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 Norton - 500 International
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
7203

Capacity : 500
Model : International
Production : 1932 - 1939
Category : (R) Racing

NORTON

500 International - 1939

The ultimate club racer

To race a Norton before WWII, one had to order an International Super Sport model (350 or 500cc) "to Racing Specification." In 1939, the "Inter" was available for the first time with the square-finned aluminum cylinder head used on the works machines.

Works Replicas

First marketed in 1932, the International was named in honor of the victories achieved by the marque all around the world. The first version was virtually a copy of the machines that had made the Grand Slam in 1931 by winning all seven European 500cc Grands Prix. The improvements made over the years on the works bikes were offered to private buyers as options. For example, the plunger rear suspension used on 1936 works Nortons was catalogued for around $23 in 1938.

Endless Options

The list of options available in 1939 was impressive. It included the famous cylinder head with square finning and cylinder (both in aluminum), rear suspension, a fuel tank with quick-fill cap, a large-capacity oil tank (also rapid fill), a special exhaust pipe, racing tires, handlebar controls, Amal Racing carburetor, BTH magneto, special clutch and a close-ratio gearbox without kick-start. Though the works bikes had been fitted with twin-cam cylinder heads since 1937, in 1939, the International kept its single overhead-camshaft with external rockers. It was still the best-performing 500 club racer at an affordable price.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 490cc (79x100mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke; BTH magneto

Power Rating: 36 hp @ 6000 rpm on 50/50 mix of gasoline/benzol

Valves: overhead-camshaft driven by shaft

Fuel System: Amal Racing carburetor

Transmission: Norton-Burman close-ratio 4-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: girder forks with center spring and side compensators and André steering damper (front); undamped plunger (rear)

Brakes: 8 inch drum (front); 7 inch drum (rear)

Wheels: 21 inch (front); 20 inch (rear)

Weight: 335 lb

Maximum Speed: 115 mph

The ultimate classic bike, this 1939 "Inter" has all the racing equipment – the square-finned cylinder head, rear suspension and racing fuel tank.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.