2003 Ken McIntosh Manx Featherbed Dominator 500cc. Registrat...

Hammer

£4,300

2003 Ken McIntosh Manx Featherbed Dominator 500cc. Registration number not registered with DVLA. Frame number 07/03. Engine number 78514.

When production resumed post-war, Norton’s over-the-counter Manx racer emerged much as it had been in 1939, with single-overhead-camshaft engine, ‘square’ cylinder head finning, upright gearbox, and plunger-suspended ‘garden gate’ frame. Only the presence of the Roadholder telescopic front fork readily distinguished the new Manx from its immediate predecessor. 1949 brought the first significant change in engine specification, the Manx gaining a double-overhead-camshaft cylinder head like that enjoyed by the works bikes for many years, but the major development was the arrival of the Featherbed frame for 1951. Works rider Geoff Duke had debuted the Featherbed at Blandford in April 1950, crushing the opposition and setting a new lap record, and the McCandless-designed chassis would enable Norton to remain competitive with the more powerful multi-cylinder opposition for the next few seasons. Today the popularity of the Manx in classic racing remains undiminished, with original examples racing alongside replicas of differing specification produced by specialist manufacturers worldwide.

Made to exacting standards and to the same dimensions as the originals, a McIntosh Manx Featherbed replica would compliment any collection or classic race enthusiasts stable. This well raced McIntosh Dominator engined machine was used by East Yorkshire racer Mick Brown, the engine was originally in a genuine Manx frame which Mick purchased from Dick Helm, but sold the frame in the late 70’s. Fast forward into the naughties and with redundancy money, Mick was able to purchase a Ken McIntosh Manx Featherbed to once again hold the Dominator engine. Unfortunately, paperwork has been lost as to the purchase when Mick’s home was flooded.

The cataloguer made contact with Ken McIntosh, he was not able to release any records without an invoice, but did say that looking at the photos supplied of the bike that it was one of his frames and that the date of manufacture is on the top face of the top head steady lug at the top of the steering head as per originals. The date stamp on this bike shows that it was born in July 2003. Ken has confirmed that he welds all the frames and his employee Peter, who has worked for him for 36 years, does all the tube fitting and fabrication.

The frame supports a 500cc Norton Dominator engine with primary drive being by chain to a close ratio four speed gearbox. To keep the decibels at bay, a Steve Maney two into one high level exhaust is used exiting on the left hand side of the bike. To keep an eye on the horses, an original Smiths Conical racing rev counter is used. The engine breathes through twin Amal Mk1 Concentric carbs, and stopping power is by a Triumph Conical rear hub drum brake, while the front uses a Robinson 4 leading shoe configuration. Unfortunately, the back plates are missing for the front brake. Various Dunstall parts also adorn the bike.

Last raced by Mick at Cadwell Park on 1 October 2006, the machine would benefit from an overhaul and usual safety checks to recommission it for racing or classic parade use.

Sold with the Historic Racing Certificate from 2006, his competition licence and a 1976 Oliver's Mount race program where his number was 120.