After selling my 1949 " Garden Gate" Norton 500cc International a few years ago, I found the perfect Manx project to try the much sought after Featherbed Norton frame and 500cc dohc engine combination at last. The 1961 Manx I purchased came from New Mexico after being in storage for nearly twenty-five years. It has a noteworthy west coast racing history with original owner John McLaughlin (AMA Hall of Fame member) and then Tony Murphy, also known as the " King of Willow Springs" Raceway. Due to its chromed frame, it has become known as
The Silver Bullet.
After figuring out what was needed, parts orders were placed and the work
could begin in earnest. Dick began the task of checking every detail before the build up.
Prying those 40 years old tires off in a cold garage was a chore!
The double overhead cambox exposed.
Production racing motorcycles from the early pre-war period require the talents of s skilled
machinist to get the many tolerances correct.
Anything that was missing or in need of replacement was sourced from Ken McIntosh in New Zealand. Ken sells virtually all parts for the Manx and even complete machines either in standard form or offering the latest in upgrades. In fact, Ken supplied the Manx that 1993 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Kevin Schwantz raced during a recent visit to New Zealand. All parts are of the highest quality in fit and finish.
So much of the Manx's secrets of success are in this picture. The set up of the Rex McCandless 'featherbed' frame and the timing gears of the dohc 500cc single.
That's a genuine Ray Petty brake muff on the front end. The late Petty was regarded as one of the most successful Manx tuners of all time.
It was a happy day when we brought the bike to completion.
Seeing the sun again after many years in boxes and garage storage, it was a sight to behold.
Minutes later we were taking it for a test run up the alley.
When I got the bike, it was fully dismantled and in need of a rebuild. I was fortunate that an fellow manx racer and marque expert, Dick Miles, lives nearby and agreed to take on the project. Without his help, I would be lost. The photos will take you from start to finish over the one and a half year build which brought us to the first race at Roebling Road Raceway, near Savannah, Georgia in 2010.
A minor issue regarding sidelined us and it would be months later, in July before I got to really race the bike for the first time at Mid Ohio, where I finished 3rd in the 500 Grand Prix Class on both Saturday and Sunday. It was an experience I'll never forget. Long live the Manx.
Roebling Road Raceway near Savannah Georgia
AHRMA "Classic 60's" Class 3rd place on day 1 and 2nd place on day 2
Excellent Classic 60's class race action with John and Alex McLean both on 1961
Manx Nortons early in the race.
McLean went by for the win at half distance.
Action photo by Dawn Deppi, Eye of the Beholder photography
