Harold Daniell and team mate Artie Bell, 1949 Senior TT (Tourist Trophy)

Date(s): 1949

Scope & Content: Harold Daniell being congratulated by his team mate Artie Bell, both riders on Norton machines, after victory in 1949 Senior Tourist Trophy (TT) race. The person standing in the middle is Rex McCandless who designed the 'Featherbed' Norton frame.

Before the Second World War Norton dominated motorcycle racing, but a new stronger and lighter frame was needed for the increasing speeds and stresses of racing. In 1949 Rex McCandless and his brother Cromie were commissioned by Norton and the result was the Featherbed Norton. Artie Bell and Rex McCandless developed the front fork geometries.

Harold Daniell famously said that the new machine was like lying in a feather bed compared to earlier Norton frames - and the name stuck. The 'Featherbed' Norton became a classic, forever linked to the Isle of Man.

Language: eng

Physical description: black & white print

Item name: photograph

Collection: Photographic Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: PG/12100/79

Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT

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