Ever find yourself with seller’s regret? Of all the engines I’ve had, two stand out to me. One was a Villiers W-X11, the other and more importantly to this article, a Norman T300. With my roots in racing and repairing motorcycles, the London based Norman Engineering Co also starting with motorcycles has always been appealing to me. Thankfully for me, the host of this here website, Liam, pointed me in the direction of an interesting Norman generating set that needed a new home. So that weekend, I set off to Devon to bring the set to the safety of Dorsetshire!
I’ve seen a fair few Norman-Lyon sets either online or at rallies, but all of them were the direct-drive version. So, if like me you are unfamiliar with this variant, here is some details for you: Assembled by Arthur Lyon & Co pre and during World War Two, this is the Petrol Electric Test Set was supplied to the Air Ministry with serial number 1197, featuring a small dynamo ‘exciter’ for the larger 24v 1.2kva alternator. The engine itself is the MK1 version of the T300, engine number TE11419 from early 1945.
The eagle eyed among you would have already noticed one rather large issue with my set. The main alternator is AWOL! I’m hoping it was taken to replace a failed one rather than scrapped for its parts, but either way It’s a bit of a let-down. Interestingly though, its gained the electrical parts from the direct drive version, fitted to a piece of board and bolted to the frame. Electrics are not my strong suit so some learning will be needed, maybe best I only have the smaller dynamo to deal with.
Mechanics on the other hand, I do understand. The Norman needed some attention to bring some life back into it, the carb was full of what I can only describe as gunk, and it seemed that every screw and adjustment on the magneto was loose. An evening fettling later, fuel to the cylinders and a strong spark (or two) was returned and to the displeasure of my neighbours, the flat twin fired into life. Said neighbours would have been quickly aware of the next issue, the right-hand exhaust pipe had completely rusted through, not helped by a previous owners’ repair of half a bean can jubilee clipped over the hole! Thankfully we have some damn useful people in this hobby, and one Phillip Gallimore had been producing brand new pipes for this model of engine. Already by the time of writing this, those replacement pipes have arrived and are ready to be installed.
So, my main plan for the set at the moment, is to get it looking presentable and making power from the one dynamo. I’ve already split the engine from the frame, and the frame into various pieces to strip off the Hammerite, then replace with something more suitable. Paint records for Lyon sets are not well documented but there are traces of a navy-blue colour underneath, so I reckon that’ll be my choice. The plan is to bring you at least one update in the future, possibly around the time the sets nearing completion or out to its first show.
If any of you lovely folk have any more information, own one yourself, or maybe have any of the missing parts, please do leave a comment and let me know! Clicking the logo below will take to you my Youtube channel where I post engine videos daily. Also welcome to contact me there!
You must be logged in to like this post.
Country: GB
