Genuine 'NOS' Norton DOHC Cams - Various Profiles and Conditions Available - Price is Each

Limited Availability Listing - March 2025:  I have managed to obtain a (very!) limited quantity of genuine Norton 'New Old Stock (NOS) Norton DOHC cams in a variety of cam profiles - mostly DOHC Shortstroke profiles, but also a few DOHC Longstroke profiles. 

These cams came from a long time collector of rare Norton racing motorcycles and parts, and I have known of these cams for many years.  Now as he reaches an age where he is starting to dispose of his collection, these became available to purchase.  I cannot be sure, but gather they may have come from the Norton competition shop when it closed in the early 1960's.

There are a variety of Shortstroke and Longstroke DOHC cam profiles (of which I have detailed below), in both 350cc and 500cc profiles - all have original Norton profile stamps on them - and many are in 'as new' condition - particularly nice being a batch of 1955 DOHC 500cc and 350cc shortstroke cams (which could probably be used on any suitable DOHC cambox).

As they came to me, they had spent many years in storage in a workshop, and most had a thin layer of dried grease/surface dust on them - but others had unfortunately got a slight layer of light corrosion on them.  therefore I have liightly linished each cam to remove any trace of dirt or corrosion from their exterior surface - lightly oiled them, and graded them as best I can (see below for grading) - but we offer a full money back guarantee on these (minus postage cost) - if when you receive them, you decide you do not wish to keep them.

I list below the various cam profiles available, but recommend you email use before ordering for individual availability (very limited quantities) - you can email me directly on paul.norman@racingvincent.co.uk for more information.  If you do not emai us before hand, but instead place an order - state which cam/condition you are looking for, in the 'Comments' section when finalising your order - and we will email you when we start picking your order to discuss what is available. 

Condition and Grading (Our Estimate - for costing purposes only)

Condition of cams ranges from virtually perfect (i.e. A1) to a lesser, but possibly still usable quality - where some slightl surface pitting is eveident (A4). Therefore, in the process of checking and cleaning each cam (and spraying all of them in Duck Oil to protect from any corrosion in storage) - I have attempted to list the cams as one of the following conditions, and this condition is used for us to cost them:

A1 NOS Condition - Almost perfect (as new) condition on the exterior - no blemishes to the cam profile surface

A2 NOS Condition - At least one or two faint marks on the surface of the cam profile, which should not impact in any way

A3 Condition - Some slight marks or possible surface pitting to the cam profile surface.  Should still be usable (but best to check after some use)

A4 Condition - Although still 'NOS', and cleaned of all corrosion, surface corrosion has affected the cam profile - these may still be usable, or maybe best to Nitride harden again before using.  Or if nothing else - would be a possible pattern - as they will still show the original Norton valve timing for this profile

For all cams - once a cam type has been requested - I will confirm what is available (some profiles are in very limited quantities) - and send photographs of the actual cam.  Once ordered and received - if you are then concerned you can return the cam (within 30 days) for a full refund (minus postage cost of course).

It goes without saying - that the customer takes full responsibility for the decision to fit and use these cams - we describe the condition as best we can, but no guarantee is given or implied

  See Listing for More detail  Price is dependent on condition (A1 single cam price shown) - and photograph of actual cam will be emailed to customer before purchase.  When they are gone they are gone! Price is Each   

As at March 2025 we have costed an A1 condition cam as being £90 each, A2 = £80, A3 = £50, A4 = £30.  Some cams are priced individually if bettween these broad conditions.  Once a cam type has been requested we will send phtographs of the best condition cam available to the customer, before committing to purchase.  

Background Information:

These cams have resided with an old collector and builder of race nortons for probably 40 or 50 years - he occassionally using some of them himself for his own builds.  They were all in drawers or on wire strings together, and I was told are 'new old stock, originally from Norton's themselves (I cannot be sure, but suspect at some point they may have been part of the Reg Deardon stock - as he bought much of hte Norton race department I gather, when it closed in the early 1960's.  All cams have been thoroughly cleaned externally to remove any trace of dirt and surface corrosion - which has allowed me to then examine and grade each cam.  The central bore will still need to be cleaned by the customer.

Most of the cams available are short stroke and have the original Norton numbers on them (the majority being known DOHC cam profiles).  I was told many years ago by a knowleadgable person that shortstroke cams can be used on a Longstroke cambox - and give good results . . . but not being an expert on DOHC engines myself, I cannot confirm this is the case. 

If nothing else . . . it is not often that you get the opportunity to see and own original Manx Norton parts from the factury that are still new . .. and with poorer condition cams - even if you do not want to risk using one, it is an opportunity to accurately measure original valve timing.

It should go without saying that as these cams are 'New Old Stock' - no guarantee is provided with them and it is totally the responsibility of the customer if they wish to use them or not.  (however, I have also taken a couple of sets myself for future projects or spares!).