1939 Norton 490cc ES2
Frame no. 5-100544
Engine no. 91217

Introduced at the 1927 Motor Cycle Show, the ES2 sports roadster used the Model 18's overhead-valve engine in the cradle frame of the overhead-camshaft CS1, and from then onwards the 'ES2' designation was always applied to Norton's top-of-the-range overhead-valve single. The ES2 was built in several versions during a production run lasting until 1963, though the engine dimensions of 79x100mm bore/stroke - first adopted by James Lansdowne Norton in 1911 - remained unchanged to the end. Post-war developments included the adoption of an alloy cylinder head (1955), alternator (1959) and the slim-line version of the Featherbed frame introduced on the single-cylinder range for 1961. Production of all of Norton's traditional singles ended in 1963, though the 'ES2' designation was later applied to a re-badged Matchless. The late pre-war example offered here features the rare period options of plunger rear suspension and the large-capacity fuel tank. Forming part of a museum collection in Lugano, Switzerland until 2007, the Norton is described as in generally good condition and offered with Swiss registration documents. Import duty will be payable if the machine remains within the EU.