Iconic British motorcycles, the Manx Norton.

[@larsblankenfjell9814]

First time on this channel Fantastic Video, I had a friend who drove the Isle of Man many times, he was a swede named Billy Andersson, he loved the British bikes, especially the Norton Manx, he renovated many of these bikes, who now keep them as collective Bikes. Billy was a genius Bike mechanic, ha even renovated 2 of my Harley knuckle Heads, to an outstanding performance, that still runs today. Unfortunately he passed away 10 years ago. He was the guy who made my dream come thru He together with a race building boats guy, constructed his own engine, and beat the whole Swedish elit with it, he was really one of a kind person, he even fought in the Finish Winter war. He could listen to my engine I had before 1942 HD war machine, and it didn't go well, he just went away to pick the right part, and installed it, and the bike was running perfect. The old guys who were racing the Isle of Man, probably knows who he was.

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for sharing

[@larsblankenfjell9814]

@@BikerTorque Thanks for an interesting channel

[@roybigg9729]

Veary nice clip and the history of these bikes credit to you sharing it with us all and the riders who rode them in anger all the best from the UK

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching. We really love being able to share these stories

[@ThrottleDownunder]

Ross best one yet. And that's the best sounding bike I've ever heard

[@BikerTorque]

Cheers Rob, yes it sounds epic, video doesn’t do it justice.

[@BikerTorque]

Also a story I’m really proud of and so glad we can share.

[@ThrottleDownunder]

@@BikerTorque absolutely 💯

[@danpos1971]

Incredible story! This was one of the best youtube videos I have seen, I love the Norton Manx. I have been watching them race since I was 18 at the Vintage TT races. I push started one at one of those races. I was that kid hanging out in the pitts year after year, just admiring and listenung to whoever would talk to me. I bought a Triumph Bonneville rolling wreck when I was 17, rebuilt it and was riding it by 18. That was 40 years ago. I'm still riding it.

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. We’ve got a couple of other videos with Dave, one just re-released on his Egli Vincent, and will be cutting one up soon on his AJS “Boy Racer”

[@danpos1971]

I just watched that video. I like your videos a lot. Looking forward to the AJS 7R video. I watched Dan Roper race one at a Vintage TT race. I have four old Vintage bikes. So I appreciate videos like this a lot.

[@BigBert]

How cool is having all that history and the bike to boot. Congratulations and another awesome motorcycle story Ross

[@rossstanford316]

Pretty cool bike Big Bert, thanks for watching, glad you liked it.

[@BikerTorque]

👍

[@TheHellTeamTrials]

Thanks Dave and Ross brilliant!

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed it.

[@baumie461]

What a great story! ❤

[@BikerTorque]

Cheers, certainly some wonderful history there.

[@whatsstefon]

What an epic story behind the bike. Freaking love the sound of old tech. Modern bikes just sound like such sewing machines in comparison.

[@BikerTorque]

Cheers Stef, I’d love to do a follow up story with Len Atllee if I can get in touch with him. There’s something about those big singles that sound great.

[@badgers1975]

The sound of a manx and the smell of Castrol R

[@BDHO73]

Nice bike, great history.

[@BikerTorque]

👍

[@RoadsOfOz]

Some fantastic history right there. I am currently reading Circus Life by Don Cox. So far, a very good read.

[@BikerTorque]

It’s on my reading list also.

[@pagano126]

Very proud of my cousin, I blame him for my obsession with all things mechanical! No one else in our family has the charisma of Dave!

[@BikerTorque]

And so you should be, Dave is an amazing story teller. Glad you liked the story

[@Team-fabulous]

I live 5 minutes from where mccandless lived. He took the feather bed frame to triumph first but they weren't interested and then Norton snapped it up.

[@BikerTorque]

Smart move by Norton. Didn’t know that he took it to Triumph first, thanks for sharing.

[@blairmarriott965]

that is awesome , a great tale of a great bike and some very talented riders .....i hope you got to the iomtt .

[@BikerTorque]

Absolutely great bike and riders. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it

[@alexwardle8108]

Brilliant mate , stay lucky be good 👍

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks 👍

[@Mike40M]

I have a -59 350 Manx. Made in a batch for John Surtees. He took another one. One thing not really mentioned is how it is to ride one. It handles about the same as a modern sports bike. Just as any other featherbed framed Norton, but it's lighter. The problem with riding it is that it lacks low end torque. Completely useless under 4000 rpm. At 5000 it starts to pull and I usually don't rev it more than 8000. Mine was fitted with a 5 speed gearbox in -61 in order not to need slipping clutch in the hairpins with fairing fitted.

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for sharing.

[@jochenwagner5170]

I think and know the Featherbed is the grandmother of all modern motorcycle. Best regards 🍀

[@BikerTorque]

Absolutely

[@alan1340]

I would love to own one, and it wouldnt have to be a known and raced bike but I fear the cost of such a beauty would still be beyond my reach. Sad eh. Great story and pics though mate., you tell the story well.

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching Alan, glad to hear you enjoyed the video

[@jacketrussell]

@0:39 - the second bike is an AJS 18? not a Manx Norton.

[@BikerTorque]

Yes, Dave has quite a collection of bikes, not just the Manx, also has an Egli Vincent.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Snortin' Norton

[@BikerTorque]

100%, that’s exactly what it is