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

Surrey Branch at the Warlingham Rugby Club, Classic Car & Bike Show 14.7.2024.

The Surrey Branch represented the NOC at the WRC show on Sunday 14 July 2024.
This was the WRC year number nine for shows and we at the SNOC have been to most of them with a stand and display of Norton bikes.

This year we had twelve members bring along their bikes.
The event had an amazing atmosphere with so much interest in our display of bikes.
The branch also gave a donation to the WRC local charities that they were supporting at this event.

The Surrey branch had a large patch of the grass available for our Club Stand, so all the bikes could be spread out for visitors to look at and ask questions.
Steve Wakeman and his band of stewards and helpers do an incredible job of organizing and getting everyone settled into their own specific locations.
Those of our members that brought along their bikes for our display were as follows:-

Robert Tuck 1960 Dominator 99 De-Lux
Phillip Tuck 1968 750 Atlas
David Copper 1932 500cc Model 30 International
Howard Robinson 1974 850 Commando Interstate
Henry Dulat 1961 600 Dominator 99
Ken Rawlinson 1959 600 Dominator 99 Sport
David Brown 600 Dominator 99 cafe racer, with a Model 77 engine
Simon Smith 1973 750 Commando Roadster
John Summerfield 1929 500cc Model 18
Matt Creighton 1971 750 Commando Roadster
Martin Smith1974 MK2A Commando Roadster.

Martin Smith’s Commando had many Colorado Norton Works upgrades to its rebuild.
These included an electric starter, and some very impressive flat slide carburettors.
The colouring was a very impressive Tangerine Scène.

The top and bottom yokes were of billet alloy, and the front brake hydraulic brake fluid went through the lower yoke. The brake fluid line went into the bottom yoke, and exited out of it. It was so very well made that unless one looked closely it would not have been seen.

The bike also had a Corbin gunfighter seat. If Norton had produced a bike like Martin’s one, I am so very sure they would have sold so many more Commando’s.

The weather was good for the day, so we were not troubled by rain.

The SNOC branch has many other events planned that we shall be attending again this year, and we shall be having a stand at the Ardingly show on the 27 October 2024.

                                        Dave Cooper with his 1932 Norton International 

Martin Smith, and his CNW spec 1974 Mk2A Commando Roadster

                                      Henry Dulat and his Dominator

Simon Smith and his Commando

Report by Anthony Curzon 2024

The 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Surrey Branch of the Norton Owners Club was held on Tuesday 26th November 2024 at The Stepping Stones in Westhumble.

Minutes of the AGM will be circulated to Branch Members by the Branch Secretary.

There was a good turnout and every one enjoyed the wonderful buffet after the AGM provided by Tina and her team at The Stepping Stones.

Wonderful AGM Buffet

Surrey Branch at the Ardingly Classic Bike Show 24 March 2024

The Surrey Branch represented the NOC at The South of England Classic Bike Show on the Sunday 24 March 2024.18 members of the Surrey branch brought along their bikes for our display. This display ranged from Dominator twins, to Commando’s, and OHC and OHV singles. David Carpenter could not bring along his two Manx Norton models due to a flat tyre on his trailer. David Cooper our secretary could also not make it due to a very bad cold that prevented him from riding to the show. We could have had 25 bikes on our stand, but there were the two racers that went over to the Mike Braid display, and the two West Kent members who had to put their bikes on a location opposite us.

Some of the Surrey Branch Members

For the Sunday event, the weather Gods smiled on us, as the sun was out all day. The last four events at Ardingly we have had very heavy rainfall, which did not help with the attendance of these wonderful events. The show opens to the public at 10am, and the Surrey branch stand was as per usual a hive of very intensive activity. There was Graham Holcombe, Bill Plummer, Malcolm King, Max Groves, Simon Smith, Phil and Robert Tuck, and the ever-industrious David Brown, erecting the gazebo and setting up our stand. With out Simon Smith and his pickup truck and the trailer the Surrey branch would not have a gazebo and any stand to erect and would be unable to show at any event. We had a table laid out for our tea and coffee along with the kettle, and the biscuits were laid out for us all. Our members had to make many trips to the toilets to refill the kettle with water.

Sadly, Dave Croxford was unable to attend, and so the JPN Norton theme had to be scaled down. However, there was still some fantastic race-bred machinery for us all to see and hear on the day. There was the Fire-Up paddock that was out side adjacent the Queens Jubilee show hall at 11am and 1pm. There were many racers that were started to the merriment of those that came to observe this momentous event. All those that brought along a bike could collect a 2024 souvenir from the exhibitor’s desk after the prize giving had finished.

Paul Smith with Malcolm King and his Commando Roadster

Paul Smith the chairman of the NOC rode his blue Norton Commando Roadster, to be put on display on our stand. There were four Commando’s in all with two Roadster, and two Interstates. Howard Robinson our treasurer brought along his MK2A Commando Interstate.

I do like to at these events to talk to our members about their bikes, and get their own stories and any history associated with the bikes that they now own and bring along.

David Brown and his newly acquired Model 50

David Brown displayed his newly acquired 350cc 1957 Model 50 that he has been restoring, along with his ex racer, a Dominator 99. The Model 50 is a one-owner bike, and he acquired it after the owner had sadly passed away. His wife kept this Model 50, as she did not know what to do with it. She gave it to a friend of her deceased husband, who after leaving it for six years, in a damp shed decided to sell it. David then was able to buy it, and he restored, all the parts that it required. He rebuilt the Amal Monobloc carburettor, and did the paint work. The bike has a damaged petrol tank lining that will have to be attended to, as David will not be able to ride it until this situation has been sorted. The inside of the tank has the lining, which is beginning to peel off the inside of the petrol tank. Dave has ridden the Model 50, and attended to the mechanical parts of the engine. He has changed the rocker box gaskets, as well some gearbox gaskets. The bike has direction indictors that the previous owner added while he owned it.

Max Groves 1964 Norton Atlas, which he bought from a school caretaker, who then lived about 20 miles from where Max now resides. It was for sale at a NOC rally in 2010. It was all black when Max bought it, and it had 18000 miles on the Speedo, and it now has done 30000, miles. Max has never had the engine apart, and it is still as it was built at the AMC premises in Plumstead. All he has done is change the oils and check the tappets. The only failure that the bike has incurred was due to the electronic ignition. There are two Amal 389 Monobloc carburettors, and one of them is a chopped one with out a float chamber. Max has a added a float chamber extension to the one that has the float chamber on it.

Simon & Lindsey Warren and Simon’s Manx

Simon Warren brought along three of his amazingly restored OHC racers. Simon has nine OHC single Norton’s. He has an ex Bob Macintyre Scarbourgh Gold Cup winning 1957 Model 40 racer. This must have been one of the Joe Potts prepared bikes that Bob Mac rode for him. He has an ex Keith Campbell 1957 350 Manx and this particular bike has won many races in Australia. He was the 1957 350cc World Champion for Moto Guzzi. There is the Desmond Craig Manx who was one of the sons of Joe Craig. Simon is at the moment building some of his other OHC racers, as he does the work himself and Andy Savage does his engine building for him. His 1934 500 that he bought at auction, and the previous owner was the late and very much lamented George Cohen. It has since been completely restored, by Simon. Simon’s wife Lindsey is a beach racer of a very high standard. She has raced on Margate beach in the Molley Mile, and she has been winning in these beach races against some very stiff male opposition.

Phil Hannam the renowned Dominator historian, on that Sunday morning, following a last minute ‘go or no go’ decision headed off to the Ardingly Classic Bike Show, in cold but clear blue skies. The plan being to add his Norton to the other Norton’s that had gathered for the display on the Surrey Branch stand. The yes / no issue had dropped on his shoulders, the previous Friday, when returning home from work in Chichester. His Norton 650 deciding to splutter intermittently while cruising along the A27 towards Portsmouth. That Friday evening and the following Saturday evening with a check of the wiring system that had indicated a few dodgy connections and some dirty earthing connections but nothing serious. The spark plugs were then examined, then the single Amal 930 carb checked and finally his Wassell Electronic Ignition Unit was given a once-over. At which point he discovered that one of the magnets from the trigger rotor was now a collection of chewed up metal fragments stuck to the surviving magnet.

A clean up sorted out the debris problem. The unit was then re-assembled with an estimate being made for the ignition timing. The bike started first kick but was reluctant to rev. In deference to the late hour, further engine running and adjustments were delayed until the next morning. Therefore, early Sunday morning, he kitted up then he headed out to a nearby quiet spot to warm up the engine and fine tune the ignition. This is where the Wassell kit is so user friendly. Two short screws hold the outer cover and the pick-up can be adjusted using a small spanner. Fine-tuning can be done while the engine is running and takes just a minute or two to adjust the timing. The Dual Output coil solved the worry concerning the missing rotor magnet, so with a smooth sounding engine he set off for Ardingly, and got there and back home, with out any further problems with the engine or the bike.

John Duplain brought along for display his incredible Dominator café racer; with a 99 engine of 600cc. John then gave me the story that was associated with this machine. The bike was re-imported from the USA in 1984, and it was then first registered in the UK in 1985. It was purchased by John in May 2007, as a part finished project bike, and he recreated it as a custom style of his younger days. The most difficult modification was removing the tin-ware primary chain casting and replacing them with a set of early Commando alloy castings. The timing side and oil delivery was a challenge, as the top end the cylinder head, was totally flooded with oil after travelling a few miles. A 650cc downdraft cylinder head with twin carburettors, and a set of swept back pipes, with large bore silencers have been fitted. This along with an alloy Slimline petrol tank and a custom made oil tank. The rest of the machine is down to hours of polishing to produce a sixties café racer. John covers over 500 miles a year, going to and enjoying Norton rallies at both home and abroad.

During the day, we had many visitors to our stand, with many enquires, as well as owners of Norton’s wanting our advice and help with their technical questions. We have had SNOC  branch cards printed so that we can hand out to any prospective members who want to join us. One such show goer was intrigued by my prototype Unified Twin engine in the N15CS frame. He saw the petrol tank on the bike and assumed that it was a Norton N15CS desert racer. When he came up close and personal to the bike, he was amazed to see not an Atlas engine and gearbox in that chassis, but this odd looking unit engine there instead. He came over to our stand and asked about that odd bike on displayed out at the front. My colleges on the Surrey stand pointed me out to the inquisitive show goer, to give him an in depth explanation. I explained to him about that engine and its history, and how I had had it recreated to look like what may be Norton, and the then AMC Company may have built and exported to North America to the Berliner Corporation, back in the 1960’s.

This show was very well attend, with packed auto-jumble halls and the bakery stall always doing a huge trade in their amazing bakery items. Julie Diplock and her staff of helpers are always there to help and assist us all. Julie now having a pedal bike to travois the large distances involved with this event.

We had Andy Neal, and John Summerfield who came along to our stand, support us. Andy Neal is at present restoring an ex WD Norton 16H, and John Summerfield is very involved in restoring a 1920’s single cylinder Norton.

The Surrey branch did not come away with any rosettes this time, for winning machines or for our stand, but it is not about winning any thing, but to putting the Norton name and the NOC out to the hearts and minds of those that attend these shows. To show the show goers that Norton did make some amazing bikes, both for the road and also for the racetrack. Therefore, we can say with justifiable pride that we rocked it totally.

The Surrey branch committee are always working very hard to give the branch so many different events for us all to attend. To all those that came to the Ardingly show event for the Surrey branch I give you my heart felt thanks and that on the day we had a display that we in the Surrey branch can be very justifiably proud of. To all those helped set up and take down our stand, your hard work on behalf of the branch is valued to a very high degree.

These are the Surrey Branch members who brought along their bikes for our display

The racing Commandos were on a stand opposite us were as follows, and two of them were brought along by Mike Braid were the ex-works Norton racers.