Do you know anything about this old racing outfit?

[jerrykap]

Hi all, My first post dodn't generate much interest, I suppose you're all out racing or too busy with life to have a look right now. So here it goes again:

Please help with information concerning this vintage Norton kneeler. I'm trying to find out who built it, rode it and raced it. If you know anything about this cool old racer please post here or email me at jerrykap@pacbell.net. I'm also on Skype as jerrykap.

[jerrykap]

Here are a few more photos...thanks for looking, Jerry

[steve-e]

By the response so far Jerry it would seem you've got hold of a proper obscure one There have been loads of people looking.
Does anyone recognise the forks to get us started? Wheels, bodywork?

[artieb]

Just a thought may be worth posting pics on B.H.R. forum

[jerrykap]

Just a thought may be worth posting pics on B.H.R. forum

Please tell me more about the B.H.R. forum (URL?). Looks like I'm going to need more viewers to sort this out. Thanks, Jerry

[artieb]

Should have done it first time apologies. http://www.britishhistoricracing.co.uk

[steve-e]

The link I had was http://pchweb.co.uk/v_forum/index.php

[jerrykap]

By the response so far Jerry it would seem you've got hold of a proper obscure one There have been loads of people looking.
Does anyone recognise the forks to get us started? Wheels, bodywork?

I suppose you're right Steve...since it wound up in the USA quite some time ago, perhaps it wasn't seen in action much in the UK? Think it could have been built in OZ? It's very unusual to see a P11 Norton serial number on the engine, as P11's were export only models. Perhaps the engine was changed out here in the states? I must say the engineering on the chassis is at a very high level...these builders were no Mickey Mouse amateurs.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that someone, somehere will spot something that will lead to a breakthrough. Thanks again, Jerry

[steve-e]

Jerry, more pics will help. Some close ups of stuff. I don't think you're going to find the original builder but you have a good chance of finding out who built what bits. Honestly this place is THE place for locating machines so we'll work on building the bits up.
If you want some seriously sarcastic replies show us the welding

[oldbelly]

It seems odd to have the top tubes over the engine. A twin would normaly have the top tubes around either side of the head/barrels. Not the strongest way to make a frame.

[jerrykap]

Jerry, more pics will help. Some close ups of stuff. I don't think you're going to find the original builder but you have a good chance of finding out who built what bits. Honestly this place is THE place for locating machines so we'll work on building the bits up.
If you want some seriously sarcastic replies show us the welding

All right, now we're talking. I can send all sorts of detail photos now that the outfit has been shifted over to my garage. The only thing is, I'm on holiday until 23/7. Currently I'm in Washington DC for a few days and then going to the big Norton Rally In the Catskills.

[jerrykap]

Hi all,

I've met several Canadian sidecar fans & racers here at the Intenational Norton Owners rally...one of them suggested that my mystery outfit might have been constructed by Terry Windle? Any thoughts and comments would be appreciated along with possible contact information.

I'll be home soon and will post more photos then.

Thanks, Jerry

[oldbelly]

No Terry did not build your bike. The forks look more Fiddaman style. All Terry Windle or John Crick (they worked together in the early years) twins would have had the top tubes around the sides of the motor. Also look at the loop for holding the sidecar nose cone. Its of a very large diameter to hold such a lightweight item. No professional chassis builder would do this surely ?

[Gary James]

Hi Jerry

I can't be certain, but the chassis looks very similar to the one that my fathers race team partner Tony Harris made in 1974. It was built to house the 903cc Kawasaki Z1 engine that had been bought for Roger Aldous and Peter Lucock to use. The outfit was very successful in 1975 and 1976 before being sold in 1977.

Regards
Gary

[Bill Lymburn]

I think I raced against that outfit in 1975 at Jurby IOM road race. I don't remember the outfit but I remember Roger Aldous. I finished 2nd to Peter Campbell on his Yamaha but I don't remember where Roger finished.