Norton formed by James Landsowne Norton started motorcycle production in 1902. Birmingham 1898 saw the start making spares for the bicycle trade, and one hundred years on this make has stood the test of time. The Manx Norton of 1937 became the bike to beat. Racing success led to the famous Dominator 500cc twin in 1949 which continued into the sixties with the famous Featherbed Frame of 1952 and in 1956 the 600cc engine, which with the slimline featherbed and a 650cc engine in 1962 gave the 650ss Dominator. Taken over  by the AMC group in 1953 the Birmingham factory was closed in 1962 and production moved to the Matchless plant in Woolwich. The 'Norton Featherbed frame' was accepted as the best frame in production and was desired by many boy racers who fitted Triumph engines to give us the Triton which was the epitome of the 'Cafe Racer' and so it was with a sense of loss when the Commando was launched in 1967 with a new frame and Isolastic engine suspension. This awesome combination continued in production until 1977 and 'against all odds' they won the Senior TT when the Japanese were thought to be invincible.

Click the photo to see a full size version, see reviews at bottom

250cc Class

1959 Jubilee 250cc

1960 Jubilee 250cc

1965 Jubilee 250cc

350cc Class

1953 International   350cc

1961 Navigator   350cc

1962 Navigator   350cc

500cc Class

1949 ES2 500cc	1949 Model 7 Dominator 500cc	1953 Model 7 Dominator 500cc	1956 International  500cc
1957 ES2 500cc	1980 Wulf 500cc

600cc to 850cc Class

1949 Big 4 600cc	1958 Model 99 Dominator 600cc	1961 Model 19S 600cc	1962 Manxman 650cc
1964 Dominator 650cc	1988 Classic Rotorary 600cc	1971 Commando MK1 750cc	1975 Commando Interstate 850cc
1965 P10 800cc

 

Norton Model Reviews

Jubilee 1958-66, 249cc, ohv twin, 350lb, 75mpg, 65mph Well designed but underdeveloped and badly constructed unit construction twin in AMC group lightweight chassis. Most engines rattle and leak oil. Deluxe version looks smart. Not to be confused with the Triumph Silver Jubilee. Navigator 1960-65, 349cc, ohv twin, 350lb, 65mpg, 75mph Enlarged and a more useful Jubilee with road-holder forks and an 8" front brake. Enough performance for cruising the byways and excellent handling. Electra 1963-65, 394cc, ohv twin, 360lb, 55mpg, 75mph Rare electric start version of the Navigator with a bit bigger capacity and  indicators. Not a bad lightweight machine with elegance. Model 7 1947-56, 497cc, ohv twin, 430lbs, 80mpg, 75mph Early twin cylinder engine in a rigid frame which was later updated to plunger and then swinging arm. Engine does not vibrate, but is not particularly powerful and only suffers poor rocker gear wear and gearbox problems. International Model 40 1946-58, 349cc, ohc single, 340lb, 65mpg, 85mph This is a fussy camshaft model based on the racing Manx Norton. The featherbed models are the best but they are ludicrously expensive. Model 50 1956-63, 348cc, ohv single, 400lb, 75mpg, 75mph A gentle traditional British single with nice manners, but a little down on performance. Post ’59 models are the ones to buy with the famous featherbed frame, decent lights and good looks. Very few survive, most were built into Tritons. The engine is vice-less and the steering is excellent. 16H 1945-55, 490cc, sv single, 365lb, 55mpg, 65mph, Most unlike a Norton slogger with less performance than a modern 125cc. They do have some charm though and generally used to be found with a sidecar fitted. Model 18 1945-54, 490cc, ohv single, 341lb Very similar to the ES2 but with a rigid back end. Initially with Girder front fork, but in 1946 taking on the telescopic version. Wheel rims were chrome with black centre and red lines. The finish remained very similar to the ES2 for it's entire life. A reliable model throughout it's years of production, although not the most flamboyant. There was also a plunger rear end option availble. ES2 1947-62, 490cc, ohv single, 380lb, 60mpg, 75mph Norton’s traditional British single. Average performer until the featherbed frame gave it brilliant handling for 1959. It is a pleasant bike, but a lot of the late ones were converted into Tritons. ES2 MkII & Model 50 MkII 1964-66, 348/498cc, ohv single, 400lb, 80/60mpg, 75/80mph These are Matchless machines with Norton badges and bear no resemblance to a ‘real’ ES2. Very rare now, means that despite the facts these bikes fetch an elevated price. Model 77 1956-59, 596cc, ohv twin, 410lbs, 65mpg, 95mph 600cc engine in the Model 7 swinging arm frame which produces an interesting combination. Engines quite robust as they are not highly tuned. Dominator 88 1951-66, 497cc, ohv twin, 420lb, 60mpg, 90mph The first of the featherbed framed roadster twins using a model 7 engine. Good road holding and brakes matched with a smooth engine. The wideline frame can be uncomfortable on a long run. Dominator 88SS  1960-66 497cc, ohv twin, 410lbs, 60mpg, 110mph Tuned 88 with twin carbs and Siamese exhausts. Good combination of power, economy and reliability. 80mph cruising is possible without too much vibration. Dominator 99 1956-60, 596cc, ohv twin, 420lb, 55mpg, 100mph Stretched 88 with a little more speed and also vibration. The Wideline frame made sure  that you could get the maximum use of its performance. Dominator 99SS 1961-62, 596cc, ohv twin, 425lbs, 55mpg, 115mph Tuned 600 with twin carbs, high compression pistons, big valves and radical valve timing. Suffers excessive vibration at high speeds. Slimline frame gives excellent handling and comfort.  Dominator 650 1960-63, 646cc, ohv twin, 400lbs, 60mpg, 110mph  Another enlargement on the 600 engine with a single carb. Lacks top end power but lots of torque lower down the range and excellent gearchange action, with the handling of the slimline featherbed frame. Dominator 650SS 1961-69, 646cc, ohv twin, 420lb, 50mpg, 110mph Stretched 99 with good performance and greater vibration. Still using the slimline featherbed frame. A nice bike but over-rated. International Model 30 1946-58, 500cc ohc single, 360lb, 60mpg, 95mph Sports single with overhead cam which gave similar performance to the 88 but required more effort to achieve it. Good looks and a touch of class justify the incredible prices asked. Model 19 1955-57, 596cc, ohv single, 385lb, 60mpg, 70mph Monster 600cc single for the sidecar with little to commend it except rarity. Suffix ‘S’ stands for sprung and ‘R’ for rigid. Big 4 1947-54, 596cc, sv single, 400lb, 50mpg, 65mph Pre-war relic intended to pull a sidecar with loads over long distances at a slow speed. Over-priced because of the Norton name, and spares are very rare and hard to get hold of. Atlas 750  1963-68, 745cc, ohv twin, 420lb, 50mpg, 110mph Stretched 650 with suffered excessive vibration which spoilt the model. Hugh amount of torque makes for a very relaxing cruiser. N15 1964-68, 745cc, ohv twin, 420lb, 45mpg, 110mph Atlas engine in a Matchless frame and given off-road styling for a trail bike. Mainly sold in the USA P10 1965, 800cc, ohc twin, prototype An experimental model that never made it into production. This was to replace the aging Atlas. While the engine failed, the frame was the forerunner for the successful Commando.  Wulf 1980, 500cc, 2-stroke twin, prototype Another prototype which incorporated a Stepped Piston 500cc 2-Stroke engine in a well tested frame. P11/P11A/Ranger 750 1965-69, 745cc, ohv twin, 400lb, 45mpg, 110mph US Desert racer with the Atlas engine in the Matchless G85CS scrambler frame making the best of the bike. Very rare and a very fine street scrambler. Commando Mk1/2 1969-71, 750cc, ohv twin, 400lb, 50mpg, 120mph Tuned Atlas engine was fitted into a frame with Isolastic mountings. A novel idea to overcome vibration which had been used by cars for many years. Commando Mk3 1972-73, 745cc, ohv twin, 400lbs, 50mpg, 120mph 1972 model had new crank bearings and cases but didn't work until upgraded with Superblend bearings in 1973. Commando 850  1973-77,  829cc ohv twin, 425lbs, 40/50mpg, 115/120mph The Interstate had large tank and higher gearing. The last models had electric start and gearchange on the left side.  JPS 1974-75, 829cc, ohv twin, 450lbs, 40mpg, 125mph John Player Special version. Following the success of the 'Slippery Sam' and other racing models.  Classic 1988-89, 588cc, twin rotary, 498lb, 40mpg, 130mph The first civilian rotary Norton. Neat traditional style with unique engine giving good performance. Check that it really is a ‘Classic’ and not a reupholstered Police Interpol 2.