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Norton 500 Model 18
Years in production: 1947 -54
Engine type: single-cylinder side-valve
four-stroke Bore and stroke: 79 x 100mm Capacity: 490cc Compression ratio:
6.45:1 Power: 21 bhp
Carburettor: Amal Monobloc 276
(1947 Model 18) Ignition: Magneto (prior to 1958) Weight 374 lb (1947 Model 18)
>p speed: 78mph_
Pushrod Norton singles date back to
1922, but their heyday really began in 1924 when they carried the factory to a
string of race victories. That role was to last a scant three years, supplanted
by the more efficient overhead-cam racers. But as roadsters they would continue
until 1963, gradually outclassed in the performance stakes, but offering
occasional reminders of their sporting heritage.
The Model 18 was the first pushrod
Norton, but it adopted a bottom end and 79 x 100mm that went back to the dawn of
the marque. It was followed by a host of variants, including the 600cc Model 19
and sports ES2. The origin of the latter model number is uncertain; one theory
is that it stands for 'Enclosed Springs', as the first Model 18 had exposed
pushrod and return springs.
The ES2 shared its heritage and most
of its fittings with the Model 18. On the immediate f>ost-war models, the most
obvious difference between the two was the ES2's plunger rear suspension.
Post-war the Model 18 was the first pushrod Norton to go back into production in
1946. In 1947, it gained Norton's famous 'Roadholder' front forks, yet retained
a rigid rear end.
The ES2, relaunched that year, had
plunger rear suspension.
While Norton advertised on the basis of the company's racing heritage, in truth
they were simply good, solid sporting singles. Many were used as sidecar tugs,
still more, simply as basic transport. The Model 18 was also sold for trials
use, but from 1949 to 1954 Norton offered a proper trials variant, the rigid
500T with a frame based on the wartime 16H.
A slow process of development followed and in 1953 the ES2 gained the
swinging-arm frame used on the first Dominator twins. In 1954 the rigid Model 18
was phased out and the 600cc Model 19 was reintroduced. A 350cc Model 50, joined
the range in 1956, and a new gearbox with a triangular selection mechanism was
fitted to all the singles. In 1959, the Model 19 disappeared and the smaller
variants found a new home - the revered Featherbed frame. After 1961, the
singles gained the new Slimline frame, and this was the final chapter in their
story. From then, Norton would concentrate on their twins range, while the
1965/66 ES2 Mk2 was nothing more than a cynically rebadged Matchless.
Norton's 'long Roadholder' forks were fitted to the Model 18 from 1947. They
offered good handling at the expense of a slightly heavy appearance at the front
end.
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