Highlights
- Matching numbers
- Only two owners since 2000
- Freshly constructed by a longstanding motorcycle enthusiast and collector
- Perfectly captures the spirit of the Ton-Up age
- Numerous bespoke parts
The Appeal
From their conception in the 1950s, in the back gardens of oily-fingered young men who fancied themselves as the next Geoff Duke, the appeal of café racers has never faded.
Though their mainstream popularity may have peaked by the mid-1960s, when every leather-clad Ton-Up Boy hankered after a Triton to get from the Ace Cafe to Box Hill faster than anyone else, since then their flame has been sustained by die-hard enthusiasts, who have invested time, thought and money into making café racers realize their greatest potential.
Though their mainstream popularity may have peaked by the mid-1960s, when every leather-clad Ton-Up Boy hankered after a Triton to get from the Ace Cafe to Box Hill faster than anyone else, since then their flame has been sustained by die-hard enthusiasts, who have invested time, thought and money into making café racers realize their greatest potential.
One of the great British road bikes of the ’60s was the Norton Atlas, a bored-out development of the famous Dominator with a mighty 55 bhp, 750cc twin and the hallowed Featherbed frame.
Originally intended for the American market, where big engines were much in demand, it was marketed in Britain from 1964 and became quite an object of desire in the twilight years of the Ton-Up generation.
Originally intended for the American market, where big engines were much in demand, it was marketed in Britain from 1964 and became quite an object of desire in the twilight years of the Ton-Up generation.
While the Triton has its place in history as the most famous and celebrated café racer, its sacred reputation stems from the fact that, in the late 1950s, the combination of a Triumph 650 twin and a Norton Featherbed frame was pretty much unsurpassed when it came to building a fast café racer that handled well.
Had café racers not taken off until 1964, the Atlas 750 would surely have been the engine of choice. Instead, it came along too late to win the status it merits.
Had café racers not taken off until 1964, the Atlas 750 would surely have been the engine of choice. Instead, it came along too late to win the status it merits.
Even so, some people have seen its potential for a first-class café racer, like the one offered for sale.
Freshly built – there is just one mile on the odometer – by a classic motorcycle enthusiast and collector of many years’ standing, it looks phenomenal and, we are assured, goes very well, too.
It’s unique, it’s never been shown before, and it’s guaranteed to draw an admiring crowd.
Freshly built – there is just one mile on the odometer – by a classic motorcycle enthusiast and collector of many years’ standing, it looks phenomenal and, we are assured, goes very well, too.
It’s unique, it’s never been shown before, and it’s guaranteed to draw an admiring crowd.
The History and Paperwork
- In single ownership from 2000 to 2017
- Purchased by the vendor as a project in 2017
- Fully rebuilt as a period-correct 1960s café racer in 2018 and not used since
- Paperwork consists of the current V5 and a list of new parts used and work undertaken by the vendor
The Condition
- Freshly built – everything virtually as new
- Slimline Featherbed frame
- All the components of a classic café racer, including aluminium racing tank, racing seat and clip-on handlebars
On the one hand, it’s difficult to believe that so much of this bike is brand-new when it looks like it’s been lifted straight out of a black-and-white snapshot from a Rockers’ ride to Margate in 1967.
On the other hand, it’s hard to believe the rest of it is 55 years old when it’s all so immaculate. Essentially, it’s a classic bike with a lot of new parts, all put together seamlessly by a builder who knew exactly what he was doing so that the finished look is just right.
On the other hand, it’s hard to believe the rest of it is 55 years old when it’s all so immaculate. Essentially, it’s a classic bike with a lot of new parts, all put together seamlessly by a builder who knew exactly what he was doing so that the finished look is just right.
The Slimline frame is in excellent condition and all the necessary parts have been fitted to get the café racer look, including the racing seat and fuel tank. As the centrepiece of the bike, the fuel tank has to look spot-on, and so it does, being bright but not blindingly shiny, and it should mellow very well with age and use.
It’s actually a brand-new tank of five-gallon capacity, hand-made in England, and the seat is also a brand-new item.
It’s actually a brand-new tank of five-gallon capacity, hand-made in England, and the seat is also a brand-new item.
We feel we should highlight the bespoke mudguard and headlight brackets, too. Decorated with an Ace of Clubs, Ace of Spades and Iron Cross motif, these are beautiful pieces in themselves and they give the bike an extra degree of individuality.
Further new parts are as follows:
- New aluminium mudguards front and rear
- Hand-made stainless steel clip-on handlebars
- New wheels built by the vendor, a trained wheelwright, with stainless spokes and aluminium rims
- Aluminium café racer oil tank
- Hand-made stainless steel chain guard
- New stainless steel tank straps
- New aluminium top yoke
- New clock mounts
- New headlight with ammeter
The Mechanics
- Engine starts and runs splendidly
- Twin carburettor upgrade and many new parts
- Only ridden one mile since the rebuild
You may think you’ve seen some low-mileage bikes before, but you’ve probably not had a chance to buy one as low-mileage as this.
Since the vendor completed this bike’s rebuild in 2018, it joined his large collection of classic motorcycles and was not used until the day of our photoshoot, hence it is offered for sale with only one mile on the clock.
Since the vendor completed this bike’s rebuild in 2018, it joined his large collection of classic motorcycles and was not used until the day of our photoshoot, hence it is offered for sale with only one mile on the clock.
While it may be tempting to assume that anything which has not been used for four years must naturally require some recommissioning, we are assured that such is not the case here.
The vendor has stored all his bikes well and kept on top of maintenance even when not using them, so we feel confident that the Norton will not have deteriorated during its time in storage.
It was ridden to the photoshoot without any problems and we are able to confirm that it starts most obligingly and runs very well. It certainly appears well put together, and we’re sure it would pass an MoT with ease.
The vendor has stored all his bikes well and kept on top of maintenance even when not using them, so we feel confident that the Norton will not have deteriorated during its time in storage.
It was ridden to the photoshoot without any problems and we are able to confirm that it starts most obligingly and runs very well. It certainly appears well put together, and we’re sure it would pass an MoT with ease.
The engine itself is a thing of beauty. As would be expected with a bike which has just been assembled, it is extremely clean with no evidence that we could see of leaking oil or fuel.
The superb, shining exhaust pipes set it off magnificently.
The superb, shining exhaust pipes set it off magnificently.
Significant mechanical parts fitted during the rebuild include:
- New rear shock absorbers
- Twin carburettor upgrade with two new Amal concentric carburettors
- New brass fuel taps
- New chain
- New clutch
- New clutch and brake controls
- New throttle
- Vented twin leading-shoe front brake
- Electronic ignition
- New exhaust system including downpipes and silencers
Summary
If you fancy a café racer, but you’re looking to buy one ready-made rather than building your own, you could be stepping into a bit of a minefield.
If it was built a long time ago, how do you know it isn’t tired and worn out? And if it was built recently, can you feel sure the builder was really up to the job?
It can be tricky, which is why you should buy this one. It’s a fresh build by an experienced and enthusiastic restorer, and the quality of the workmanship is there for you to see.
Not only is it extremely well-assembled, the whole assembly looks just right and the icing on the cake is the prodigious Atlas engine, which will easily push you past the ton should you ever feel inclined.
Let’s not mince our words: it’s one of the best café racer builds we’ve seen.
If it was built a long time ago, how do you know it isn’t tired and worn out? And if it was built recently, can you feel sure the builder was really up to the job?
It can be tricky, which is why you should buy this one. It’s a fresh build by an experienced and enthusiastic restorer, and the quality of the workmanship is there for you to see.
Not only is it extremely well-assembled, the whole assembly looks just right and the icing on the cake is the prodigious Atlas engine, which will easily push you past the ton should you ever feel inclined.
Let’s not mince our words: it’s one of the best café racer builds we’ve seen.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
