Norton ES2

[The Black Baron]

Any experts in the field?

Have been offered a '53 ES2.

New to the classic bike game, so wondering what are the things to look for, pitfalls etc.

I've done the basic googling, but am really after anybody with any information to fill me full of information.


Thanking you.

[spoodler]

Not an expert on ES2s as such but what do you really want to know? I can tell you that they are generally worth more than the cheaper (A.M.C.) singles and not as much as the more expensive (Velo', Goldstar) ones... There are enough about that you should, with a bit of searching be able to find one in the price and condition that you are after. Early rigids are prized for their purity and are more "vintage" feeling; swing arm models handle better and being later have better brakes and forks etc. and they have benefitted from all the developments over the years; plungers are either the best or the worst of both worlds depending on your point of view. There are lots of specification changes over the years and an awful lot of upgrades are possible so firstly decide what it is that you are after - an early rigid is a decidedly different bike to a tuned cafe racer...
Having said that, any of them should be capable of going places at a reasonable rate and you shouldn't feel too threatened by other road users if you stay off the bigger roads - an ES2 was high on my list before I bought my Ariel. Personally I'd track down the owners' club/forums.

Sorry, some of that reads like I haven't taken note of your post - what I really mean is what do you want/expect from it? Now what do you want to know?

Edited by spoodler on Thursday 7th May 11:32

[V8 FOU]

Let me know what you need to know. I have owned / worked on many of these......

[Hooli]

Probably worth a cross post in Biker Banter, there are a surprising number of classics talked about in there,

[The Black Baron]

Whoopsie, I meant to post it in biker area. Is it against the rules to duplicate a thread?

Yes, sorry my query is a bit vague. I was just after some general thoughts on the model, really.

Is it a desirable bike?
What sort of price would be reasonable. It is a regular runner, just a bit untidy I think.
Are parts regularly available?

Just trying to learn a bit before diving in headfirst.

Appreciate the comments, cheers.

[soad]

The Black Baron said:

Whoopsie, I meant to post it in biker area. Is it against the rules to duplicate a thread?

Self-report your Original Post, asking mods to move this thread to Biker's Banter?

Or this one can always be locked, once a duplicate one is created.

[srob]

They are a desirable bike. Price will depend largely on condition, originality (including having matching numbers, including reg) and history.

They made them for many years, and like all bikes got progressively more porky as the years went on. I had one for a while, it was a rigid one and was nice enough although it was a bit scabby. No better than something like a BSA B31 in reality though.

Spares wouldn't be a problem, they made them for donkey's years and they were always more towards the premium end of things, so many survived.

Edited by srob on Thursday 7th May 19:37

[The Black Baron]

Thanks srob.

I know nothing about the matching frame/engine numbers at the moment. Don't want to waste the guy's time without finding a little bit more about the model and general history tbh.

He has it up for mid £3ks and I have no idea if that's a good price, moderate or over the top.

Appreciate you can't really say without knowing a bit more, so I'll keep reading through the owners forums etc.

It just caught my eye at the weekend and I though, "ooh, a Norton. Don't see these very often". It won't be a commuter, just a bit of fun.

Cheers.

[srob]

£3k is a good price. It'll never be worth much (if any) less than that so you can try it and lose nothing

Be good to see some photos when you buy it. You'll love it, one of my mates who's in his mid thirties has just gone from trackdaying a ZX6R to road riding a mid sixties BSA A50 and loves the classic pace of life!