The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection, 1955 Norton 497cc Dominator 88 Frame no. 13...

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection 1955 Norton 497cc 'Dominator 88' Registration no. not registered Frame no. 13 89656 Engine no. 59680 K12 Norton jumped aboard the vertical-twin bandwagon in 1948 when it introduced the Model 7. Designed by the legendary Bert Hopwood, the new 500cc engine went into the existing ES2 chassis, a marriage that necessitated a redesign of Norton's well-proven four-speed gearbox. In November 1951 Norton's 500cc twin found a new home in the racing singles' 'Featherbed' duplex frame. Initially for export only, the newcomer - titled 'Dominator 88' - was the first production Norton roadster to feature the lightweight, race-proven chassis. Updated year by year, the Dominator had received an alloy cylinder head, full-width hubs, welded rear sub-frame, alternator electrics and coil ignition by the decade's end and - for 1960 - the narrower 'slimline' Featherbed frame among countless other improvements. Motor Cycle magazine clocked 92mph on an '88' in 1957 and, needless to say, the handling and roadholding were found to be first class. This Dominator 88 was acquired by Tony East in May 1993. The machine is offered with an original maintenance manual; Franks' Book of the Norton; a factory brochure; bills totalling £4,418 relating to its full restoration in 1996 by Bryan Small; and a quantity of MoTs showing the mileage total increasing from 58,362 in May 1993 to 60,991 in May 2008, and increase of 2,629 miles in 15 years. It should be noted that the frame number's '13' prefix indicates that it started life in a Model 50. There is no registration document with this Lot. Footnotes: All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Lot to be sold without reserve. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com