Wanted Norton ES2

[Ixion]

Fuel tank is definitely wrong for an ES2, should be lower at the rear, and not have that notch/step at lower rear.

[Paul in NZ]

Fuel tank is definitely wrong for an ES2, should be lower at the rear, and not have that notch/step at lower rear.

Poor guy - we are being a bit mean about his bike....

[Ixion]

Not really. Personally I quite like these "creative" bikes - a bit of this , a bit of that. I even managed to introduce a bit of 1926 James into my XT600 Yamaha.

But the OP specified he didn't want a bitsa.

[Voltaire]

From memory the slick shift arrived in 1958 as Paul stated, proved unpopular and was discontinued from 1960 (?) but cover remained in use.
I have a 58 that one day I'll get back on the road, temped to get the slick shift operational.
The swingarm gearbox has a different mounting system to the rigid....I gather the internals are the same....TE ??
The tank has the wavy Norton solder pattern going on....I thought that was only on the flat tankers....
I bought some years ago from Ken Mc for a 29 I was tinkering on......( first year of the saddle tanks).

[Paul in NZ]

I even managed to introduce a bit of 1926 James into my XT600 Yamaha..

Steady on old chap - there are limits you know.....

[Ixion]

Having said that, I've found a picture of an International with a very similar looking tank, the 'notch' being necessary to clear the high angled GP carb.

Perhaps it really is a garden gate frame , with assorted other bits.

It's actually quite good value, if it were 100% anorak correct he'd want far more for it.

[Brian d marge]

You have too many nice bikes as it is - let me take the worrisomeness away and sell me the rolling chassis... I'd love to recreate the little rigid triumphs I grew up with. ( ah hem....)

That was a nice wee bike

if you can cope with an enfield , you still can make an english chop, quite cheaply


Stephen

[Brian d marge]

Not really. Personally I quite like these "creative" bikes - a bit of this , a bit of that. I even managed to introduce a bit of 1926 James into my XT600 Yamaha.

But the OP specified he didn't want a bitsa.

"OP" ....old person?

Stephen

[Motu]

I don't mind bitzas, so long as they are improvements....and some of these look like they are. The pre AMC Norton box was a huge thing with a foot long lever....although the Triumph gearbox wasn't as good as a BSA or AMC, the clutch was better. Is that girders on a plunger, or plungers on a girder? If I had a set of telies and girders in the shed...I'd fit the girders. A monoblock is better than a type 6, and a monoblock is better than a concentric, that's a smart move. A Triumph oil tank ? It's chrome, so I'd fit that too.

[ntst8]

Having said that, I've found a picture of an International with a very similar looking tank, the 'notch' being necessary to clear the high angled GP carb.

Its possible, both the plunger frame and the Inter tank were listed as options for the ES2 in '39.
I have never seen a plunger/girder model but the forks look very steep and the gap between mudguard and downtube very small compared to my rigid/girder 16H.
And I thought had read somewhere that the drum changed from left to right for '39?

[Paul in NZ]

Its possible, both the plunger frame and the Inter tank were listed as options for the ES2 in '39.
I have never seen a plunger/girder model but the forks look very steep and the gap between mudguard and downtube very small compared to my rigid/girder 16H.
And I thought had read somewhere that the drum changed from left to right for '39?

Yep - there is something odd about the way the bike sits.

I have no detailed knowledge of Nortons of the era other than having ridden a few including a 37 International which stuck in my head as a true thoroughbred but....

Often you swapped out lower links of girders to alter the trail when a side car was fitted or the bike was ridden solo.

[eliot-ness]

This is the 1939 ES2. The 1946 model was identical from all info I can find.

[pinkynz]

Haha..I bought that bike!! Got a real good price in the end and like you all, I noticed a few things different. Nice to pin down the gearbox model. A friend pointed me in the right direction to 50's Triumph. The girder forks threw me but apparently they frame and forks are ok for the year as Norton factory used up spares and I understand the telescopic came out in 47, this is 46. Oil tank is an extra and Amal carb (you missed that one). Despite the bits and pieces, the bike rides really well, starts well and turns heads..The original parts will come later. Becoming a little more difficult finding post war bikes for a good price in original condition..