1930 had not been a spectacular year for the Bracebridge concern, their model range was still firmly rooted in the twenties, however, the overhead camshaft models conceived by Walter Moore had been scrutinised by the newly installed chief designer, John Carroll, who undertook a complete redesign and by the time of the Ulster Grand Prix the new machines were meeting with considerable success. Although Carroll, assisted by Edgar Franks and development engineer Joe Craig had taken the Moore engine as a starting point little of the earlier engines design remained in the new power unit, instead Carroll adopted the best features of the various overhead camshaft designs extant and incorporated them into his own. The result was undoubtedly one of the greatest motorcycle engines ever produced, which with continual development and the addition of a second camshaft, would remain at the heart of Norton's competition activities until the beginning of the sixties.
Although a few machines fitted with the new engine are believed to have emerged from the factory for purchase by individuals towards the end of 1930, it was not until 1931 that the new engine became officially available replacing the Moore engines in the CS1 And CJ models. These were joined in 1932 by a pair of machines intended primarily for competition, equipped with a racing magneto, four speed gearbox, tuned engine and quick action filler caps typed the Model 40 and Model 30 for the 350cc and 490cc versions respectively and named the "International". Although conceived as racing machines a mag-dyno enabling a lighting set to be fitted and a silencer were offered as options. The new machines quickly established themselves as one of the most desirable machines available for sporting riders to the detriment of the CJ and CS1 which, although cheaper, did not have the panache of the Inter's and were regarded as being unnecessarily complex by touring riders who would opt for one of the overhead valve models.
This example of the 490cc variant has recently been repatriated from Japan. Presented in good overall condition it is believed to date from 1937/38 and is equipped with a full lighting set.
PLEASE NOTE: Modifications from original include the fitting of:
8" racing front hub, Alloy rims, Racing petrol tank, Oil tank, Manx cylinder head and barrel.
The motorcycle was originally sent to the U.S.A. and then sold to the present owner in Japan.
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