Norton Motorcycles 1950s

Today in Motorcycle History

Norton Motorcycles of 1928

From Sports Mounts for 1928

Perhaps the most popular sports model on the road, Nortons bid fair to retain their popularity. The greatest interest will be aroused in the overhead camshaft engine, which will probably be the most coveted machine in 1928. This model known as C.S.1. represents an embodiment of racing practice in road use.

New cradle frames with torque rods are fitted to the T.T. models - both push rod and camshaft - and should prove as stable in private hands as they have in racing, at the terrific speeds of which these engines are capable. 95-100 m.p.h. is mentioned in connection with the latter.

Motor Sport Magazine

CS1 500cc OHC

Designed by Walter Moore, it had the same bore/stroke ratio as the Model 18 - 79x100mm - and used bevel gears on a vertical shaft to drive the overhead camshaft.

Having won the 1927 Isle of Man Senior TT, the production version of the CS1 was revealed at the Motor Cycle Show late in 1927. It continued as Norton's primary sports machine until the introduction of the International.
Norton CS1


From a late 1928 Norton Catalogue:

ES2 4.90hp O.H.V. Sports

Engine. - Push Rod Type. Bore 79 m/m. Stroke 100 m/m. Capacity 490 c.c. Push rod return springs totally enclosed. Push rod bottom ends operate in an oil bath. Push rod top ends oil loaded and fitted with oil retaining covers. Entirely redesigned timing gear. Detachable and interchangeable cams.

Lubrication. - Mechanical positive-pressure pump. Dry sump system, £ 3/10/- extra.

Carburetter. - Latest type 2-jet semi-automatic.

Magneto. - High tension, water proof.

Silencer. - New type, double chamber.

Gear Box. - 3-speed, entirely new type, being pivoted on the bottom mounting for front chain adjustment.

Brakes. - 7 inch internal expanding front; 8 inch rear.

Tyres. - 26 x 3.25 heavy wired type, cord coven. PETROL TANK. - Capacity (approx.) 2½ galls

Separate Oil Tank. - Capacity (approx.) 4 pints.

Frame. - Triangulated cradle type with complete protection for crank cue.

Forks. - Latest design with steering damper mounted under steering head.

Saddle. - Improved design. Flexible top. Mounted by means of two coil springs to seat stay lugs.

More: Norton ES2


From the 1928 Norton Catalogue:

MODEL No. 21. 490 O.H.V., Dry Sump.


code word: "GIPSY."
Engine: Bore 79 m.m. Stroke 100 m.m. Capacity 490 c.c.
Dry sump lubrication. Three-speed Gear Box. Gear ratios as Model 18. New silencing system and redesigned oil box. Tyres 26 X 3.25, wired-on type. Price £67 0 0

MODEL No. 34. 4.90 O.H.V., Four-speed.


code Word: HAZEL."
Engine: Bore 79 m.m. Stroke 100 m.m. Capacity 490 c.c. Four-speed Gear Box, 4.45, 5.78, 7.5, 13.28. New silencing system and redesigned oil box. Tyres 26 X 3.25, wired-on type.
Price £68 10 0

MODEL No. 1. 6.33 Big Four.


code word: " AVOCA."

Engine: Bore 82 m.m. Stroke 120 m.m. Capacity 633 c.c. Standard ratios: 5.38, 7.91, 14.24. New silencing system and redesigned oil box. Tyres 26 x 325, wired-on type.
Model 17C as above, but with 490 c.c. engine. Code Word: "Epsom."
Model 14 as Big Four. 633 c.c. engine, but with Norton Four-speed Gearbox. code Word: "Elgin."
Prices: No.1 £57 10 0 No. 17C, £56 10 0 No. 14. £62 10 0

More: Big Four


MODEL No. 18. 4•90 O.H.V.


Code Word: " ASCOT."

Engine: Bore 79 m.m. Stroke 100 m.m. 490 c.c. O.H.V. engine. Push rod operated. Close ratio gears are fitted unless otherwise ordered - 4.47, 5.59, 9.67. Redesigned silencing system, new type oil box and 26 X 3.25 wired-on tyres.
Price £63 10 0

More: Norton Model 18


MODEL No. 19. 5.88 O.H.V., Three-speed.


Code Word: "BRIAR."

Engine: Bore 79 m.m. Stroke 120 m.m. Capacity 588 c.c. Three-speed Gear Box, 5.78, 7.50, 13.28. New type silencing system, redesigned oil box. Tyres 26 x 3.25, wired-on type.

Price £66 10 0


MODEL No. 24. 5.88 O.H.V., Four-speed.


Code Word "CERES."

Engine: Bore 79 m.m. Stroke 120 m.m. Capacity 588 c.c.
Four-speed Gear Box, 4.45 5.78, 7.50 13.28.
New type silencing system, redesigned oil box. Tyres 26 x 3.25, wired-on type.
Model 44, as above, with colonial frame. Code Word: "Ideal."

Prices - No. 24, £71 0 0 No. 44, £72 10 0


MODEL No. 16H. 4.90 Sports.


Code Word: " ACTON."

Engine: Bore 79 m.m. Stroke 100 m.m. Capacity 490 c.c.
Mechanical Lubrication
Standard Ratios, 474, 6.96, 12.55. Large type expanding Hub Brakes. Grease Gun Lubrication; front chain enclosed and lubricated. Patent Rear Hub Shock Absorber. New type Norton highly-efficient Silencer. Steering Damper, Adjustable Bars. Newly designed separate Oil Tank, magneto shield. Tyres 26 x 3.25, wired-on.
MODEL No. 2, as above, but with semi. T. T. Bars and footboards. Code Word: "Fleet."

Prices .
No. 16H, £53 10 0
No. 2, £54 10 0

More: Norton Model 16H