Norton-JAP Sprinter “Thor”

This unique motorcycle is the second of three 1,000cc sprinters built by the late Francis Williams of Saltdean during the 1950s. A former Brooklands competitor, and first-rate engineer, known to his contemporaries as the 'Learned Professor of Sprint', Williams built this hybrid to break the outright motorcycle record at the famous 'Brighton Speed Trials'.

Born in 1898, Williams had his first ride on a motorcycle before WWI, and during those hostilities served as a lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps, scoring five 'kills'. After the war's end he set up a garage business in Tipton, Staffordshire and, encouraged by Tommy De La Hay, took up competitive riding aboard a Cotton-Blackburne, commencing with local hill climbs and then circuit racing at Brooklands. Impressed by his results, Cotton gave him a special sprint frame, and this Blackburne-engined machine - nicknamed 'The Village Fire Engine'  was soon dominating its class.

Tired of being beaten by the 'big bangers', Williams decided to move up a class with the aim of capturing the outright course record at Brighton, his favourite sprinting venue. In the early 1950s Francis commenced work on his first 1,000cc sprinter, using a Norton Featherbed frame and a JAP 8/80 engine. This machine made its debut in 1955 and was later sold to fellow sprinter Basil Keys. Williams' second attempt - the machine offered here - benefited from the many lessons learned with the first: principally its use of stronger crankcases intended for competition in motor racing's 1,100cc class. The engine top-end comprised Alfin alloy cylinder barrels topped by Speedway JAP cast-iron cylinder heads, while the gearbox was a Norton 'doll's head' unit. Once again the rolling chassis was a Norton Featherbed, on this occasion one that originally formed part of a circa 1953 long-stroke 350cc Manx. Breathing through large-bore Amal GP carburettors and running on methanol fuel, the engine was reputed to produce around 100 horsepower. As well as its JAP serial number, the engine is stamped with Williams' initials - F.J.W. - and the year of build: 1959.

Shortly after completing the third of his 1,000cc sprinters, Francis Williams' health deteriorated and circa 1960 he sold his remaining machines to another sprinting legend: Ernie Woods. The Norton-JAP was ridden by Woods at that year's Brighton Speed Trials and set the fastest solo time on Madeira Drive the following year, although it never did claim the outright record. It was Woods who applied the 'Thor' nickname; and indeed, one can imagine this mighty machine as the two-wheeled embodiment of the hammer-wielding god of Norse mythology. For the record: the third of Williams' 1,000cc sprinters was called 'Wotan' and the fourth machine - a 500cc v-twin - was dubbed 'Woden'. Of the four, Thor was the best and most successful.

Woods continued to develop Thor and used the machine for both hill climbing and sprints. Highlights of its distinguished career include membership of the British team in the Transatlantic Drag Festival and setting the outright fastest time of the day at Brighton - the first time this had been done by a motorcycle. As well as the coveted 'FTD' trophy, Ernie received a silver star, donated by Denis Jenkinson, for averaging over 100mph for the standing-start kilometre (terminal speed 158mph); he was only the third rider to do so.

Woods' other noteworthy achievements with Thor include achieving a speed of 186mph on the Caragrohane Straight in Northern Ireland; and breaking the record at the Ramsey Sprint in the Isle of Man that had been set by the legendary George Brown aboard 'Super Nero'. Woods was equally successful at hill climbs such as Shelsley Walsh, Prescott, Harewood, Wiscombe Park, Woburn, etc.