Welcome to the SNOC
Next Surrey Branch Meeting is on Tuesday 25th November 2025. Start time 7.00pm
***Tools***:
The club has bought an ultrasonic cleaner. If members wish to use it, please contact Howard who has it. You will need to purchase your own Ultrasonic cleaning fluid to use with it.
Video of the Month
(November 2025): New 2026 Norton Manx R Unveiled At EICMA 2025: Everything You Need To Know!
(October 2025): Norton 16h vid pt1.wmv
RECENT EVENT NEWS
Surrey Branch at the Ardingly Classic Bike Show on Sunday 26 October 2025
The Surrey Branch represented the NOC at the Ardingly classic bike show on Sunday 26 October 2025. Originally Julie Diplock sent me the list of our member’s bikes, it only had 10 bikes from the branch members for our display on the Sunday. We then had 15 bikes turn up for display, on our stand. The ride down was with empty roads, and the A22 being such a great ride that early in the morning. The only problem was that the sun was low in the sky, and at many times, it would blind me. I was following Phillip Tuck, as he has a sun visor in his helmet, so I kept him in sight, but even then the sun would blind me some times. That morning it was cold, but our bikes behaved perfectly ok, apart from my Unified Twin having the battery cover come off of the bike. I then had to park the bike and then run back up the road to retrieve it. This took a while, so we arrived later than expected. Graham Holcombe, the power house of the Surrey branch was so very diligent in organising the bikes for display, for their relevant owners. This he did very well and the branch had neat rows of Norton’s on display. The Surrey branch also had Norton’s from other branches come along to display their bikes on our stand. We had many members who normally come along to support us but could not be there due to other family commitments. Simon Smith brings all the branches equipment, which now does not include the gazebo, as it has been decided to only use it for our outside events. Simon brought along our chairs, and table as well as the tea, coffee and biscuits, as well as the all important kettle. As it was such a cold morning, a cup of hot tea was welcomed by our branch members, who had ridden in that morning. Without Simon, and his truck the Surrey branch would be the lesser for him bringing all our extra items that are very much an integral part of our branches stand.
During the day we had other branch members come along to support us, and look at our display. There was Dave Carpenter, with his son and grandson, Andy Neal, and John Summerfield. Andy has now completed the restoration of his WD 16H and when he has attended to some oil leaks he will be able to display this war veteran at one of our up-and-coming shows. John gave the branch a very in depth talk on the following Tuesday at our club night about his 1929 Model 18 Norton. This included the research into what metals to use for the various worn-out components, and having to find, and have made various parts that now were no longer available. John also spoke about the history of this bike from 1929 and who the various owners were.
Andy Linton had a stall for the NOC merchandise, and along with his wife did a very brisk trade in selling many NOC related items. Our stands bikes consisted of 7 Dominators, which comprised, of a 99, 650ss, and an Atlas and a 1968 P11A Ranger 750. One OHC 1932 International, a 1953 350cc Manx, a 1953 600cc 19S, and 3 Commando’s. I took along two of the factory prototype unified twin bikes, one in an N15CS frame and the other in a slim-line featherbed frame. I put up a display board so those that came to look at them had an understanding as to what they actually were and looking at. These two bikes drew so many visitors to look at them, and many did not even know that, those engines ever existed. They were all fascinated by these engines, and what could have been a production bike, but was cancelled.
The branches stand had a huge amount of visitor’s throughout the day, those with questions about their own bikes, as well as enquiries as to where the Surrey branch has our club room.
The fire up paddock had two of our Surrey branch members having their engines run up. There was Max Groves and his 350 Manx and David Cooper and his 1932 500cc International. The roar of their engines of their owners delighted the assembled crowd of on lookers. This particular event takes place in the morning and the afternoon.
The Surrey branches display did get a first for the post 1970 bikes, for a 1975 Commando Interstate in Candy Apple Red, whose owner was Andrew Mann a branch member.
The ride back was very enjoyable with once more very empty roads, with me following Phillip Tuck. The Unified Twin engine made a glorious sound through its silencers, and I could not hear any mechanical sound emanating from that engine. This bike has had a huge amount of work and development, done on it, and for an engine that had a reputation for overheating and seizing it behaved impeccably well. Riding that bike and knowing it is the only one in the world, and it behaved like a normal production bike, was such a wonderful experience.
I would like to thank all those members that came along on that Sunday, to display their bikes, and also for all their help, enthusiasm and support that they give to the branch.
Anthony Curzon
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Clubnights are on the fourth Tuesday each month from 7.30pm unless stated.
Location – The Stepping Stones pub at Westhumble, just across the A22 roundabout from Box Hill, just north of Dorking, Surrey.
The Stepping Stones, Westhumble Street, Westhumble, Dorking, RH5 6BS
The Late Mike Duffel and his 1953 Model 30 Manx Norton – R.I.P.
Welcome to the
Norton Owners Club’s Surrey Branch
Situated just a few miles away from the historic Brooklands Racetrack, where Bert Denly (pictured above) roared round the banking on his Model 18 Brooklands Special in 1925, we meet at The Stepping Stones, a great bike friendly pub at West Humble near Box Hill.
We organise rides out, quiz nights and visits to local places of interest.
Our members can offer a wealth of useful experience to help you with your Norton – old or new!
Come along to one of our club nights and see what we are up to and have a chat. New members or just interested in Nortons? Come along!
Or you can call or e-mail us at the address shown on the contact page.
You can be sure of a warm welcome whatever time of year!
If you’re interested in bikes and particularly the unapproachable Norton, on the page links on the left you’ll find plenty to whet your appetite and using the links on the right you will find our activities listed by dates.