Norton Model 18 and ES2

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 nmber is uncertain; one theory is that it stands for Enclosed Springs, as the first Model 18 had exposed pushrod and return springs.

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 and 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 offered 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 gaines 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 smalled 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 Model 18

• Years in production - 1921-54
• Engine - single cylinder side-valve four-stroke
• Bore and Stroke - 79 x 100mm
• Capacity - 490cc
• Compression ratio - 6.45:1
• Power - 21bhp
• Carburettor - Amal Monobloc 276 (1947 Model 18)
• Ignition - Magneto (prior to 1958)
• Weight - 374lb (1947 Model 18)
• Top speed - 78mph

Norton ES2

• Years in production - 1928-63
• Engine - single cylinder side-valve four-stroke
• Bore and Stroke - 79 x 100mm
• Capacity - 490cc
• Compression ratio - 6.45:1
• Power - 21bhp
• Ignition - Magneto (prior to 1958)
• Top speed - 78mph