Update 9.3.2020: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc By the early 1970s, if you were a roadracer or a cafe rat with a few extra shillings and a penchant for Nortons, tuner Paul Dunstall’s name was never far from your mind. A retired racer, Dunstall started knocking out performance exhausts for…
The history of rotary motorcycles is relatively short and includes a few technologically interesting, but largely unsuccessful motorcycles by Hercules, Suzuki, and Nortons. I’ll admit that I’m stretching the definition of “sport bike” much more than I usually do with this Norton Commando P52 police bike, but it’s such an oddball I had to post…
Update 7.2.2019: We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Amatumoto Grand Prix Motorbikes for being a sponsor of RSBFS! This 1949 Norton International is available now for purchase. Contact Amatumoto today! -dc The Norton International was the Yamaha R1M of the era surrounding WWII. Developed in the early 1930s as a road-going version of…
According to Wikipedia: “The Norton Manx or Manx Norton is a British racing motorcycle that was made from 1947 to 1962 by Norton Motors Ltd.” And as any avid motorcycle enthusiast will know, this is a truly iconic brand and model – dominating the TT as well as other races in the day. Knowledgeable readers…
Update 5.21.2018: SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc When you think of the most storied marques in motorcycling history, what do you think of? The Japanese Big Four have certainly been dominant on the racing scene as of late, with Italy holding their own throughout the ages. But it was the English brands that…
Reaching back a bit further than regular RSBFS fare, today’s bike is a great example of a rare, motorsports-themed repli-racer. Sure, it’s nearly 44 years old, but an iconic model of a legendary marque will always have a home in a collector’s heart. In this case, a Norton-Villiers era British twin celebrating success in the…
In the mid-20th Century, Norton occupied rarefied standing in motorcycling, making itself legendary among racers in Britain and Europe, taking home Manx TT trophies and trading wins with other big names on the continent and in the Isles. Its big-bore engines and revolutionary vibration-isolating frame designs made the brand wildly popular, cutting edge and fast.…
While it could easily be mistaken for a vintage machine updated with modern wheels and suspension, this Norton Commando 961 is actually a brand-new motorcycle. This is a pricey, exclusive, retro-styled motorcycle for classic bike fans who want vintage charm and modern-ish performance, like a British SportClassic. With the sport v-twin configuration most closely associated with…