The Book of the Norton

I have two Norton books by W.C. Haycraft, but they are for Norton Twins from 1955-1965.  They were printed in 1966 & 1971.  They are part of Pitman's Motor-cyclists' Library series.  They don't list any pre-war bikes.  My other main "Bible" is P.L. Garratt's Norton Maintenance and Repair book covering all models from 1948.  (He was once Norton's Repair Manager).  My own personal library of Norton lists and manuals only goes back to 1949.

I wouldn't think that Haycraft was around in the early 1930s, although he could have written one in the 1940s when old enough! 

Presumably you have Googled manuals and found this site - https://www.wdnorton.nl/Downloads.htm ?  It is for sidecar Big 4s and doesn't mention a year.  And there is this site - http://www.vintagenorton.com/2005/11/pdf-collection.html

It is a "given" that people should always do some of their own research on the internet before asking questions on a forum - that applies to anything and is common sense.

The Vintage Norton site has free, downloadable manuals ("Maintenance Instructions") for pre-war Nortons from 1922, including one for 1930.  Perhaps there is something for you there to download?

Good luck

Haycraft wasn't around because he didn't exist. The name seems to have been the Pitman Publishing name for umpteen manuals for different machines. The EM Franks book only goes back to 1932. 

Was the Fellowship of the Royal Society therefore also ficticious, curiously not listed amongst the holders ?  Perhaps Sir Issac was never knighted !

Crikey!  He had his name on books from the 1930s to the 1970s!  All the vintage Norton stuff is available for free download from the site I mentioned earlier.  Enough to keep all Vintage enthusiasts happy I should think.  There are even brochures and adverts available.

You should be aware there is an earlier edition of the Book of The Norton by an even younger W

C Haycraft, dated 1930. It is also a relatively thick version compared to subsequent offers

having approx 180 pages.  Problem is it is pretty rare and should you find one for sale and the

vendor is aware what he has, a premium price is the order of the day.

I'd love to find a positive reference to his actual existence. Nothing on the ever unreliable Internet....must look up Royal Society! IMechE or Automotive Engineers...but RS? Very strange...!

David, 

Attached are a couple of photos of my 1930 Haycraft.  Very hard to find. 

Hi David,

   Bruce Main-Smith did a reprint in the 1970s of a Temple Press book from 1959. This might be a cheap and easy alternative, but it is only pocket size and only 62 pages which is not enough to cover it's remit in great detail, but there is some good information.

Norton Motorcycles 1928 to 1955.   ISBN O 950241261

Just as well start at the Vintage Norton Motorcycles site and download scans of original manuals and literature to your heart's content.  Probably better than Haycraft or BMS.  Can't get much cheaper than Free!

... but I prefer the Edgar Franks version which covers all models from 1932. Franks was an unsung hero at Norton, designing much of the detail, and was a member of the IME.

All very well but David's bike is a 1930 model.  The original Norton Maintenance series are likely to be better than aftermarket books anyway - and they are free, which is always a good price!

Having read both I would suggest they are broadly on par. The original Norton factory literature is not as comprehensive as you might wish, whilst Haycroft also has its strengths and weaknesses. They are however both useful additions to the workshop library.

Turning to Mr Haycraft again, interestingly the introduction to the 1930 edition includes mention of his visit to the Norton factory and his complimentary references to what he found.

I’ve got this,  I can help you if they are not available.  Also I have a 1930 coverage parts book but not covering B4’s

... is probably what you want. B M-S photocopy publications are all available from the NMM.

https://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/product/norton-1924-to-1930-instruction-manual-covers-all-models-and-sidecars-good-manual-syrtis345/

There are also parts books for your bike.