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Norton Factory Visit


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#1 drewpy

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Posted 24 February 2017 - 09:43 pm

Had a blast today, rode 100 miles to New inn first for a meet up and scram, then off to the factory at Castle Donington.

Their factory is MIA offices and still is, so its a bit sureal as the carpets are still down and staff look like they just mill around not looking very busy. What a great job.

we went round the assembly area and was told they are gearing up for the new V4 Norton raod bikes which they hope to make 3k per year. looks like the old twin may be making way as they are also doing a twin version by keeping just the from 2 front cylinders to make a 650cc bike.

We got taken to the frame factory but were banned from taking any photos as the new V4 was in pre-production.

here's the photos

pre production american bike from the previous owners, aparently the internals are missing or made of wood

IMG_0663_zpsfypbfvs5.jpg

Aprilia V4 in a rotary spondon chassis, the very 1st foray in to the V4 as far back as 2010

IMG_0662_zpsuv5dndc9.jpg

Cam donald's V4, he didn't get on with it
IMG_0661_zpsesirwhdg.jpg

007 bike 1 of 2, Aston MArtin paid 10k to have their cars on James Bond films

IMG_0659_zpsjhlaaubn.jpg

IMG_0658_zps8iwzel7n.jpg

The new V4 prototype road version 1 of 2
IMG_0656_zpsribfxxtb.jpg
IMG_0655_zps5bj2pcb0.jpg
IMG_0654_zpszlyirpw1.jpg
IMG_0653_zpstz6fd4uq.jpg
IMG_0652_zpsfv2lexdw.jpg
IMG_0651_zpss1sa58mz.jpg

Race bikes, starting from the 1st to the recent
IMG_0649_zpsnyfeo50k.jpg

My TDM at Norton, they use TDM 850 clutch plates bought from yamaha. They wouldn't give me any
IMG_0647_zpsrtlj4h2s.jpg
 


Edited by drewpy, 24 February 2017 - 09:45 pm.

"As I Lay Rubber down to street, I pray for traction I can keep. But if I skid and begin to slide, please dear god protect my ride"

Mods; Oil pressure switch, neoprene rear inner mudguard, scottoiler, highway pegs,  fenda extenda, 1999 carbs and airbox, Kais suspension setup, later clutch springs, LED lamps, Metmachex swingarm, Hagon Shock, Oxford heated grips, 4 way fused accessory Bus, 17" 3CV front wheel, Michellin R6 tyres, GPS speedo, 5' ignition advance.


#2 jono49

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Posted 24 February 2017 - 09:52 pm

Nice write up and pics Thank you! :good:


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#3 dapleb

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Posted 24 February 2017 - 10:19 pm

Cool I was there today too.... Well castle donington anyways. :-)
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#4 drewpy

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Posted 24 February 2017 - 11:01 pm

Cool I was there today too.... Well castle donington anyways. :-)

great weather today too


"As I Lay Rubber down to street, I pray for traction I can keep. But if I skid and begin to slide, please dear god protect my ride"

Mods; Oil pressure switch, neoprene rear inner mudguard, scottoiler, highway pegs,  fenda extenda, 1999 carbs and airbox, Kais suspension setup, later clutch springs, LED lamps, Metmachex swingarm, Hagon Shock, Oxford heated grips, 4 way fused accessory Bus, 17" 3CV front wheel, Michellin R6 tyres, GPS speedo, 5' ignition advance.


#5 pete7

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Posted 24 February 2017 - 11:18 pm

Fascinating pictures Drewpy, well done.

 

What do you think of their prospects for the future?

 

Will Norton succeed in making a bike which sells and makes money?

 

P7


Keep music live!
 

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#6 Catteeclan

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Posted 25 February 2017 - 08:51 am

Enjoyed that, thanks. :good:


2002 TDM900 Yellow


#7 Studley Ramrod

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Posted 25 February 2017 - 09:00 am

Thanks for sharing. :good:


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#8 Got1now

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Posted 25 February 2017 - 09:24 am

Good news about a great name making a comeback.
The red Norton looks lush!!!!!!

#9 drewpy

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Posted 25 February 2017 - 11:37 am

Good news about a great name making a comeback.
The red Norton looks lush!!!!!!

Pity it doesn't and has never, run. mock build as concept for cycle world magazine


"As I Lay Rubber down to street, I pray for traction I can keep. But if I skid and begin to slide, please dear god protect my ride"

Mods; Oil pressure switch, neoprene rear inner mudguard, scottoiler, highway pegs,  fenda extenda, 1999 carbs and airbox, Kais suspension setup, later clutch springs, LED lamps, Metmachex swingarm, Hagon Shock, Oxford heated grips, 4 way fused accessory Bus, 17" 3CV front wheel, Michellin R6 tyres, GPS speedo, 5' ignition advance.


#10 Andy25

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Posted 25 February 2017 - 07:30 pm

Some lovely bikes there
Looks like a cracking tour

#11 drewpy

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Posted 25 February 2017 - 08:58 pm

Fascinating pictures Drewpy, well done.

 

What do you think of their prospects for the future?

 

Will Norton succeed in making a bike which sells and makes money?

 

P7

they are betting everything on the new V4, its got 230bhp and they are using a lot of modular concepts and have a definate strategy especially with the new 650 twin (basically the V4 front cylinders)

 

They are very excited about it

 

the guide had some great stories to tell and could answer all my technical questions


Some lovely bikes there
Looks like a cracking tour

technically its free, but you make a suggested donation of £10 into the black norton fuel tank


Edited by drewpy, 25 February 2017 - 08:57 pm.

"As I Lay Rubber down to street, I pray for traction I can keep. But if I skid and begin to slide, please dear god protect my ride"

Mods; Oil pressure switch, neoprene rear inner mudguard, scottoiler, highway pegs,  fenda extenda, 1999 carbs and airbox, Kais suspension setup, later clutch springs, LED lamps, Metmachex swingarm, Hagon Shock, Oxford heated grips, 4 way fused accessory Bus, 17" 3CV front wheel, Michellin R6 tyres, GPS speedo, 5' ignition advance.


#12 divvxj

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Posted 26 February 2017 - 03:21 pm

Fascinating pictures Drewpy, well done.

 

What do you think of their prospects for the future?

 

Will Norton succeed in making a bike which sells and makes money?

 

P7

 

nope



#13 Quartermaster

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Posted 26 February 2017 - 08:37 pm

Very enjoyable write up. Can't afford one though.


 '73 Honda CB500 Four, Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Triumph Tiger Sport 660.


#14 pete7

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Posted 27 February 2017 - 04:44 pm

 

nope

 ...  why change the habits of the last 65 years

 

:blink:

 

P7


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#15 Riggers

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Posted 25 March 2017 - 06:40 pm

Great report, and thanks for taking the trouble to post.



#16 GrandPaul

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Posted 25 March 2017 - 08:59 pm

Pity it doesn't and has never, run. mock build as concept for cycle world magazine

Here is THE original non-running prototype from Kenny Dreer / Norton America, circa 1999-2000, that rocked the classic Britbike world when it was shown in New York at the IMS-

337734181.jpg

 

First time I saw it, I KNEW I'd own one.

 

Kenny sold ALMOST everything to Stuart Garner. He did NOT sell the monoshock rear end, blue bodywork, and "tight tuck" pipes to Garner, he sold them to me, and I built this replica-

376452458.jpg

 

The new ones are nice; I HOPE I own one, one day...


Edited by GrandPaul, 25 March 2017 - 09:00 pm.

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#17 danceswithmopeds

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Posted 25 March 2017 - 11:09 pm

Beautiful.

 

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#18 drewpy

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Posted 26 March 2017 - 05:51 pm

great story Paul, the UK Norton still import the cranks from USA


Edited by drewpy, 26 March 2017 - 05:51 pm.

"As I Lay Rubber down to street, I pray for traction I can keep. But if I skid and begin to slide, please dear god protect my ride"

Mods; Oil pressure switch, neoprene rear inner mudguard, scottoiler, highway pegs,  fenda extenda, 1999 carbs and airbox, Kais suspension setup, later clutch springs, LED lamps, Metmachex swingarm, Hagon Shock, Oxford heated grips, 4 way fused accessory Bus, 17" 3CV front wheel, Michellin R6 tyres, GPS speedo, 5' ignition advance.


#19 GrandPaul

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Posted 26 March 2017 - 11:23 pm

Yeah, they're global players these days. Almost ALL manufacturers are.

 

I still don't get why they dragged out the new Commando is such a horrid way, it really created a lot of ill will among the former depositors. ESPECIALLY in the U.S.

 

I like the V4 project, I REALLY like this rendering someone did with John Player Norton tribute livery...

 

17362763_1284478614975239_81819343228613

 

...maybe I'm biased, I restored this one...

 

413243749.jpg


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#20 mh1848

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Posted 27 March 2017 - 01:13 pm

Norton have been given 1st starting place on the Senior TT at this year's Isle of Man


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