–SG– After I look again at our website I’m stunned on the few postings involving Trials fashions even though Norton riders comparable to Jack Williams and Vic Brittain have been on the prime of their sport within the thirties – principally with Trials variations of the Mannequin 18. There doesn’t appear to have been a leaflet dedicated to Trials fashions particularly however the 1937 Brochure included a paragraph and illustration on the topic. For the (then fairly excessive) sum of £5 one may order any mannequin in Trials trim. And this included – amongst different issues – chromed mudguards and rims, 21″ entrance wheel, slender forks (ie Inter dimensions), chromed main drive cowl and chain guard, body with elevated floor clearance, and ‘nobbly’ tyres.
Richard’s grandfather, a policeman in Penicuick, Scotland, acquired a Trials spec. Mannequin 18 in all probability within the mid forties and the NOC particulars present it was initially delivered in December 1935 to Alexanders of Edinburgh. The retail purchaser just isn’t proven within the information so whether or not it was used competitively in its early days just isn’t recognized. However by the point it was bequeathed to Richard in 2014 it was in relatively a sorry state – see images above.
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He had determined to maintain it within the household and that he would get it professionally rebuilt earlier than passing it on to his son Jon – a US resident of California. This process was put within the palms of Rob Gibson of Bainbridge, Indiana, who specialises in rebuilding post-war British bikes and it was actually his first involving a pre-war machine. Judging by the images Richard has despatched he appears to be like to have made a fairly good job of it and actually all the gadgets which have been changed have been salvaged and saved. Value simply mentioning that the raised handlebars are fitted to make it extra snug to journey – each Richard and his son being over 6ft (1.8M). It was ridden a part of the way in which from Indiana to California by them each after the rebuild – solely a part of the way in which as some milage was on the trailer as a result of vile climate!
Richard has stated that he could be completely satisfied to make contact with any Norton fanatics in California – tell us and we’ll ahead contact particulars on.
