the V5C, R.F. 60, 2004 MOT, and photograph. Buyers should satisfy themselves over the frame number discrepancy.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
20% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
23.6% inc VAT*
