Norton

According To The Rumor Mill, Norton is going Racing!

…and not on a small scale either. They’re talking MotoGP. Is it possible that the new Rotary has been developed to the point that it could compete in GP? Will the rules even allow for a rotary bike? If not GP can it race in WSB? This should be interesting. Turn up the volume LOUD!

Here are some vids of the new Rotax powered racebike being developed….
http://www.youtube.com/v/ph-n7-naQxo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

And of the original early 90’s F1 Rotax bikes warming up.. “Filmed at Bob Mac memorial race meeting at East Fortune on 14/6/09”
http://www.youtube.com/v/LWaA40esdWg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

First Imported Norton in the USA since 1976!

Hey Steve

Hope all is going well. I continue to enjoy your Motorcycle Photo of the Day.

Thought you and your viewers might be interested in these shots of the first new Norton Commando to hit North American shores since 1976. 2010 Commando 961 Sport. I was at the Unveiling Event in Newmarket, Ontario (Toronto) on August 11th. Came out of the crate, fired up and driven around the block by President of Norton Canada Peter Howes (in the black Norton shirt). Looks and sounds like a Norton – 2010 style. As an old Norton aficionado I can’t wait to ride one and see what it feels like. Production bikes (limited quantity, basically small scale hand made) will arrive in Canada www.nortoncanada.ca and the U.S. (U.S. Distributor is Matt Capri in Long Beach, CA www.southbaynorton.com) by next Spring. 3 Commando models – Sport, Café Racer and SE. U.S. More info at www.nortonmotorcycles.com

P.S. Work continues at Norton headquarters in Donnington Park, UK on a new 700 cc rotary engine race bike which should be racing in the 1200 cc Superbike class soon. Watch it go. Norton would appear to be back – in style!  

Reader Submittal. How to build a Norton Cafe Racer from Beginning to End.

Here’s a few start/finish pics from Jean Des Rosiers excellent build of his Cafe Norton.  If you want to see how it’s done you could do a lot worse that checking out his site.  http://www.pbase.com/jeandr/cafe_racer


Jean writes in:

Hi,
Saw your blog and the many bikes you have posted on there, especially Nortons. Please take a look at my café racer build galleries at http://www.pbase.com/jeandr/cafe_racer The bike took about two years of on and off work, mainly on during winter and off during summer. The job started by fitting a belt final drive of my own design and fabrication and evolved into having an open clear area in the back of the engine by hiding everything that normally goes there.

Best regards
Jean

Really excellent stuff!  Thanks Much Jean!

British "Fest" from the Islands!

Joe Abramo sends in some great stuff all the way from Hawaii!

He Writes:
Surf on over to see the complete web pages……….


http://www.napaliprop.com/72-Commando.html
http://www.napaliprop.com/66bsa.html
http://www.napaliprop.com/2008-T-100.html


Love the MPOD concept!!
I go there every day now.

Joe Abramo

Great Stuff!  Thanks Joe!

Just Another Stunning Norton …

While I’m NOT an authority I’d say this one looks very well sorted out with upgraded air filter, brakes, carb and no doubt ignition.