1955 Norton ES2, 499 cc project. Registration number VUM 791...

Hammer

£2,400

1955 Norton ES2, 499 cc project. Registration number VUM 791. Frame number 57118 (see text). Engine number K4 63859.
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. The ES2 was built in several versions during a production run lasting until 1963, though the engine dimensions of 79 x 100mm bore/stroke - first adopted by James Landsdowne Norton in 1911 - remained unchanged to the end. Post-war developments included the adoption of an alloy cylinder head (1955), alternator (1959) and the slim-line version of the Featherbed frame introduced on the single-cylinder range for 1961. Production of all of Norton’s traditional singles ended in 1963, though the ‘ES2’ designation was later applied to a re-badged Matchless.
VUM was found at the back of Hull racer Mike Browns shed with a seized engine or gearbox. It appears have been raced at some point with minor alteration the the rear seat mounts and a headlamp mounted number plate.
Sold with the V5C and a VE60 in Mikes name from c.1973. Please note both of these documents state the frame number to be K4 63859, the frame number being under the tank which presumably was not removed to check.