The Surrey branch represented the Norton Owners Club at the HVF and the event started for stall holders and other participants for them to have to arrive after 9am. The weather being so much better than the previous day, as we had had some very heavy rainfall. There was the prospect of the field being not that conducive to riding a motorcycle across it. Simon Smith who brings us all the Surrey branch equipment, had brought along some wooden boards for the bikes to have their centre and prop stands to rest on to stop them sinking into the wet grass. Simon tows his trailer with his pickup truck, and he brings everything that we require for our events. Without Simon, the Surrey branch would have great difficulty being able to actual have any sort of branch presentation. Graham Holcombe, and David Brown, the power house of the Surrey branch, were already on site when I arrived, and were very well organized with erecting our gazebo, as well as our other club equipment. Our other members then began to arrive, and we all pitched in to help with the erecting of our stand. Malcolm King had come all the way from Hayward Heath to support us, and David Brown, also had a long way to travel to attend this event to support and help us. Andy Neal came along to see and support us, and to help with the stand, and he should be getting his ex WD 16H back into running condition to be displayed at one of our future events.

Those members that brought bikes along for display were as follows

Phillip Tuck 1968 Atlas, Robert Tuck 1960 Dominator 99 Deluxe, Malcolm King 1965 Atlas, David Brown, 1958 Dominator 99 cafe racer, and a 1957 Model 50, Mike Chizlett 1958 Dominator 99 cafe racer, Ken Rawlinson 1959 Dominator 99 Sport, Simon Smith 1972 Commando Roadster, Anthony Curzon 1970 Commando Roadster.

Mike Chizlett who came over from the Kent branch to be with us on the day, and he rode his very well presented cafe racer to our show. As I like to get the back ground story behind those that come along to our show, Mike explained to me the building of this particular bike. It has a 1958 wideline featherbed frame, with a 1957 Dominator 99 engine, with a dynamo for the electrics. Mike had a 1964 650ss. He bought this bike from a classified advert in Classic Bike, as box of parts. The engine has had a complete rebuild, and a rebore with +0.040 pistons. The Cylinder Head Shop did the cylinder head overhaul with Len Patterson, doing all the work, with lead free valve seats and valve guides, being put into the cylinder head. The main bearings were replaced with Super Blends, with a positive oil feed to the rocker arms from the timing cover, as per the later modified factory engines. The gearbox has had all the internal springs changed, as well as other worn parts replaced. The petrol tank was supplied by Lyta, and the oil tank was supplied by Unity Equip, and this one holds about five pints of oil. The front brake is a Commando twin leading shoe, with flanged alloy rims, by Akront, with a Manx style front mudguard. Swept back exhaust pipes and Commando pea shooter silencers, finishing of a very attractive looking bike. This particular engine has the Commando chain-case added with a standard Norton clutch assembly, inside and 12 volt electrics. The finned rocker covers were supplied by Wassel. Mike has now owned the bike for over 35 years,

The event was very well attended; despite the prospect of there may have been some bad weather in the forecast.  Pam Anderson, who is one of the organisers, remained very busy throughout the day, but she did manage to come over to our stand to talk to us, and thanked us for our attendance. The branch had a huge amount of interest from those that attended the HVF, and also having pictures taken of their young children seated upon our bikes. This event is very well attended, with a very large variety of stalls, as well as other interesting events being laid on by the organiseing team. Next to us there were the scouts that had set up for people to come along and throw metal balls at crockery like a sort of coco nut shy. All afternoon there was the sound of crockery being smashed to pieces. This would be one way of working out any aggression that you may have built up over the past weeks.

I wish to thank all those that came along, and displayed their bikes for us, and gave their time and their help for our branches display

The Surrey Branch represented the NOC, at the Ardingly Classic Bike Show. The day started sunny and warm, and this continued for the rest of the day. The ride down to the show with Robert and Phil Tuck was a very rewarding experience.  We had 16 bikes assembled on our stand and on display. David Brown the power house of the SNOC was everywhere and ably assisted by Simon Smith, as well the rest of the branch members, who brings all our equipment, as without him, we would not have a stand to be able to display all our bikes. We had two no shows, and one of them was Chris Barraclough who had a very unfortunate incident, where by the front brake malfunctioned, and he was ejected from his Dominator. I had an email later from Chris who informed me as to why this had happened. The two bolts that hold the brake shoes pivot plate onto the brake plate had come loose, and the pivot plate itself had become detached, and therefore, made the front brake inoperable, and seize. This as well as other problems with his Dominator have now been rectified.

Julie Diplock and her team of willing helpers make her events, as they run so smoothly, and all the events that she organises are a joy to attend. The auto-jumble was huge, and I suspect getting bigger every time I attend. It may be that the weather was so good that more traders and show goers had decided to attend. We had, John Summerfield, John Hurst, and Andy Neal come along to support us all. I myself was very much engrossed in talking to our members about their bikes, and getting their personal stories, and the history of their relevant motorcycles. We had four members of the public come over to our stand, with positive affirmations wanting to join the NOC. They were directed to the relevant web sites, as they were very enthusiastic at wanting to join us and be part of our organization. There were also many owners of Norton’s who wanted help with their own bikes, and sought out those on our stand who had this specialised knowledge to be of assistance to them.

The show was packed with visitors, seeking that elusive spare part, as well as taking in the amazing displays of club stands, with, their line up of immaculately presented bikes, proudly watched over by their enthusiastic owners. The fire up paddock had many Brough Superiors starting up and run for the assembled crowds delight. The Brough Superior was the nominated bike of the show. John Summerfield was looking for parts for his 1951 ES2 that he is at present, restoring so that he will be able to ride it once more, this summer. This with the help and expertise of Robert Tuck who has been making this endeavour so much easier for him. The clutch on John’s bike being one of the problematical areas, that required sorting.

Our Chairman Paul Smith came along to support us, and he explained to us, that he had, had a fantastic day. Paul was looking particularly in good health after his very recent, illness treatment plan. Paul is now on the way to a good recovery. Paul brought along his Laverda Jota Three as his Commando has a problem with its master cylinder. Ken Rawlinson’s Atlas received a second place at this event, for the 1960’s class.

Simon Warren had on display his Francis Beart inspired Norton Manx and his Manx came first in the Competition Class. Simon went to the Kop Hill climb where he took his ex Ray Petty Manx to compete with. He had the owner of another Manx come over to talk to him to and inform him as to how good his Petty Manx was. He explained to Simon that a friend of his, whose father had passed away, was selling many Manx related parts. He took the phone number and contacted the seller to go and view the collection of Manx parts. Simon then contacted the seller, who had this large collection of Manx parts, and he bought, 14 wheels, three engines, and three frames, plus other items, and he paid £14000 for the lot. From this collection of parts, Simon was able to build a Francis Beart bike.

Peter Sparrowhawk brought along to display his 1965 ES400 Electra that he has owned for about two years. It has done just over 30,000 miles. The engine was rebuilt back in 1992. He bought the bike from the last owner who then lived in Worthing. He put it back on the road last year, and he explained that it will run all day long, between 60 and 70 mph. The only upgrades that he has done were to add a twin leading shoe front brake, and an electric rev-counter. This is a De-Lux model and it still has the original starter which is still being used to start it. It is missing the correct starter button, and the Electra does not have the correct indicators in place. An all new belt drive has replaced the original Norton primary fitted item, and this required many adjustments to get it working correctly. When it was time to leave, the Electra started on the button, and this dispelled the myth that the starter did not function, as it should have done.

Barry Pay displayed his 1955 600cc 19R single. He explained that there were only 88 built and dispatched of this model. Barry explained that these 19R bikes were the last of the ridged framed bikes sold to the public by Norton. There was never any more built as all the rest of the ridged frames were built into the Model 18 for the RAC. It originally was dispatched to the Isle of Wight, with a sidecar until Barry bought it. It had come built from the factory with 18 inch wheels when all other 19R ridged framed bikes have 19 inch wheels. It has the optional extra Lycett dual seat which is sprung and which was an option when it was new, and dispatched. The rear mudguard is part Commando, and part Model 18. This was done as the rear mudguard had degraded so much, and was in dire need of replacement.

Another visitor was a Dennis Sherwood, who brought along his 1950 Model 7 Dominator. He explained that he has owned this bike now for about six years, and he has put on another wiring harness that he has admitted is not the correct one for that Model 7. He has only ever changed the oil, and added petrol as well as the normal maintenance items that have needed to be attended to. The former owner had lived in Coulsdon, South London. The bike he explained had, had a recall for the cylinder head by the factory, so this Model 7 may have been one of the very early bikes dispatched with the iron cylinder head that had, had the cast integrated inlet manifold. A hand written letter from the Bracebridge Street Norton factory came with the bike as well as other documentation. This explained how the original cylinder head was being returned, for the later bolt on inlet manifold type. When the cylinder head was returned, it was damaged by British Rail, in transit and it was replaced by Norton, but the cost of the damaged head was paid for by British Rail. The bike still has the original oil pressure gauge fitted, from new. The Dominator came with a huge history file, which documents the bikes previous owners’ history. Dennis also owned a Commando, that he had done over 70,000 miles on and he used it for dispatch riding. During the conversation, about bikes I came to realise that we had a mutual friend in one Derek Bennett, who I met at the Ardingly show many years ago. Derek thought that he had, a Matchless G15P but it could not have been, as there was only three made and they were all dispatched abroad, and one was listed as an AJS that was sent to Cuba. It was in fact a very early 1964 Norton N15CS export desert racer, but it had been transformed to look like a Matchless G15 Mk2. Dennis was related to Derek’s family as a cousin, so it really is such a small world.

The Surrey branch stand, attracted so many visitors, with our display of bikes, and we have a wealth of knowledgeable and enthusiastic members to be able answer so many of the questions that these members of the public had come over to ask us. There are also so many who recount their own, very memorable experiences of owning a Norton, who come over and talk to us about a shared passion, that we all have and that they also still possess. So once more the Surrey branch had a very successful day, and the day’s end came far too quickly for us. Can I therefore thank all our members that came, and gave their time expertise, and their help, as well the display of their bikes, and a very resounding thank you for all your efforts on behalf of the branch?

The Surrey branch represented the NOC at the Ardingly, October Classic Bike Show. The day started very well, as the sun was out, and the day being far better than it had been in many of the previous years for this October event. Starting the P11A Ranger 750, at about 7.30am in the morning, would not have, been something my neighbours would have liked to have heard that early in the morning. The ride down to the show was on the dangerous side, as the sun being very low in the sky, I was being dazzled by it so many times. It went away a few times when I passed by roads, that had a large amount of tree coverage, but having the sun in your eyes, can be a very dangerous prospect, when riding down those country roads.

Arriving at about 8.40am the gazebo was up and ready to be used and some of the bikes were already lined up in the front, in a very orderly fashion. There was the normal hive of activity, around our stand, with David Brown, the power house of the Surrey branch, his normal very efficient self, who was ably assisted, by the rest of the branch, which included, Graham Holcombe, Bill Plummer, Malcolm King, Phil and Robert Tuck. To Simon Smith we have to give a huge vote of thanks as without Simon and his truck with his trailer, we at the Surrey branch would not have such an amazing display to put on at both our Ardingly shows, as well as our other events that we attend throughout the year.

This was another great Ardingly show, which was opened to the visiting enthusiasts at 10am, that was so very well attended. There was an excellent camaraderie, on our stand, which was provided, by friends both old and new. The good weather brought out the crowds, with a good selection of show bikes as well as the many club stands. The auto-jumble was the largest that I had ever seen at the Ardingly show, and it was so very busy, with both buyers and traders. There were so many different traders selling a huge variety of parts that would have been sought after by the many enthusiasts looking for those elusive parts for their own restorations.

Julie Diplock and her highly effective staff organise and run, an outstanding well run and organised show, which has gained in huge popularity over the many years that it has been in existence. Julie is always on hand to give assistance whenever anyone at her shows requires her time and her help.

Julie Diploc on my P11A Ranger 750

The Surrey stand had a small corner given over for the sales of a small selection from the NOC’s, merchandise items that was brought along and administered, by Andy Linton, and very ably assisted by his wife, Hazel. Andy’s 1968 P11A Ranger 750 won a first in its class at the show.

John Summerfield, David Carpenter, and Andy Neal came along to support the branch, and we are hoping that next year, Andy will have his ex WD 16H up and running, and for him to be able to display it for us. John Summerfield is in the process of restoring his 1951 ES2 which we hope he will have completed also for a future date, to be able to display it on our ever-increasing branch stand of owner’s bikes. John was very impressed with the high quality of our branch’s presentation. Henry Dulat the Surrey branches electrical boffin came along to support us, and Henry is recovering after he was knocked off his bike by a myopic car driver, when out riding his Norton Dominator. The Surrey branch had a very well-presented range of bikes whose ages ranged from the 1930’s up until the early 1970’s. All together we had 18 bikes on display, and the number of bikes we are getting is increasing with every Ardingly show that we are attending.

Simon Warren brought along his 1957 500 Manx which had been in the previous ownership of the late great and very much-lamented Bob Macintyre. This was started for the delight of the assembled audience in the Fire-up Paddock. This was instigated at 11am, and also at 1pm. Simon needed petrol to get his Manx to run, so he took some of the petrol from the petrol tank of my P11A Ranger 750 so that he was able to get his Manx to be able to be started. This to the delight of those that assembled to watch this happen. Simon also won a first place in the competition class for his Manx racer.

Max Groves brought along two bikes, and his 1953 350 Manx was one of the bikes on display in the fire up paddock. Howard Robinson, who is at this moment in time in the process of restoring his Mk2A Commando which he has dismantled, brought along for display his 1980 Laverda Mirage. This Howard was given a second place for in the pre 1980 class.

We had so many visitors, with so many questions about their bikes, as well as where we held our meetings, and wanting to become members of the Surrey branch, as well as the NOC. There were two that came to see us to ask about their bikes, one about a Manxman that he wanted to buy. He was very able assisted, by the in-depth Dominator knowledge of Phil Hannam. The other one came about his January 1964 N15CS which had the letter N stamped after the G15CS / mark, which I had never seen before. There were so many variations stamped on the crankcases back then, and I am always seeing and learning of different ways that the AMC factory at Plumstead marked their export bikes. The owner would now be very happy to learn that he really does own a correct January 1964 Norton N15CS.

I would like to thank all those of the Surrey branch that brought along their bikes, helped with the set up of the stand, and the dismantling of it at the end of the show. The day flew by and then it was time for us to pack it all away and then for us all to leave. The next Ardingly Classic Bike show for the Surrey branch will be on the 30 March 2025, and we invite you all to come along and partake in this glorious event that Julie Diplock organises.

I have to finish on a very sad note, as the Surrey branch lost two of its members this year. Mike Duffell was our Facilities Officer, who brought all our equipment to the shows that we attended. Mike brought it all in his open trailer and also exhibited his ex Des Craig 350cc Manx, Des Craig was Mike’s cousin so he was related to the Craig family. His Manx won an award at the Ardingly show once. Mike gave up the Facilities Officer duties due to it becoming very difficult for him in his later years. Mike was still able to attend our club nights as many times Simon Smith would collect him and bring him along. Our other member who so sadly passed away, was Dick Thurley who was our Treasurer, when the branch was first started, and he did a very good job for the branch. Dick also helped us at the Brookland’s Days that we attended, and with his wife Jo, they looked after the helmet park, for those who wanted to leave their helmets in a safe place. Dick and his wife moved up north, and we were informed of his sad passing by Peter White who originally started the Surrey branch. We are diminished by their so very sad passing, so I therefore want to dedicate this to both of their memories.

As this narrative now comes to an end, and this is now late in November when I complete it, the Surrey Branch AGM, has been and gone, and we have had a minute silence for both of our former branch members at the AGM. As someone once said that we die twice, once when the last breath leaves our bodies, and when the last person says our name. At the AGM, I got up to to talk about them both. As we have a member of the year trophy, I put it to the branch to dedicate this trophy and rename it the Mike Duffell Member of the Year Trophy, as a dedication to Mike Duffell. So therefore, Mike will always be remembered by the branch, and every year we shall say his name so he will never ever be forgotten by us all

Anthony Curzon Surrey Branch Press Officer

The Surrey branch of the NOC joined in with a Motorcycle Day at their club room location at the Stepping Stones public house on Saturday 5 October 2024. This was organised by the publican’s landlady Tina, who had asked all the motorcycle clubs that used the pub, for their own club room. This included, the Triumph OC, the Velocette OC, the AJS&M OC, the AMOC (or the American Motorcycle OC), the Suzuki OC, and the SNOC.

The Surrey section had nine members ride their bikes come along to display them. Seven with Norton’s and two members who came along to support us with their Japanese and a new Triumph. The weather was better than expected and was good for us all though out the day. There was a good turnout of bikes from all the other clubs that attended this event. over 70 throughout the day. Tina laid on extra food for those that wanted to eat and the bar was crammed with their respective motorcycle owners.

I rode down with Robert and Phil Tuck to the Stepping Stones and when we got there the reserved bike parking area it was beginning to fill up with all the owner’s club’s bikes. The AJS &MOC had some very good-looking older bikes on display. One such bike was a V twin AJS which looked like it was built in the 1920’s. The owners granddaughter came on the back and when it was started she got on the back and off they went with many admirers looking on. There was very well restored Sunbeam Model 90, as well many other vintage bikes on display.

Those of the Surrey branch that brought along their bikes were: –

Robert Tuck 1960 600cc Dominator De-luxe

Phil Tuck 1968 Atlas

Anthony Curzon 1968 P11A Ranger 750

Phil Hannam 1961 650 with a Manxman engine

David Cooper 1932 Model 30 500cc International

Max Groves 1964 Atlas

Nick What 2024 TVS 961 Commando

John Summerfield came on his Yamaha XT660X, Paul Smith on his Laverda Jota and Martin came on his more modern Triumph.

We were asked to display our bikes at the back of the car park and this is covered in a very deep layer of shingles. This made moving bikes around difficult. Robert and Phil Tuck did manage to find some pieces of wood to go under our prop stands. There was a good mix of different motorcycles and cultures and it was a very relaxed and social gathering. The weather was kind to us and this looks like it will be a yearly event for the Stepping Stones public house.

The ride home was uneventful, apart from when I thought I had hit a pot hole, causing the whole of my Ranger jumped to one side. The bike being a desert racer, with the high and wide handle bars, I held on tight and gave a bit of throttle. She shook the front end briefly and off she proceeded. Robert later informed me it was some piece of large debris that I had run over on the road, which he saw behind me.

 Anthony  – September 2024