Great Bikes and Bad Business : A Brief History of Norton Motorcycles
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 3 июл 2020
- A brief history of Norton Motorcycles and it's various guises. From its initial inception with James Lansdowne Norton to it becoming part of NVT and beyond! Where will TVS take them?
It's certainly a long and complex history. Being a 'brief history of' a lot got left on the cutting room floor so we suggest you check out some of the websites below if this episode has piqued your interest!
More reading on the history of Norton.
www.superbike.co.uk/author/john/
www.workingatamc.london/
www.nortonownersclub.org/
www.vintagenorton.com/ 
Авто/Мото
Hey guys, thanks again for watching! If you're wondering why I'm a bit redder in the face than usual in today's episode, I've been given some lovely face-melting cream to deal with some potential skin cancers. All is well but I might be a tad ruddy for the next few eps.
Stay well!
I love your way of editing and soothing voice. I'm glad you haven't stopped making videos. My wishes of a prompt recovery!
Great video. Really great channel. Take care and hope you health improves to a full recovery.
I'm more concerned that it looks like your house is on fire! Look after yourself Paul, did wonder about the redness.
What it is with a cream. I have had thirty burnt off. Uncomfortable but quick.
Good luck with your health sir, thanks for these reports.
For my 30th birthday in 1984, my then-wife bought me a Norton 750 Commando. I think it was a '72. It was in boxes. I put it together, adding a few bobs and bits like Akront alloy spoked wheels and Boyer electronic ignition. Replaced the leaky fiberglas tank with a proper steel one. Got the adjustable Isolastics. I polished up the engine, transmission and primary covers till you could use 'em for mirrors. Fairly flat bars and a bar-end mirror finished the setup. No engine work was needed, luckily. I rode it a bit and when confidence built I opened up the throttle, laid on the tank and held on till it wouldn't go any faster- 122 MPH indicated. After that I pottered around, rarely exceeding 50 mph. The most surprising thing was the very noticeable difference the alloy rims made to handling and feel. They were wonderful, those Akronts, lower unsprung weight. Alas, the Norton was stolen from me in 1988. I doubt the nitwits who took it knew what it was they had.
I must say having purchased the last model Norton Atlas before the Commando in 1968, when I was in the Army, it was one of the best motorcycles I've ever owned. It held its own against the new Japanese bikes for years because handled so much better and could apply its toque to the road more efficiently. It didn't get put in its place until various Japanese motorcycle companies came out with 900 CC plus motorcycles. I still got double the gas mileage and continued to ride it for years. I finally sold it to a collector with 10's of 1000's of miles on it; it still looked new and was completely stock.
TVS is a very deliberate company. It isn't the most nimble one or innovative even when it comes to Indian domestic market but it loves to put in the hard work and doesn't give up on concepts once it starts working on it. It has a tendency to build on things slowly improving bit by bit but above all loves to race! I am hoping this calculated approach works for Norton. Looking forward to riding TVS Norton's soon down under! 😁
Happily I owned a Commando for 20 years here in the US I was involved with the INOA and it's great that people keep these machines running with passion. When my generation fades away who knows what will happen? Thanks, very well done Sir!
I'm 37 and own a 1975 850 commando. I grew up on British bikes and will always love and own a few.... If not a lot. I have a BSA 441 Victor, 1978 750 Bonneville and the Norton. 24 other bikes just 3 from England.
This reminds me of the old man who's had the same hammer for 50 years. He just replaced the handle a few times, and the head a few times. But it's the same hammer.
I had a late 70's Norton Commando 850, absolutely loved that bike.
Best bike they ever made :-)
Likewise still miss my old 750 Norton Commando, and the fabulous sound of those Dunstalls (though always having to re-tighten every nut and bolt that would periodically come loose from the vibration, not so much)!
Have early 7os comando still love it
Love to get 850 Commando right now @ 61 know that bike but never owned 1 only 1 I've still Have 1000 kwaka..
@John Smith I had the 72 750 combat I sure loved it,they came with the modified road race head I sure loved it.
You can't help loveing the history of motorcycles brings back lots of wonderful memories.
Wow..........
What a great piece of work, Paul. Your videos are getting better, each time.
I totally like the whole atmosphere, the colors, the story telling and the bikes.
And Norton has a far more interesting history then I ever suspected.
Thank you for the hard work !!!
Cheers dude, and thanks for watching 👍😀
Wonderful Norton history video ,I also have faith in your Indian brothers ,India is an honorable country so I am hoping TVS will build great Norton motorcycles again ...thank you .
In 1975, I bought a used 1973 Norton Commando. The main issue with the bike was constant maintenance. Things like a brass bushing for the swing arm that needed to be replaced every 1 to 2 years, which required a lot of work. There was shop that worked on Nortons, and souped them up, increasing engine size to 940cc, but it eventually the shop shut down, so I sold the bike, and bought a 1982 Suzuki GS1100E and never looked back. My feelings were the same as a motorcycle magazine writer, we both had later seen the bikes we sold and wondered about getting another Norton, but then remembered that we buy motorcycles to ride them, not to be constantly working on them.
@rcgldr: Your last line sums it well! This why the Japanese motorcycle industry surpassed the British. Like one of my high school friends said " Next to a Harley, the British bike is the most masculine bike, but you're working on them every week-end. Now l own a 500 Suzuki & l never touch it ( just ride it)"
I love the feel of a Triumph Bonneville from the mid-seventies. Great for mountain curves and hills, fantastic torque. You need to be somewhat trained in mechanical things to keep it going well, and change the oil frequently. Not a choice for a thousand mile trip (BMW) but what a great sport bike for loads of fun.
I don't know how I managed to miss this video until today. I had a 1966 Norton Sports Special (650cc). It was a magic bike. I had dreams of a P-11, but, in a fit of idiocy, I got married instead. Great video and I liked one subscribers' comment, (Khac Canh le) that it would be good if you could do one on Indian.
My father ran a motorbike garage in the 1970s/80s and amongst other agencies, was an NVT and Triumph agent.
I ran a lorry on long distance, and used to collect all sorts of motorbike parts/bikes on my return journeys for him - I was there so often they even gave me NVT and Triumph lettering to go on the cab doors!
I occasionally called into Shenstone collecting Norton bikes, or parts.
But I used to call into Triumph at Meriden much more often (once every 2-3 weeks), especially in 1977 collecting new T140V Silver Jubilee Bonnevilles, which sold like hot cakes.
I collected new bikes from there both before and after Tony Benn helped them set up the worker's cooperative.
Quite often while waiting, I'd go in the factory and have a good nose around and chat with some of the old boys who worked there.
Fascinating to watch them painting all those thin red, white and blue lines on the Silver Jubilees, all done by free hand.
Enfields started getting made in India in 1954 , became a mainstay of transport for the country , very popular bike . . . now in the 21st century motorcycling in India is more popular than ever , we were in Goa last November , Bike Mania week was on , blimey !! to say it was busy is an understatement , bikers from all over India were turning up . . . . . . Indian businessmen are shrewd , i would say TVS could make a good go of this opportunity .
A brilliant story of a brilliant factory in a brilliant narrative. Congratulations on the quality of the narrative.
Poor old Norton! That was excellent! Thank you very much for posting it...👍👍👍
Great video! I was at the 1989 Race of Aces at Snetterton, England, visiting from the US and the JPS Norton team was there in force. They bitch slapped the Japanese competition leaving me extactic - I never dreamed I'd see British bikes do that...it was fantastic. And to top it off, a flight of 5 B-17s flew over in the middle of the races - the were filming the Memphis Belle. But, I sincerely wish Norton the absolute best for a strong come back.
sounds like an awesome day..... hope the memory never fades....
Really interesting and well researched vid. We were a deposit down customer of Norton hoping to get one of the Atlas Nomad scramblers, that didn't go well! Looking at what TVS got for their 16 million it doesn't seem much! Garner has the buildings, his hotel and assets for sale which when sold strangely add up to roughly what the fine is from the pension ombudsman.
Will Garner escape any form of prosecution?
Anyway eventually got our deposit back but keeping away from new Norton until they start producing actual bikes but we do wish them luck.
Best wishes in your battles in the health department.
Glad you managed to get your money back! It's a shame that there seems to be so many sharks out there. Norton seems to have found more than it's fair share but I'm hopeful of the TVS deal. You're certainly right about it being a case of wait and see though.
Quite an accurate documentary......Well done. (Big Norton fan)
Very interesting and informative, well presented too. As a teenager I lusted after a Norton 650SS, but being an apprentice could only afford a second-hand Matchless 250 G2, Later, the Honda CBxxx fours arrived on the scene and they seemed like something from outer space.
brilliant video paul as always,wishing you well fella,
Great documentary!!!
Excellent & insightfully informative video. Brilliant presenter. Wonderful delivery.
Brilliant video. Lived through most of this post 1955, and of course those of us affected had little idea what was what.
If you did make a longer more detailed version, some of us would really like it.
This is real history, and if you write it down, people will study it in a thousand years...
Under tow of dough kept things mighty slow but enough to make another go at it! Never forget the road of Norton! A wonderful documentary of the past, now I know something I can talk about!
on yer bike is entertainment.
It's good to see living history. I wish Norton great future success in the modern
motorcycle world?
Great research and footage you have shared. As the owner of a ‘55 Dominator, I love to see the factory my bike was born in.
So do I - mine's a polychromatic blue Model 88
The problem now is that Norton has been bought a sold so many times that anything that comes out now is just a marketing strategy to put the name on a bike. Really doesn't have anything to do with the original production and the name is very watered down.
A sad reality these days, a good example would be the brands Indian, and Curtiss in the US, just bought and paid for names, with no actual connections to the past.
@@terrycavender And now... Mahindra BSA!
@@terrycavender At least you get an AMERICAN vehicle from Indian. Unlike the Harleys that are built in Asia. Victory and Indian are the only American still I would buy now. I have owned 2 Harley's. not again I won't.
Sir, it's a real pleasure to see your episodes.Fantastic work!
I had a Norton Commando. I also had a BSA Lightning. Ah, the good old days lol. While I'm old now I do have two Suzuki V-Twin cruisers, an R3 and an SR400. But I have to be honest. I have the most fun on the Yamaha SR400. Maybe it's the fact it's a kick start only lol.
An old Norton Commando passed me on Sunday, and and on the Saturday I saw a BSA Gold Star. Good to see the old bike live on.
Well done! A very complicated story explained simply. Good to see Bert Hopwood mentioned.
Can you do a history Video on Indian motorcycles from 19 0 1 until today ??
My wife and I have purchased a 2018 new roadmaster, we love it. I would like this Extremely Well, because I'm intrested in the history. Thank you
I remember when Honda first showed up in the UK, it would have been around 1962. I had an old velocette and an AJS 350 single cylinder that was impossible to keep oil tight. The Japanese bikes were built like watches, needle roller bearings as far as the eye could see, no oil leaks and effortlessly revving beyond anything a British bike could manage. While I morn the demise of the British motorcycle industry it had to go. Upper management had kept producing the same old tired designs for decades, spending money on anything but making better bikes while displaying contempt for their customers.
I now own a 2019 Royal Enfield 650cc vertical twin cylinder bike, made in India and created by a UK frame specialist and some ex-Triumph engine designers. Oh yes true to form it leaves little oil patches on my concrete garage floor where it's parked overnight for that authentic nostalgic British cafe' racer experience.
Go on, you know you have a secret admiration for Stuart G. The lovable rogue is an inherent part of British political and business culture.
R.E. semms to sell a pretty fair bike for the price.
@@gregorytimmons4777 Thanks for the reply. It's a great bike and exceptional value for money. What's not to like with 4 valves per cylinder, aluminium rims, stainless steel spokes, perfect riding position for me, fuel injection and ABS by Bosch plus a sweet 6 speed gearbox and such a pretty bike. Well OK it is a bit heavy at just under 200kg (still lighter than many other bikes on today's market), I'd like a 'what gear am I in' indicator (it does display an N for neutral but that's it) and the seating position is a tad high for a short guy like me. Re-reading my comment I can see it might come across as negative to the bike, in truth I'm very happy with it. 47hp from a 650cc twin might seem low but it is more than enough for me, the exceptionally flat torque curve makes riding it a joy. For those who want more power there are go faster bits available from third party suppliers like a high lift long dwell camshaft, big bore kits to go to 850cc and lots of louder exhaust systems that have some positive affect on hp.
Norton’s were imported into the US in the sixties by Berliner, who wanted to keep costs down, which resulted in the forged primary chain cover being replaced by the cheaper stamped cover. Whatever oil leaks there were in UK Nortons was trivial compared to the Ill-fitting stamped covers in the US.
Besides no mention of Berliner, I have never seen any mention of the air cleaner-less dual carb 600 cc Dominators of the early sixties.
And to complete my trifecta of little known Norton facts, were the aftermarket mods done by Dunstall.
Hope TVS or another company can do for Norton what TVS has done with the RE Interceptor 650. Especially the featherbed frame would be a nice revival.
But a big bore Interceptor seems to be the best descendant of the British twins of the Sixties available today.
Re: after market parts, see recent Stuart Fillingham RUclips videos on tory Govt's plans to make any post-market modifications illegal. A short time window is left to make your feelings known to November end only.
Hey guys, I really enjoyed this program. I've loved Norton motorcycles since I was a kid. When I was about 14 I started looking through cycle mags seeing ads for this beautiful yellow Norton Commando with the upswept pipes. I've always wanted one and never even came close to getting it. My riding motorcycles started at 15 starting with a Kawasaki 250 Samurai scrambler. Then the H1 and H2. Many bikes through the years, now 66 and riding an 05 FZ1...cheers
Great video great information. Didn’t realise about some of the links between different companies.
Sorry to hear about your cancer issues hope everything works out. I relatively new to your channel. I have subscribed and do like what I see. This recent news about Norton explains why all the franchise stores here in the USA suddenly vanished over night. While I've never owned a Norton I do know many people that either did or have. I have noticed a lot of the motor cycle manufactures have moved their companies to India including Harley Davidson who to this day still claims that all their bikes are build in the USA. Suzuki also has moved there operations plant to India. they way things are looking for the future of motorcycles is India is going to become the new hum for all motorcycle manufactures of motorcycles.
Well researched well presented a good quality video that could rival any tv production top marks for your hard work much appreciated.
This was a tv quality episode gents .
Enjoyed this history - reminiscing. I miss my 71 Commando 750 with lots of Dunstall equipment & would buy it back in a heartbeat if I could find it. Loved it.
thanks again Paul,, great information,, always enjoy watching your videos..goodluck and God Bless
An interesting story about the iconic Norton. I had a 72 Commando 850 and when it ran ( always had trouble with the points ) nothing including Japanese could touch it. Today we have the Indian versions of Norton’s selling for 30+ thousand AUD. Far to expensive for what they are.
@robertwatson39: l thought the 850 version didn't come out until '73. Did you perhaps buy a '73 in late '72?
@@robertbruce1887 your right mate, just a typo lol.
Long winded and full of information I didn't need to know my favorite kind of episode ....Im a subscriber now, what's next.
So glad I found this great video, and channel!
My dream has always been to have a Manx. Someday perhaps!
Only been on a commando, but fell in love with Nortons right then and there.
Fantastic report - thank you!
This was really well done ! Had a 75 Triumph Bonneville great bike miss those days 👍
I really enjoyed both the history and presentation of Norton Motorcycles.
Only the Indian and Chinese companies can save European companies eventually. Excellent episode by the way.
Excellent video Paul. Really enjoying these histories.
I REALLY love your documentaries!
My first motorcycle ride was on the back of a Yellow Norton 750 Commando in around 1973 ? I ll never forget it and have owned over 13 bikes since then .
When I was a young lad , I attended my first flat track race at our local fairgrounds. In those days I was fearless and the day after the motorcycle races there were car races at the same location.... the cars raced on a smaller track inside the larger track the bikes ran on...... There were still a few Bike racers attending the auto races the next day... i recognized one of the bikers and asked if i could ride his bike (like I said - fearless). Much to my surprise he said "sure - it should fly with you on it". I was only around 15 and 100 pounds... ! It was a Norton Commando stripped down and modified for racing...... To this day it remains the most intimidating bike I've ever rode..... I had it up to 90 on that little quarter mile car track.....
Really appreciate this. So much Information. Thank you
Your presentation is exceptional!
You start out very well and its not until later that you realize that the presentation has stepped up to another level altogether.
Very well done!
Great additional vantage of Norton!
Fabulously made video! Trust TVS will keep up to their promise.
Keep up the good work Paul. Hope you're well.
I bought my '69 Commando in 1978 for £450, rode it a few years, sold it to my dad, got it back again 10 years ago, rebuilt it, still riding it regularly so 42 years with us. It definitely has a personality and a soul that comes alive on start up and makes me feel 19 again. My Honda NTV650 was just too antiseptic. I think the Indian TVS venture is the best chance, something to go alongside the very nice new RE 650's, so I wish them luck - and better business.
I had a 72 750 Commando, great bike with loads of character but buggered if I could ever get it to run properly on unleaded fuel.
It’d run well on 98 octane but I soon discovered that a lot of fuel outlets sell fuel less than 98 octane as 98 octane!
I hope they have the same success as Royal Enfield are enjoying.
Thank you for the interesting Norton History lesson performed in souch a nice way 😊🙏
When I was in Uni. I had a friend with a *Norton Commander.* He took it upstairs to his living room every winter and *completely* stripped it down. It went like hell - I'd chase him on my Triumph. Great memories.
Hmm, strip down every year sounds about right :-)
Fantastic video!!! This should be required viewing for anyone in an MBA program or if you are a student at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business or similar. What has transpired especially from a business perspective, especially over the past 40 years, was so avoidable. I hope TVS finally makes and markets Norton in the niche in which it really belongs. They need to define it, make it and sell it. Best wishes to them!
My senior year of high school, my parents bought me a '74 Norton 850 Commando for my birthday. I was the envy of not only my friends, but also some of my Uncle's friends who were at least eight years my senior. I practicaly rode the wheels of of that bike...
Keep up the good work man
My favorite channel
Loving the history videos. Can we have more of these thanks.
Thanks ! Enjoyed that. Well presented.
Very interesting, great work
Thank you for a very thorough & complete documentary on the complex, should we maybe say Byzantine history of a great name in British motorcycles.
I haven't seen, in my 68 years, a better looking engine than the classic Norton and Triumph, ie; Bonneville and Commando. Beautiful bikes, with the engine and case being the best looking part.
Thought this might be vaguely interesting, turned out to be really well informed and interesting, good on you.
Just discovered your channel recently. Have very much enjoyed the content but also your excellent command of the Queen's English.
Finally!!
Not to be Unpatriotic !!!!!
Something other than Harley or Indian.
Well presented. Held my interest till the end.
( not easily done)
👍👍
Excellent.....very clearly delivered commentary.
Excellent video
Good stuff ,thank you for that.
As a young man in the 70's. One lad had a 750 Commando, he claimed it was "the fastest bike on the estate" that is when he was not working on it on the garden path, which was often as we rode by on our Japanese bikes. We all knew the T140 Bonneville was the best handling bike in the showrooms, but seeing new stock leaking on the floor we just bought Honda CB500 Four's. Same story for commando's & Interstates also Tridents, Everyone bought CB750 Four's. Suddenly the bike to have if you could afford it was a Kawasaki Z1, it blew everything into the weeds. What do I ride now ? Triumph 675 Street Triple and I love it.
A great and interesting story,many comments I had not heard of before reading this in the video.Thank you for explaining the details of history. So sad that the company was so fractionated, as NORTON, was a name which was very well known especially at the TT racing of which I was very fond as a kid, along with my brother./ Thanks again for an excellent story.
Nicely done, thankyou.
Very good video I like the History of it. I used to work there I never saw Stuart Garner really in the factory when I was there.
The Thunderous roar of these machines reminds of an era long gone, Norton is again bought by TVS motor of India
Another great video. Well done sir.
I bought a '74 Commando in '81 from its first owner with under 7k miles on the clock. It was my main transport for years, up until I wanted to spend a few months traveling and found a '77 BMW R100/7 with saddlebags and fairing fairly cheap, and it hasn't gotten much use since. I'd love to get it back on the road - it was a lovely bike to ride. I've always been curious about why Norton never did better in spite of its racing success, so thanks for this!
Aye, dust off that Commando and take'er out for a Sunday spin! My brother has a Speed Triple for everyday riding, but just now took his first-year Mach III (the triple with a ripple) down from the rafters after nigh onto four decades. Darn good to see the old girl running, even if she'd still gladly murder you.
Bring yours back to life...you'll wear a grin a full three miles wide. The world needs old iron.
Still riding my 1972 750 Commando that I bought off the showroom floor.
AWESOME!
Great story. Thank you. Greetings from Perú.
I love bikes, I love British bikes the "Vincent Black Shadow," is my all time love although there is a special place for the "Scott Flying Squirrel," and your films are great a great Documentary series.👍
Not Nortons, then? Tsk
I’m not a biker but I do appreciate the video and the machines Norton have built over the years . Just goes to prove it’s not just engineering prowess but business intelligence that can make or break a company .
Nice work! You ought to do a series on Indian motorcycles. It's a very similar story of a company changing hands.
Sure hope Norton is back on the road again. That Norton at 20:08 is just super nice!
Another TV quality video, among the top vids I`ve found in youtube! So sorry to learn of your health condition, really hoping it`s something you`ll eventually triumph ;)
Awesome stuff Paul stay well
Great video, very informative.
Thank you for a very informative and well put together video. Good luck with your Health problems.
Thank you James Norton 🇬🇧💚✌️
🇺🇲
1971 Black Commando Roadster
good presentation, Nice Jacket. BTW. I had a BSA Lightning . Cant recall the year, maybe 1967. Metallic blue. Did great wheelies.
I sincerely hope that Norton is snatched from the gaping maw of oblivion and finds itself, once again, winning, 1,2 and 3 at the Isle of Man TT! When the new Norton designs were shown off for the first time, I was over the moon excited, and was looking forward to being able to ride a brand new Norton for the first time. Needless to say, I was a little more than crest fallen when the cracks began to show and the financial truth of the company finally came out. I hope that everything works out and we will see new Norton's prowling the roads in the very near future. We can only watch, and wait..........
Hello Paul I’m a car guy but wanted you to know how much I appreciate and enjoy your videos. Very well done, informative and entertaining!!
Take care - best thoughts and wishes all the way from Nashville!!
Very good video 👍⭐️
I hope the new owners pledge to continue production on a reasonable scale in the UK holds good. Norton is the most iconic name in British motorcycling history and deserves to have a future in the right hands.
Looking forward to a follow-up to this great video. As fascinating and informative as it was may I make one small suggestion for any future vids on Norton. Please please please include some historic sound clips of the Norton fitted with megaphone/s at full noise as there is nothing at all than can ever match that sound on a motorcycle IMHO (yes I am an old fart). Keep up the great work.