Difference between revisions of "Norton"

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[[Image:Norton-logo.gif|right|200px]]
'''Norton''' was a British [[motorcycle]] marque from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of cycle chains.
By 1902 they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908 a Norton built engine was added to the range. This began a long series of production of single cylinder motorcycles. They were one of the great names of the British motorcycle industry, producing machines which for decades dominated racing with highly tuned single cylinder engines under the Race Shop supremo Joe Craig.
Postwar a 500 cc twin cylinder model called the [[Norton Dominator]] or Model 7 was added to the range for 1949, and this evolved into the 1970s through 500 cc, to 600 cc, to 650 cc, to 750 cc and to 850 cc models with the Dominator, 650, [[Norton Atlas]] and [[Norton Commando 850]], all highly regarded road motorcycles of their time.
In 1972, [[BSA]] was also in trouble. It was given government help on the condition that it merged with [[Norton-Villiers]], and in 1973 the new [[Norton-Villiers-Triumph]] (NVT) was formed. The Triumph Motorcycles name came from BSA's Triumph subsidiary.
In April 1973 an 8.5:1 compression 828 cc "850" engine was released with German SuperBlend bearings, which made 51 [[horsepower|bhp]] (38 kW) at 6,250 rpm however the stated power does not give a true picture of the engine performance because increased torque seemed to make up for the lower horsepower.
In 1974, the outgoing government withdrew the subsidies, although the incoming government restored them after the election. Rationalisation of the factory sites to Wolverhampton and Birmingham (BSA's Small Heath site) only caused industrial disputes at Triumph's Coventry site; Triumph would go on as a workers cooperative alone.
Despite mounting losses, 1974 saw the release of the [[Noton 828 Roadster]], [[Norton Mark 2 Hi Rider]], [[Norton JPN Replica]] (John Player Norton) and [[Noton Mk.2a Interstate]]. In 1975 this was down to just two models, the [[Norton Mark 3 Interstate]] and the [[Norton Roadster]], but then the Government asked for a repayment of its loan and refused export credits, further damaging the company's ability to sell abroad. Production of the two lone models still made was ended and supplies dwindled.
[[Image:1912-Norton-BS.jpg|left|thumb|1912 Norton BS]]
[[Image:1912-Norton-BS.jpg|left|thumb|1912 Norton BS]]
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*[[List of Norton motorcycles]]
*[[List of Norton motorcycles]]
[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers]]
[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers]]
[[Category:English motorcycles]]
[[Category:Defunct motorcycle manufacturers]]

Revision as of 16:26, 24 March 2008

Norton-logo.gif

Norton was a British motorcycle marque from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of cycle chains.

By 1902 they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908 a Norton built engine was added to the range. This began a long series of production of single cylinder motorcycles. They were one of the great names of the British motorcycle industry, producing machines which for decades dominated racing with highly tuned single cylinder engines under the Race Shop supremo Joe Craig.

Postwar a 500 cc twin cylinder model called the Norton Dominator or Model 7 was added to the range for 1949, and this evolved into the 1970s through 500 cc, to 600 cc, to 650 cc, to 750 cc and to 850 cc models with the Dominator, 650, Norton Atlas and Norton Commando 850, all highly regarded road motorcycles of their time.

In 1972, BSA was also in trouble. It was given government help on the condition that it merged with Norton-Villiers, and in 1973 the new Norton-Villiers-Triumph (NVT) was formed. The Triumph Motorcycles name came from BSA's Triumph subsidiary.

In April 1973 an 8.5:1 compression 828 cc "850" engine was released with German SuperBlend bearings, which made 51 bhp (38 kW) at 6,250 rpm however the stated power does not give a true picture of the engine performance because increased torque seemed to make up for the lower horsepower.

In 1974, the outgoing government withdrew the subsidies, although the incoming government restored them after the election. Rationalisation of the factory sites to Wolverhampton and Birmingham (BSA's Small Heath site) only caused industrial disputes at Triumph's Coventry site; Triumph would go on as a workers cooperative alone.

Despite mounting losses, 1974 saw the release of the Noton 828 Roadster, Norton Mark 2 Hi Rider, Norton JPN Replica (John Player Norton) and Noton Mk.2a Interstate. In 1975 this was down to just two models, the Norton Mark 3 Interstate and the Norton Roadster, but then the Government asked for a repayment of its loan and refused export credits, further damaging the company's ability to sell abroad. Production of the two lone models still made was ended and supplies dwindled.

1912 Norton BS


1969 Norton Commando Fastback


1970 Norton Commando 750 Roadster


1970 Norton Commando 750 S


1962 Norton Dominator


1962 Norton Manx 30M


1927 Norton Model 18


1959 Norton Model 50


1988 Norton Rotary


1989 Norton RCW588




See Also