laird387 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Hi, The Norton 500T was a thoroughly traditional British trials machine, in other words, cobbled together from road machine bits! They also made a 350T, but I'm not sure that ever got past the 'evaluation' stage into actual production - but I do know that my old mate, Peter Roydhouse, sadly now long gone, had one stashed in the rafters of his garage. But the 500Ts were not unsuccessful in their day, as seen here in the hands of Cheltenham rider, Felix Burke, spotted by Bill Cole in the Gloucester and Cotswold club's Hurran trial on 1st April 1950. I have previously remarked that photographer Bill Cole's viewpoint was an excellent choice in that it actually shows the steepness of the climb but a little more research since last we saw the view is that the section is just behind the 'Greyhound' pub in Littledean. So over now to any TC sleuths in the Dean Forest area - is the Greyhound pub still there - is it still called the 'Greyhound' or has it been themed......... Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyb Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Hi Nice photo. The Greyhound pub is indeed still there and unchanged for years. There is a big model dinosaur in the front garden peering into the road I assume bought on a whim(why else) The area around the pub is very hilly so ideal for trials. Regards Martyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted February 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 Hi, It is 1998 and riders have gathered at Beauval in Normandy for the St Cucufa Memorial trial - renamed the 'Normandy' trial. As the sole surviving member of the original St Cucufa trial organising committee, when it was held in the forest on the north-western outskirts of Paris, I was invited as 'Guest of Honour' of the organisers, what an experience - but that is another story. The weather was not kind, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, including this young rider, Stephane Noel on his Norton 500T. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 (edited) Hi, Sorry - just couldn't resist this shot of a Norton 500T. Sadly it will have to be a puzzle picture, the negatives had escaped from their sleeves so the marking as to where and when eludes me - I know the rider's face and I know it was a pre-65 trial in the South Midlands area - but other than that - over to you! Enjoy. (My prayers have been answered, Graham Howes another of the local riders, who took part in my British Bike series, rang to remind me that the Norton rider is Cyril Smith.) Edited March 22, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Hi, Very much an all-rounder in his early days, Geoff Duke rode Nortons in both trials and scrambles, indeed represented Great Britain in the first Belgian Motocross des Nations. Here he is seen in an unknown trial in 1948. He wasn’t just an average rider, a regular at the Victory Reunion Dinner, where he is proudly introduced as a past winner of the Victory trial. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 (edited) Hi, Andrew Bedwell, past winner of his class in the 'Jack Thompson' trial, with his Norton 500T. One description of the event read: " Time once again for the picturesque chestnut woods surrounding the Kentish International Motocross course of ‘Canada Heights’ to reverberate to the staccato bark of classic trials irons. "There is nothing quite like the sounds of a big fourstroke on full song as it roars up a steep climb. On Sunday the woodland will again be filled with these wonderful sounds as an array of Classic British trials motorcycles tackle the sections of the now very popular and well established ‘Jack Thompson’. "All the favourite old woodland sections are as they have always been, but time has been taken to revise those along the big sand bank to make them more interesting and varied. "The ‘Thompson’ is very much the baby of Clerk of the Course Steve Potten and his small but dedicated team, and aims to provide everyone with a first class classic event that can be ridden and enjoyed by all levels of competitor and machine. Over the years the event has grown in popularity mainly due to the fact that the accent has always been placed on enjoyment rather than the current trend of many events for severity. "There seems little point in riders struggling all day and going home bruised and disillusioned. "There will be three laps of fifteen sections on a variety of terrain: from sandy climbs up and down banks, to good old fashioned mud, tree roots, rocks, and flat out blasts up nice big climbs." Couldn't have put it better myself. Enjoy. Edited March 4, 2014 by laird387 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Hi, To mark my 1000th posting on TC here is Jim Susans with his Norton 500T. Enjoy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Hi, Happy to see a friendly face peering out of my pile of 'Lost' negatives is a rider from our Midland Classic era - very early in the pre-65 scene. It is Mick Worthy with his totally original - and inevitably immaculate - Norton 500T - but where or when, any ideas? Enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 Hi, Brian 'Tiger' Payne coaxes his Norton 500T onwards and upwards in an early 1970s Shawforth Shake. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Hi, Bill Hill, an early member of the Yorks Classic club, with his Norton 500T in 1994. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Hi, Seen on his Norton 500T in the 1972 Ilkley Reunion trial, Bill Milner who along with brother Roger undertook many duties in the Yorkshire centre and helped organise and keep running smoothly many of the sporting activities. The brothers were among the small band of riders allowed to try the Norton 350T models at the Bracebridge works. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Hi, Chuck Ham with his Norton 500T - having problems with a sticking gear selector. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted March 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 Hi, This is Stan Robinson with his 'trials' Norton rigid based on the WD model 16H sidevalve - the Bracebridge Street offering for Despatch Riders immediately prior to the 1939-45 war. The squaddies hated them with a passion! Stan had a specialist garage in the Rossendale area concentrating on MOT's with all the bells and whistles, but also in the building was the most marvellous collection of sporting motorcycles of every age and description. Stan was a true enthusiast, sadly he was struck down with cancer and died very shortly after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 (edited) Hi, An interesting variation on the Norton theme spotted at an early Shawforth Shake. Enjoy. (This, with help from sparks, is Gary Farrar, Thanks again, Deryk) Edited April 26, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted April 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Hi, Mick Worthy on his Norton 500T, riding in one of my favourite trials in the whole calendar, the Tour of Islwyn, seen here in 1993. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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