Model 24 rebuild

 

-SG- Adam has embarked on the challenging  restoration of a late 1925 Model 24.  The machine has been in bits for years and, amongst other things, some of the frame tubes need replacing. Of even greater importance, the cylinder head is missing and a usable replacement would be a great help. Anyone who has a suitable head to spare, please contact Adam direct - his email address is adam@nrhunt.co.uk  

More on Four Speeders

 

-SG- Earlier this year we had a short posting about the few four speed 'cross over' box machines which have survived from the twenties. As I mentioned, by the time 1929 came along the number being sold was quite small. BUT a recent chat with Robert - who has a 1926 Model 24 - prompted me to have a more in depth look at the figures and I was very surprised at the result. The first machine actually listed is a Model 24 (although the Works called it a four speed 588 in the records) in mid 1925 and this was shortly followed by a few four speed Big Fours. But come 1926 and the numbers grew surprisingly such that by the end of 1928 there appears to have been model totals as follows (e and oe!):

 

Model 14 ... 177

Model 24 ... 399

Model 34 ... 114 

Model 44 ... 43

And for what it's worth, the Four Speeders made up about 3.5 % of total machine output in the period of their production. 

And a final point ... it is apparently possible to replace the four speed gearbox with the usual type CS three speed version.  The frame lug is the same although the rear wheel has to be turned round to get normal chain alignment etc.

Few and far between - Vintage Four Speeders ...

 

-SG- Vintage period machines fitted with Norton's own cross-over gear box were never big sellers and this is reflected  in the very few postings we have had over the years for the relevant models - 14, 24, 34 and 44.  Ron recently sent me photos of his nicely restored 1930 Model 24 - attached and thanks, Ron! This particular machine started life as a rather special example, as it was powered by a dry sump 588 engine, and had what is described  in the records as a TT footchange with neutral. This would have been a modified version of the Sturmey positive stop footchange fitted to some of the 1929 racing specification CS1s - and not one of their best efforts. 

Ron asked if I knew how many of the four speed bikes were produced and the short answer was 'no!'  But it set me on a little time waster to have a look at the despatch records. As Ron's bike is a saddle tanker I decided to check from early 1929 to Autumn 1930 (by which time 1931 models appear in the records in profusion) This is what I found:

1929     Model 14 :   21

             Model 24 :   19

             Model 34 :   4

             Model 44 :  NIL

1930     Model 24 :   6

             All the rest: NIL

 Based on these figures, no wonder survivors are few and far between!

Lawrence's 1929 Model 24 Norton

An email from Lawrence in the UK: "This is my 1929 Model 24. I have had the bike for a couple of years now. When I got it, it was mostly complete although in a very worn out state, the last owner having used it extensively till it's lay up in his shed in about 1977. The owner before that found me at the Banbury run, he filled me in on it's earlier history as he owned it from about 1960. 

Despite it's oily rag state it has had an engine overhaul by Dr George who has been more than helpful with a lot of info and also some difficult but essential parts (thanks also to Chris Streather of the NOC for getting the kick start gears made). There is not one nut, bolt or bearing that has not been refurbished or replaced. Almost all is original except for the later carb (anyone got a 1 1/4" stub Amal type 6 at less than a king's ransom) and exhaust. I don't plan a full on cosmetic restoration as I like to use it almost daily...when it's not in bits!"

Have a fag!

-SG- It may not have escaped the notice of some blog visitors that in many 'end of race' shots from the twenties and thirties, both competitors and onlookers have all lit up a well-earned cigarette!  Distinctly 'un-cool' by today's standards but seemingly the norm at the time.

It is thus hardly surprising that W D and H O Wills, one of the UK's leading cigarette and tobacco producers, should have run a series of cigarette cards covering motorcycles and here's a scan of one issued in about 1926 showing a four speed Model 24. Amongst about thirty such cards on various subjects which I looked through in a second-hand shop not long ago, this was fortuitously the only one relating to bikes and better still, the shop owner kindly gave it to me free!

1928 Model 24 - SOLD

For sale SOLD at Verralls; a flat tank Norton described as an original 1928 Model 24. I've never seen one before but when the description is correct the dry-sump 588cc engine (!) sitting next to it would originally have been fitted. The 4-speed box is correct for this model. There were a few 588 dry-sump ES2 engines made/sold by Nortons; it is only the differing main shaft diameters which means that standard 588 flywheels can't be used in ES2s so in that respect it could be correct. A very interesting flat tanker with a hefty price tag at £21,500 (for which off course you also get the spare Model 18 engine).

Ian Hatton:"It's a 588cc OHV with the Model 25 type recirculating oiling system. Standard Model 18 engine is presently fitted but I have included a pic of the oil tank to show the return oil line. Obviously the external oil pump is not correct. Also has a four speed cross over gearbox. I believe all these details to be original."