Description
The 500T was Norton’s answer to the trials successes of its rivals AMC and Royal Enfield. Built from a mixture of ES2 and 16H parts, the large and heavy original design was refined in 1949 with a shorter wheelbase and much lighter components. Considerable competition success followed and this model remains much rarer than trails bikes of the same era.
The previous owner purchased this example in 1991 from trials rider Maurice Arden ( Big John Products ) with the view of competing himself. It was maintained by Conquest Motorcycles over the years which included an engine rebuild with a new big-end and crankshaft assembly being fitted prior to him competing in the Arbuthnot trail in 2023. The competition BTH mag was also rebuilt.
Norton produced a single batch of about 300 500T's in 1949, most of which were used in competition in one form or another. XGG188 is a fine example, not pristine as this is competition bike that has been used for what it was intended, but a great example that is ready to be used.
Supplied with the current UK V5 logbook and a Norton Owners Club dating cert. stating the date of manufacture as 6th Dec. 1950 but fitted with a correct type of 500T engine dated 31st March 1950.
