specIFICATION
Norton CS1 – OX8874
Frame Number: 30372
Engine Number: 37875CS1
Magneto No: 490A
Gearbox No: 129531
Fork No. WTT28A
The Norton CS1 is one of those machines that looks quick even when standing still and has the ability to stop almost all classic motorcycle enthusiasts dead in their tracks.
Norton’s new overhead-cam 500 made its racing debut in the 1927 Senior TT, a famous victory because Alex Bennett won the race while Stanley Woods, the chief works rider, made the fastest lap (71mph) before retiring with clutch trouble. Scarcely six months later, the works announced a client version, the CS1 (for “Cam Shaft One”)
Norton claimed the CS1 was the fastest production machine available in its category. It was a faithful copy of the works bike, which had been clocked at 93.7 mph in the Isle of Man. Designed by Walter Moore (who designed a similar power unit for NSU) the single cylinder CS1 was a long stroke unit with a shaft and bevel driven overhead camshaft. Primary transmission was by chain to a Sturmey Archer racing gearbox.
The machine acquired the nickname the Cricket Bat – so called because the vertical shaft and lower timing case resembles the willow of the batsman.
The powertrain was housed in a new cradle frame instead of the diamond frame used with the previous Norton pushrod engine. The CS1 could be supplied with a touring gearbox, fitted with a kick starter and solo or sidecar gear ratios as well as with a close ratio box and no kick starter. The generous drum brakes were reputedly copied from those of the Ford Model T. The dry sump lubrication was supplied by a gear pump mounted beneath the lower driving bevels of the camshaft drive. The CS1 remained in production until 1932, when it was replaced by a road going version of the famous International (which, while it retained the CS1 designation, had an entirely different engine).
This was the start of a golden era for the company as they went on to dominate road racing for several years, both at home and on the Continent, and many say it can justify its position as the original Manx Norton. It was the flagship of the Norton line-up, and the avid boy racers soon assembled.
This extremely rare unrestored “client version” 1928 production model CS1, here offered for sale, was purchased as part of a deceased estate in 2020. Such was the admiration for this machine that the previous owner of some 56 years (John Priestley of Worcestershire) strapped it to a radiator in his sitting room where it was found after he departed to ride motorcycles in the sky. It was last used by him in 1976 as the tax disc still on the machine displays. Evidently this larger than life character absolutely loved riding his machine and was often seen out and about at various events and hostelries throughout the Midlands and particularly in the Isle of Man!
Having obtained a number of missing parts including the original exhaust and correct three speed Sturmey Archer gearbox the man entrusted to bring it back to life, while retaining as much of its originality and patina, was racing motorcycle nut and JAP specialist Ewan Cameron of Cameron Engineering in Malvern UK.
New Avon tyres have been fitted, the engine stripped, checked and de-coked. The gearbox rebuilt with new bearings and he has been through the machine with a fine tooth comb and it now runs as sweetly as ever on Castrol R racing engine castor oil.
According to Norton’s factory records this CS1 was despatched on 17th May 1928 to Alexander & Co Ltd the Norton Dealer in Edinburgh. It was sold then on 1st June 1928 to Mr A Fraser. At some stage in the last 95 years and not unusually for these racing machines the engine has been period correctly replaced (again according to the Norton factory records engine no. 37875CS1 despatched on 11thFebruary 1928).
Historically important, this CS1 appears in the VMCC – The Register of Machines (The Blue Book) by W E Hume (3rd Edition) on page 217 with its current specification.
The machine comes with a current V5C correctly registered as a historic vehicle showing just one previous owner since the DVLA became computerised along with recent receipts, a blue registration document dated 18thOctober 1983, a green log book (duplicate) dated 10th February 1964, 6 old MOT’s the earliest from 1964, Worcester County Council correspondence relating to previous registered owners, evidence of its attendance at the first Isle ofMan TT rally in 1964 along with evidence of further visits in 1965 and 1967 as an entrant including the original Isle of Man TT Rally’s official programmes,entrants labels along with entry forms.
Various articles relating to Norton CS1’s including The Classic Motorcycle 1996 featuring the Walter Moore Engined CS1 as the cover photograph and a copy of the NOC1 the Norton Owners Club Factory Record detailing the original specification are provided.
A copy of the 2022 Norton Owners Club Calendar is also included showing this CS1 as the December feature machine.
Since recommissioning the machine, not surprisingly, it doesn't like to get into heavy traffic situations, preferring instead the countryside with motorcycling pals and on Vintage club runs. It regularly accompanies a 1934 Brough Superior 11.50 on South Coast rides. Not that this necessarily means sedate Sunday rides, because make no mistake about it, this CS1 flies!
