Beschreibung:

Introduced at the 1927 Motor Cycle Show, the ES2 sports roadster used the Model 18's overhead-valve engine in the cradle frame of the overhead-camshaft CS1, and from then onwards the 'ES2' designation was always applied to Norton's top-of-the-range, overhead-valve single. The ES2 was built in several versions during a production run lasting until 1963, though the engine dimensions of 79x100mm bore/stroke - first adopted by James Lansdowne Norton in 1911 - remained unchanged to the end. Post-war developments included the adoption of Roadholder telescopic forks (1947), an alloy cylinder head (1955), alternator electrics (1959) and the slimline version of the race-developed Featherbed frame, introduced on the single-cylinder range for 1961. Production of all of Norton's traditional singles ended in 1963, though the 'ES2' model name lived on until 1966, in its latter years referring to AMC's Matchless G80, suitably re-badged as a Norton. This matching-numbers ES2 has been in single family ownership since June 1951 when it was purchased by the lady vendor's late father. On the latter's death the Norton was registered in the name of his son, who later passed it on to his sister, the current owner. Fully restored in 1996 by a Mr Carter in Cheshire, 'KWT 438' has been kept garaged since and is described as in generally excellent condition. The machine is offered with old-style logbook and Swansea V5 registration document.