Dear Editor
Thanks for your great magazine. I have every edition from No.1. I was recently given a photo of a motorcycle that I remember riding on as a nine year old passenger.
It was a very special Norton which was built by my older brother. In 1951 as a fifteen year old apprentice fitter and turner at Cockatoo Docks and Engineering he was given an old engine block and frame. Over the next 3 years, my brother John ( Jack ), with some help from friends at work and many tram trips from Crows Nest back and forth across the Coat Hanger to Allspares in Goulburn Street and other suppliers he produced the magnificent machine in the photo. Joe Leach on Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, fitted a high compression O/S piston to the bored crankcase and O/S stainless inlet valves and Jack did the rest. Other parts, seat, aluminium brake finning, tail light shroud etc., self made. Some components i.e. 10 gallon petrol tank, mudguards, courtesy of Cockatoo sheet metal shop. A true Cafe Racer of its time. Spec’s : Capacity 490cc, Bore 79+mm, Stroke 100mm, Comp.ratio 7.5-1, Carb. 376 Amal Monobloc (270 main), Engine Sprocket 19 tooth, Gear Ratios 4.9,5.93,8.67,14.6.
Jack is 89 now. Stopped riding his FJ1200 a couple of years ago. I sent him a subscription of OBA a couple of issues ago. Hope he sees this if you can include it in your fine magazine and if the photo is good enough.
Terry Langford.
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