Hello After reading the Norton models history , we have the racing history thrown in for good measure , the Norton history on racing should be on a separate page to make things more interesting and how Norton stood alone against the japanese racing motorcycles, So to educate the general public all this needs rewriting Has its some time since anything was written And some models do not get much of any mention or missed all together surely we can do better than this with more of each model specification in turn, to inform the general public in a better way, the Model 77 from 1951/2 missed out all together the Norton Deluxe models and standard models over looked, the nomad 600 not much of anything written about this motorcycle,again over looked, Norton Manxman 650 witch was the next big step for Norton only got a few words witch to me is a utter disgrace to the general public and motorcycling fraternity has this motorcycle was unique in its styling and power output a big step in Norton history, and dis-guarded by the Norton fraternity just because it was for a export market only for next to nine months this is unsportsmanlike and disappointing, then we have some dating inaccuracies like the introduction of the model 99 witch was September of 1955 and not 1956, and then we have the introduction of the alternator model witch was september 1957 for the norton 1958 season and I have found cases of incorrect dating machines dated nearly a year after they where built, and inaccuracies in dating in every Norton book i have read , so far and our club as not got around in the last 50 odd year to make any correction in this thus failing the motorcyclist in its real history, witch I am disappointed in this club not to get to grips with correct dating of Norton models Has after some years of my own research have found that Norton factory record do not give the date of manufacture only the date of dispatch from the factory witch the machine in question could of been made up to three weeks earlier from the date of dispatch, if your a dedicated Norton owner I think we need some accuacise on Norton dating and more on specification on each model , witch would make a difference when restoring a machine, now getting some what hard to find, and its time for a up dated Norton restoration Book or even a dvd video Norton restoration, witch may pay dividends to this club, yours Anna J Dixon Founder of the East yorkshire branch
Norton models History
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hello Anthony yes I stand…
hello Anthony yes I stand corrected and I do hole heartedly agree with you these machines are unspoken about , and desperately need a lot of publicity and if it was not for you and your friend we would not have two of the greatest that Nortons built , as experimental motorcycles and I am saying this need to change with a new Norton Restoration Books or DVD videos So the new Norton owners can explore the Norton Models with facts and Specifications behind them and a new Norton Restoration books will pay dividends to the Club and bring more interest to the Norton mark and may be new members too and I am willing to participate in this,
thank you Anthony, yours Anna J Dixon ,
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now this is how the new set of Norton restoration books or dvd
Hello Now this is how I see the New set of Norton Restation books set or dvds to be set out starting with the father of Norton's own machine sidevalve singles restoration and then over head valve singles and then overhead cam singles to 500cc twins and 600cc twins then 650 to 750cc twins and everything in between then Commando and so on , with all specifications in side to styling from mudguards to tanks chains sprockets nuts and bolts and studs everything a new norton owner would want to know, even Norton owners that,s never had a Norton before a set of book that any Norton owner will be proud to own that will be set in time for ever with proper information and spicifations on every thing on these motorcycles down to the last screw, yes no one as even made any comments about fastings nuts bolts and washers and studs screws and there thread form and sizes , and yes a big ask but with all harded norton owners taking part this can be achieved and with a central coordinator team picked by the members we the Norton owners club can make a great set of Restoration books and dvds done by the members for the members yours anna j dixon
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The model years is easy for…
The model years is easy for us in the UK, but confuses the rest of the planet. In the US a 1971 model could only start selling in Jan 1971, not the August before like the UK, and thus the confusion. Odd methods are still used today by some manufacturers for modern vehicles, Skoda start building their models in the May of the previous year as I have just found out with my 2012 registered model actually being a 2013 model.
If a book was written based on UK model years, can you imagine the hassle and the resulting questions.
It is usually the NOVA bikes that carry the wrong model years, to the extent it causes much frustration for some owners wanting to know what the bike should look like, usually the allocated reg is correct for year but not always.
Much like the Combat engine, it was an option from late 1969 I do believe, so it was possible it would turn up in earlier bikes, so the bike could be correct, and not a bike fitted with a later Combat engine as some would think is the case.
There is a book on imperial thread forms and sizes, it was used by many British motorcycle manufacturers, there is a copy in the office, the reason many used it as it made sense to copy what has gone before and in use prior to an engine being fixed in a push bike frame - it is called the BSA Standard, and still very useful today. The only thing it does not cover is 'form' type threads which Norton seemed to like in the later years.
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thread form book
Hello Ashley I do have a collection of these thread form book and to any enthusiastic owner there a must have books, fasteners are the basis of engineering, and understanding fasteners and there job will make you a better understanding of your motorcycle you have love your fasteners, and book made up with all sizes and where they fit on your Norton will be a help to owners just new to the motorcycle care of british vintage machines and there restoration, and you can get a haynes Book on paint spaying and electrics and how to make up your own wiring harness and fit it as well , even at our old age were all still at school learning something new , you have to have a open mind and continue to learn, even at 65 I am still learning, new things about our Nortons . I can just sit a look at my bike all day and find something I did not see before, Norton motorcycles are are just a wonderful peace of art, of engineering, do enjoy your norton,s there special every one, have fun yours anna j
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There was also a 500 Nomad, from 1958 to 1959. The Norton Atlas Scrambler, from 1963. The P11 series from 1967 to 1968. The N15CS from 1964 to 1968. Only two Unified Twins engines were ever constructed, one in a model 77 frame and one to be tested on the dyno. The AMC minutes stated that three were to be constructed for AMC at Plumstead, . and three for Norton at Bracebridge Street.