Author: Source Wikipedia
Publisher: University-Press.org
ISBN: 9781230542270
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 24. Chapters: Featherbed frame, List of Norton motorcycles, Norton 16H, Norton 650SS, Norton 961 Commando, Norton Atlas, Norton Big 4, Norton Classic, Norton Commander (motorcycle), Norton Commando, Norton CS1, Norton Dominator, Norton Dunstall, Norton ES2, Norton F1, Norton International, Norton Interpol 2, Norton Isolastic frame, Norton Jubilee, Norton Manx, Norton Model 50, Norton Motorcycle Company, Norton Navigator, Norton P11. Excerpt: Norton is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade." 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 and eventually twin-cylinder motorcycles, and a long history of racing involvement. Wartime WW2 production of the military Model 16 H and Big 4 sidevalve motorcycles was Nortons contribution to the war effort, almost 100,000 being manufactured. When major shareholders started to leave Norton in 1953, the company declined and Associated Motor Cycles bought the shares. Although motorcycle sales went through a recession in the 1950s, and Norton Motors Ltd was only a small manufacturer, Norton sales flourished. A series of Norton Dominator Twins of 500cc, then 600cc, then 650cc and then the 750cc Norton Atlas kept sales buoyant, especially with sales to the USA. In 1968, the new 750cc Norton Commando Model appeared, with the engine/gearbox/swingarm unit "isolastically" insulated from the frame with a series of rubber mountings. This kept the vibrations from the rider, giving a smooth comfortable ride. The Commando was a best seller, and voted #1 Motorcycle of the Year a number of times in Britain. 850cc Models appeared for 1973, giving more torque. And for 1975 an electric...