1959 Norton Manx History! Engine and Frame Serial Number (11M81974)! I have spent the past the past several months restoring my Manx and completed this project October 4th 2004. It is now, no longer mine, thanks to the buyer. This is an original and complete 1959-500cc Model 30M, Norton Manx. Both the frame and the engine have the identical Serial Numbers (11M81974)!   The following is its general history: 1959 — John Surtees, London England sold the 1959 Norton Manx, serial number 11M81974 to Robin H. Spurgin of Vancouver, Canada. This machine arrived in the late fall of 1959 and was introduced at Westwood Racing Circuit in the spring of 1960 beginning its career. 1960 — Robin, in the fall of that year, pressured by business commitments, sold the Manx to me, also of Vancouver, but only after I managed to borrow the money from my father, Howard. I previously campaigned a 1957 BSA Clubman's Gold Star, DBD-34-GS2710, and was at the opening of Westwood, July 26, 1959. The 1959 season was very successful and of additional interest I was also involved in the foundation of the British Columbia Motor Cycle Racing Club, BCMCRC, which ultimately became the current Westwood Motorcycle Racing Club, WMRC. 1960 — My first race with the Manx, demolished the lap record, lowering it by 2 seconds. With this machine and over the next 5 years of racing at Westwood, Seattle International Raceway, SIR, Portland International Raceway, I established lap records for both the 500cc and the Unlimited classes that lasted until the Suzuki and Yamaha factory machines arrived. 1961 — Westwood 500cc and Unlimited class championship. 1962 — Westwood 500cc and Unlimited class championship. Harold L Daniell, of Forest Hill London England sold me the 1st Manx 5-speed gearbox he designed, that was manufactured, I believe, by Rod Quaife. To the dismay of many who suggested that all these gears would slow you down, another couple of seconds was taken off the lap record. 1963 — Another very successful season. Purchased the Fontana (4 leading shoe) front break and wheel assembly from Harold with the obvious benefits. 1964 — Another successful season but the motor is slowing down and I decided to take the engine to Harold Daniell's London shop for a complete overhaul. Luck and timing allowed the motor to go to Harold's brother-in-law, Steve Lancefield who was one of the very few independent tuners preparing World Championship winning machines. While I haven't checked, it is known that Lancefield did not stamp his own engines, save for a very small 'SSL' in the cylinder head. However I haven't looked but the original Invoice from Harold indicated that the overhaul was complete and it proved very satisfactory. 1965 — A semi-successful season, the 750cc Norton Commandos were too quick out of the corners, and while the 500cc championship was won, the new machines were getting very quick necessitating the ultimate change. 1966 — Began racing the Factory TR50 and TR250 Suzuki's and the Manx was semi-retired. 1966 — 1970 My brother Geoff, who raced in England and at the Isle of Mann, returned to Canada and occasionally took the Manx out for special events. After my retirement from racing at the end of 1970, it had spent time stored in my wife's coal cellar and then on our farm, residing in the basement and then here on Vancouver Island in the garage workroom. 1990 — September 15, Westwood Racing Circuit The "Last Hurrah" Winner — final race before the racetrack closed, Vintage 500cc 1st place, 2nd overall on the Manx. 2004 — I decided to restore the Manx after visiting a friend in Scotland.   Motorcycle sold complete with the original 4 speed gearbox cluster , HLD 5speed gearbox cluster and Quaife 5 speed gearbox installed, the original 5gal Aluminum petrol tank and the 2 ½gal Fiberglass petrol tank, the original fibreglass full fairing and screen, the small handlebar fairing as pictured and the original Norton Manx front brake and wheel assembly as spare, the machine is fitted with the original Fontana (4 leading shoe) front break and wheel assembly and the last of the Goodyear 'Motor Racer Traction & Rib' Tyres. " Top speed, clocked at PRI "Portland International Raceway" 132MPH. Using 5 speed gear box, flying corner start, full faring, 115/145 Aviation Fuel, ignore chicane at the 3/4 point, just managed to get around the corner at the top of the strait. " FYI, I no longer have the machine, it went to a great couple. Pete Kellond More FYI — News

Historical Serial number sequences are available!

British Spares

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