U.L.? O.W.T.? Or an element of truth?

Previously colin_sharpe wrote:

I remember when I first started riding Nortons, (Circa 1964) that there was a rumour that Norton had started to develop a four cylinder 500cc racing bike to compete with the Italian Gileras and MVs. During the following 50 years, I have heard some whispers about such a machine, but nothing concrete.

Was such a bike ever considered? Were any drawings made? Any preliminary prototypes worked on? Any information would be of great interest.

Colin.

Oh yes. Norton worked with Cosworth to produce a number of engines one of which was located in Santa Cruz, CA.

It was shown in our Club stand at a number of motorcycle events but then disappeard from view.

The engine was called the "Challenge" and was an OHC watercooled twin. There is a photo of it and a description on pages 132-133 of Derek Magrath's book, "Norton the Complete Story

Mike

Previously michael_sullivan wrote:

Previously colin_sharpe wrote:

I remember when I first started riding Nortons, (Circa 1964) that there was a rumour that Norton had started to develop a four cylinder 500cc racing bike to compete with the Italian Gileras and MVs. During the following 50 years, I have heard some whispers about such a machine, but nothing concrete.

Was such a bike ever considered? Were any drawings made? Any preliminary prototypes worked on? Any information would be of great interest.

Colin.

Oh yes. Norton worked with Cosworth to produce a number of engines one of which was located in Santa Cruz, CA.

It was shown in our Club stand at a number of motorcycle events but then disappeard from view.

The engine was called the "Challenge" and was an OHC watercooled twin. There is a photo of it and a description on pages 132-133 of Derek Magrath's book, "Norton the Complete Story

Mike

Further to this, I also remember rumours about a 4 cylinder bike in the late 1970s or early to mid 1980s but I cannot find any reference to it now.

Mike