No mention of the 350cc Navigator twin which I had in 1961/2, good looking bike, lot of noise but not much speed (I could only just keep up with 250cc Ariel Arrow! In 1963 I bought a 650ss (£343!!), loved that bike, spent hours fettling and polishing inlet & exhaust ports. Unable to cure oil leaks though! Also the tappets required frequent adjustment, my local dealers couldn’t solve the problem but Norton agreed to take a look so I rode it to their HQ in Bracebridge Street Birmingham - they fitted a complete new cylinder head (refused to tell my what the problem was….i don’t think they new!). After a few years off biking I bought my first Honda, an NTV which had 60k on it, sold it with 100k; ZERO problems with it. I’m now riding a 2002 Honda VFR V-tech…..fantastic, totally reliable, comfortable and lovely sounding machine. I’ll never forget my 650ss though, I’m pretty sure my first ‘real girlfriend’ was impressed by the bike….or maybe me?
A bit annoying with videos where bikes shown don't match text. Common in this one. The International name was introduced after wins on the continent. A practice used by other manufacturers for models named Bonneville, Daytona and Thruxton. Last Internationals was made in -58 not -53.
What about the Atlas? Also, the ES-2. I rode an ES-2 all over LA and San Bernardino County in the early 70’s. I also learned about British bikes while working on that thumper.
I had a Norton Dommie 600cc in the early 60's. Yes it would do 100mph plus and quite often ! I changed the straight handle bars to drop ones . I only got caught for speeding once when I was only doing 40mph. Happy memories .
The bike shown was not the original 99 but a subsequent re-vamp brought out in about 1962 (or earlier). and not as good looking as the original 99, 600cc (or 88 500cc) but was a better all round bike.
Excellent documentary covering the famous British marque. 55000-60000 Commandos were made and spares are still available. There will always be British Nortons…and Triumphs, Royal Enfields, BSAs.
Norton bikes is so realiable and great if it is manufactured in britain.....l don't think so if it is made by another company under the licence british motor company...
Many years ago l had a bright red twin-carb Norton 99. It was like riding a pneumatic road drill, the vibration made more than my teeth chatter. I was glad to get rid of it, always dripping oil, l eventually put it in for a Triumph 650 TR6, which was a much smoother trouble free ride, that was the love of my life. Happy days.
OK, I'm confused. As far as I remember Norton made a couple of Desmo headed prototypes about 1958 and then decided that they didn't have the cash & time to develop them. And that was it. Might be wrong though, often am.
I owned a ‘65 Atlas 500cc and a new ‘72 Commander, 750. Norton went to 850ccs in the mid 70s. Toured the US on my ‘73 with no problems. Chose to sell it in ‘75 for spending money. Regret that decision. Lots of great memories on that bike. Light, fast, and manuverable.
Unlike yourself I can't speak to all British motorcycles but it's not my experience at all. In 1972 I purchased my first new Norton Combat. I still own it and it never leaked oil. Me: multiple Commando/Combat owner that has an oil free shop floor and Nortons with plenty of oil in their tanks. But I will admit it's easier to complain about a problem than to fix it.
The sax killed it for me 🙉 ...loved the bikes though..❤
Oh that music is bloody annoying,spoilt a very interesting documentary
No mention of the 350cc Navigator twin which I had in 1961/2, good looking bike, lot of noise but not much speed (I could only just keep up with 250cc Ariel Arrow!
In 1963 I bought a 650ss (£343!!), loved that bike, spent hours fettling and polishing inlet & exhaust ports. Unable to cure oil leaks though! Also the tappets required frequent adjustment, my local dealers couldn’t solve the problem but Norton agreed to take a look so I rode it to their HQ in Bracebridge Street Birmingham - they fitted a complete new cylinder head (refused to tell my what the problem was….i don’t think they new!).
After a few years off biking I bought my first Honda, an NTV which had 60k on it, sold it with 100k; ZERO problems with it. I’m now riding a 2002 Honda VFR V-tech…..fantastic, totally reliable, comfortable and lovely sounding machine.
I’ll never forget my 650ss though, I’m pretty sure my first ‘real girlfriend’ was impressed by the bike….or maybe me?
Sorry but the background music is irritating and too loud. Actually it would be better without music! Otherwise interesting story!
A bit annoying with videos where bikes shown don't match text. Common in this one.
The International name was introduced after wins on the continent. A practice used by other manufacturers for models named Bonneville, Daytona and Thruxton.
Last Internationals was made in -58 not -53.
What about the Atlas? Also, the ES-2. I rode an ES-2 all over LA and San Bernardino County in the early 70’s. I also learned about British bikes while working on that thumper.
"An engineer called Bert Hopwood" - hardly a fitting tribute to one of the greatest m/c designers of all time !!
I had a Norton Dommie 600cc in the early 60's. Yes it would do 100mph plus and quite often ! I changed the straight handle bars to drop ones . I only got caught for speeding once when I was only doing 40mph. Happy memories .
16H: Dolls head box, then upright, Not sure about lay down. If so then very late and very very rare.
I used their antivirus once.
Their safest model.
The bike shown was not the original 99 but a subsequent re-vamp brought out in about 1962 (or earlier). and not as good looking as the original 99, 600cc (or 88 500cc) but was a better all round bike.
As the proud owner of a 57 Dommie I was just about to point his out. Well spotted.
Wonderfully narrated ...music quickly becomes annoying.... 10:02
These docu's really have an AI feel to it, don't they?
Excellent documentary covering the famous British marque. 55000-60000 Commandos were made and spares are still available. There will always be British Nortons…and Triumphs, Royal Enfields, BSAs.
Norton bikes is so realiable and great if it is manufactured in britain.....l don't think so if it is made by another company under the licence british motor company...
Music sucks and narrator sounds like a game-show-host on E dave nz
Trying to find something positive to say about this drivelfest. Failing.
Sounds like your problems could be solved by turning the sound off. The photography is quite good.
Many years ago l had a bright red twin-carb Norton 99. It was like riding a pneumatic road drill, the vibration made more than my teeth chatter. I was glad to get rid of it, always dripping oil, l eventually put it in for a Triumph 650 TR6, which was a much smoother trouble free ride, that was the love of my life. Happy days.
OK, I'm confused. As far as I remember Norton made a couple of Desmo headed prototypes about 1958 and then decided that they didn't have the cash & time to develop them. And that was it. Might be wrong though, often am.
How did it happen?
Almost a total lack of technology and priced greater then the 4 cylinder competition.
Thanks
I owned a ‘65 Atlas 500cc and a new ‘72 Commander, 750. Norton went to 850ccs in the mid 70s. Toured the US on my ‘73 with no problems. Chose to sell it in ‘75 for spending money. Regret that decision. Lots of great memories on that bike. Light, fast, and manuverable.
The atlas was a 745cc engine.
Oil leaks
If the Brit bike don’t leak oil better check that it has oil.
Unlike yourself I can't speak to all British motorcycles but it's not my experience at all. In 1972 I purchased my first new Norton Combat. I still own it and it never leaked oil. Me: multiple Commando/Combat owner that has an oil free shop floor and Nortons with plenty of oil in their tanks. But I will admit it's easier to complain about a problem than to fix it.
@@robertshepherd3832 On my (new)72, once eliminated the chain oiler not so much leaks.