Norton ES2

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Introduced as early as 1927, the designation ES2 was given to the Norton sports / roadster that utilised the Model 18's overhead valve engine in the cradle frame of the CS1 OHC model, and from that time onwards the ES2 applied to the top of the range overhead valve single.

The ES2 stayed in the range right up until 1963, the 79mm x 100mm stroke of the original 1911 James Lansdowne Norton design being retained right to the end of production.

Post-war developments included the adoption of the hydraulically damped "road holder" forks ( 1947) an all alloy head ( 1955) alternator electrics ( 1959) and the race proven featherbed slim-line frame ( 1961). Although the traditional Norton ES2 disappeared from the catalogue in 1963, the name was revived in 1966 for a badge-engineered Matchless G80 that appeared with Norton colour scheme and tank badges.

Being offered here from a deceased estate, this matching numbers Norton ES2 490cc single was in regular use by the owner until failing health intervened. Still on its original July 1949 KXA 451 registration number, it was last MOTd in 2012 and last taxed in 2014. It comes with the original buff cardboard logbook, V5 and V5C plus expired MOT certificates from 1996 to 2012 and Sorn documents.

This represents a great opportunity to own an original, matching engine and frame numbers machine, that has proven continuous use at a suggested sensible guide price. As this machine has had no use in the last year, some precautionary checks are advised before use.

AMENDMENT: Please note that the last three sentences of the penultimate paragraph in the printed catalogue refer to Lot 218 and not to this machine.