English French German Italian Spanish

Manx advice

Submitted by william_pryde on Wed, 25/09/2013
Forums
Singles

Hi, I'm looking for some advice on buying an original manx and have a guy looking to sell. He says its a Manx 40 350cc frame 1953 with a 500cc Manx engine. Frame no 50/695 10m2 manx40 350. No engine number. I ideally wanted something with a bit of history but unfortunately he doesn't have much.

What I want to know is was it common to replace a 350 engine with a 500 in the 50-60s?

Should I avoid this if I'm looking for an investment and wait for a 500 frame with 500 engine?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated or if anyone knows the bike even better.

Many Thanks

Fraser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 25/09/2013

Permalink

Fraser,

I am unable to comment on this individual case, but consider the following:-

  • The NOC Records Officers see more and more cammy Nortons of dubious provenance as time goes on and their value continues to remain high
  • DVLA is reorganising and our Records Officers report that procedures are being tightened up in a number of areas
  • Ref. the above, think carefully about anything without an Engine No.
  • The NOC has experts available on various types of Norton and the camshaft machines is an area where their advice is even more critical than usual as a mistake can be very expensive indeed
  • As a Member, you have access to these facilities - use them!

Submitted by simon_ratcliff on Wed, 25/09/2013

Permalink

Regarding investments, you'd be better off seeking the opinion of a financial advisor. Gold bullion or oil paintings would be my non expert tip. For the slightly more adventurous investor there's always the blackmarket. High profits on the upside, long gaol terms on the downside.

Submitted by dave_graham1 on Thu, 26/09/2013

Permalink

Engines on race bikes get changed about all the time as you'll see if you've ever walked around the pits at a classic race meeting, if this Manx was used as it was meant to be, it's not surprising it's been replaced. Check the frame number out as Chris suggests. DVLA aren't interested in engine numbers, so if you are thinking of registering it, a dating letter confirming the manufacture of the frame will do it.

Only you can decide if you are happy with how much the bike has been mixed and matched and finding one that is totally original is hard and expensive and not always what it says it is. I met a bloke in the Isle of Man that said his Manx was one of the very last ever built, no numbers on it anywhere that he could find. I looked on the head steady mount and it looked like a date of â87 stamped on it to me.

My Manx is a bitsa with old and new parts, Summerfield crank cases, new crank etc. If I talk to a racer, the bike's great with strong new parts, but some purists would turn there nose up at it. The bikeâs just right for what Iâm going to do with it, so be happy with the bike for the money youâre paying.

 


Norton Owners Club Website by 2Toucans