Lot 362: Norton CS1 "Hybrid"

This machine was created as a result of another CS1 restoration project owned by the vendor, which was sold by Cheffins in October 2004 (Lot 518) and is still being ridden by the purchaser. The accumulation of scarce spares for the original machine included a 1927 Cricket Bat engine, which the vendor re-built as a spare and laid down in its box where it remained for 10 years. The presence of such a rare engine just sitting there doing nothing prompted the production of a CS1 tribute machine from this talented builder, I thought it would keep me amused he relates. Around 2000 a 1937 International rolling chassis was purchased, allegedly an ex race machine, (lugs for rearsets would seem to back this up) and the whole plot was stripped down, alignments checked, forks re-pinned and bushed etc, etc. The engine was, according to Norton records, despatched on 23rd December 1927 to a Southend dealers as a complete CS1, the vendor has fitted a later con-rod with larger gudgeon pin (7/8), a standard International slipper piston and an Amal type 27 carb' (similar to TT model). The vendor reports that this seems well suited to the machine which starts readily hot or cold and ticks over easily. The rear wheel is from a plunger model with finned drum and the front wheel is a 21 item, the brake drum modified with a shrunk-on finned band. The petrol tank is an aluminium reproduction item and tops off a fine machine, which is certainly not a cosseted show piece but goes like the clappers with the most glorious cacophony from the Brooklands can. The beauty of this tribute machine is that unadulterated period Norton parts are used throughout, the rear engine plates and the primary & mag' chain cover are the only custom items that it was necessary to produce. Sadly deteriorating health now forces the sale, previous machines from this vendor bear testament to hi