After a strange and difficult journey, Norton announced that the first 40 motorcycles to officially roll off the production line will be Commandos.
After a year-long hiatus, Norton is cold-starting and firing on all cylinders after TVS – and Indian transnational – acquired the brand in a £16m deal last April. The company has built a brand new manufacturing facility in Solihull and plans to utilize that among other key assets to fulfill the Commandos that have already been pre-ordered by older customers. CEO John Russel stated that there will probably be a few units left over after fulfilling these previous orders.
Russel also added “We want to change from a cottage industry to a credible motorcycle manufacturer. We have set up an interim factory in Solihull and are laying down the production lines now. Even though it is temporary (probably for the next 4-5 years) it will still probably be the best facility Norton have ever had”
“That bike still needs some development and we will be sourcing some of the components from different suppliers. It’s a bike that has the right weight and riding position to suit the less experienced and those wanting a bike without too much drama.
“That should see us through the next 18 months and then we will start looking at new opportunities. We want Norton to be quintessentially British. Self assured, sturdy, an Aston Martin rather than a Ferrari.
“We want there to be substance and we won’t just be sticking Union Jacks everywhere. We want to make great products that just so happen to be British and they will be manufactured in Britain. But we won’t always be buying British parts. The motorcycle industry is multi-national and you can’t always get the best tech in the UK.”
The company is planning on growing at a very fast pace; after TVS acquired the brand only 55 employees remained. Russel speculates that the company could grow to a total of 200 employees now that the brand’s walking has turned into a brisk running pace. We hope the best for this heritage start-up and look forward to the new Commandos coming to fruition.
A 1960 Harley-Davidson FL Duo Glide that spent 37 years sitting in a shed in Queensland headlines Shannons’ Timed Online Classic sale later this month.
The bike is one of seven motorcycles crossing the “virtual auction block” from 20 May to 3 June 2020.
You can arrange a virtual video tour of any specific lot bycontact the Melbourne or Sydney auction teams on 13 4646 (Option 6) or via email at [email protected]
Duo Glide
The recommissioned 1960 Harley-Davidson FL Duo Glide is expected to bring $20,000 – $24,000 when offered with ’no reserve’.
The 1960 FL Duo-Glide replaced the Hydra-Glide as the big American touring bike of choice.
It was a major innovation in the history of Harley-Davidson,introducinga number of changes, introducing proper swing-arm with coil-over shocks rear suspension.
Purchased from a deceased estate, the Harley had been the subject of some previous mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment, but a major service was carried out by marque specialists Macksville Motorcycles in preparation for its sale, with recent invoices on file totalling almost $2,500.
The one-owner Velocette Sportsman 500cc solo is one of only 40 Sportsmans made available for Australia.
It was purchased new from Burling & Simmons on Parramatta Road, Auburn, in Easter 1970 and has been cherished by its original Sydney owner ever since.
Well-known in the Velocette community, the bike remained registered in NSW until 2012, when it was deregistered and kept in storage until now.
Still largely original, the Velocette was completely overhauled mechanically in 1994 and is offered for sale for the first time in 50 years, with its odometer showing just 2,983 miles.
It is expected to sell in the $18,000 – $22,000 range.
Bonneville
This 1961 Triumph T120R Bonneville 650cc solo is expected to sell with ‘no reserve’ for $15,000 – $18,000.
TheT120Rremained the most powerful, fastest and desirable bike in Triumph’s catalogue for over a decade, with numerous variants offered for sale along the way.
Fully restored by a specialist workshop in Melbourne several years ago, this early Pre-Unit T120R Bonneville with corresponding engine and frame numbers dates from early 1961, comes in the correct Sky Blue over Silver Sheen colour combination.
With its mileage reset to zero at the time of restoration, the bike was showing just 285 miles on its odometer at the time of cataloguing.
BSA
There are two restored 500cc Pre-War BSA solos in the online auction – a circa 1935 Model W35-7 and a c1937 M20 – each offered with ‘no reserve’ and expected to sell in the $14,000 – $16,000 range.
Fully restored by its previous owner in West Australia, the 1935 W35-7 has a rebuilt motor and numerous new parts, with the addition of a rare brass trouble light to illuminate its instruments.
With its frame and engine numbers both dating from the first year of the model’s production,the 1937M20 has been the subject of a fresh ground-up restoration by its current owner.
The bike features the correct hand gear change, Brooklands silencer and fishtail, genuine Smiths speedo and drum speedo gear and is showing zero miles on its odometer.
The fully-restored 1974 Norton Commando 850 MkIIA comes in black with gold pin-striping on its tank, a black saddle, chrome mudguards and wire wheels.
Nortonintroduced the 828ccCommandoin 1967.
It has been mechanically updated and is expected to sell price for $12,000 – $16,000.
There is also a 1978 Honda CT70 Mini Trial Bike in good operating condition that is being offered with ‘no reserve’ and is expected to bring $3,500 – $4,500.
Norton Motorcycleswill continue to be British made and the new owner, India’s TVS Motor Company, promises to go ahead and build the pledged Atlas (pictured above) and V4 RR models.
TVS bought the troubled British manufacturer in a $A31m cash deal at the weekend.
The Indian company plans to continue production at Donington Hall and then move to a new headquarters nearby in Leicestershire.
Norton’s Donington Hall factory
New owner
TVS Corporate Communication VP Varghese M Thomas tells us the new owner will continue to build the Commando, Dominator and V4 RR as well as the promised Atlas series.
That is despite the Atlas 650cc parallel twin engine being sold by former Norton CEO Stuart Garner to a Chinese company.
In further good news for Australian Norton fans, Varghese tells us they will continue with their current dealer network with importer james Mutton of Brisbane Motorcycles.
James says they have returned deposits to those who paid for bikes not yet delivered, but if they decided to go ahead wth their order, they would not lose their place in the queue.
Norton V4 RR
The 1200cc V4RR was priced at £28,000 in the UK and $59,990 in Australia plus on-road costs, but we don’t believe any models have yet been delivered to customers.
Likewise, the Atlas models which have powered by a 650cc which is basically half the 1200cc V4’s engine, were expected to be released this year for £9995 (Nomad) and £11,995 (Ranger), but have not yet been produced. They should cost around $A20,000 here.
Atlas Ranger
Atlas Nomad
Varghese says he cannot answer our questions about warranty and spare parts “at this point in time”.
There is also no word yet on whether any motorcycles or at least components will be built by TVS in India.
A British notice that Norton will be struck off the Register of Companies and dissolved is no cause for alarm, says Norton Motorcycles.
“It’s a standard late-filing notice,” a company spokesperson told us.
“We’re not going bust or indeed going anywhere.”
Only last week the company posted the above social media photo of a beautiful Commando Street.
Unfortunately, they are only making 50 which are limited to the UK due to homologation. Click here to make an enquiry.
“We are currently delivering more bikes than ever and investing millions in a larger production facility along with new model launches.
Donnington Hall where Norton continues to build motorcycles
“We have a very strong future ahead.”
The Companies House notice was published by UK website Visordown.
“We have contacted Visordown but sadly they will not respond,” thge Norton spokesperson says.
Big year ahead
We recently published an article saying Norton Motorcycles will have a big year ahead.
Here is that article:
Norton Motorcycles is expected to improve reliability and spare parts availability as well as delivering important new models this year after two major cash injections.
Lust stretching right back to my teenage years was enough to convince me to accept his offer.
But I was also interested to see if the hefty price tag of $32,990 plus on-road costs is justified.
Before departing, James tells me the ECU update has taken some of the lumpiness and grumpiness out of the engine, particularly when cold or ridden at low speeds.
However, we let it idle for a few minutes to warm up, just in case.
As we head out into busy morning traffic I am pleasantly surprised at how tame and manageable it feels.
However, when we turn the Commando 961 forks toward Mt Glorious, it lets rip with a maniacal yelp and plenty of bite from the 961cc parallel twin pushrod engine with 60kW of power and 80Nm of torque.
They are not world-leading figures, but there is a tone and character to this engine that is absolutely delightful and infectious.
The engine throbs and purrs with the best induction roar since Samson slayed that recalcitrant lion.
At idle, the twin pipes burble delightfully but their note is lost in the induction roar as you power on. So it entertains the rider, rather than alarming the general public.
Tingling ride
We press on into the hills and the Commando 961 tingles my fingers, my feet and the antennae-like wing mirrors — if I could afford one, the first thing I would do is ditch those mirrors for bar-end units.
Handling duties are managed by Ohlins forks and shocks, so it’s predictable, sharp, precise and firm, but with a compliant ride over the harsh bumps.
A perfect, neutral handling bike with light steering and a joy to throw around S-bends.
However, I feel a strange disconnect with the bike. Not emotionally, but physically … in the seat of my pants!
I soon realise it’s due to the shape and design of the narrow-fronted seat and scalloped tank.
The seat is comfortable and fits me well, but my knees are too far forward and underneath the indents on the tank.
Consequently my knees are hanging out in the breeze rather than gripping the tank.
I move my rear rearward and it feels better, but still a little strange.
As we slice through the corners, I tap-dance on the gearshift and find the gears as slick as many Japanese motorcycles.
In fact, unless you watch the green neutral light flick off, you wouldn’t know you had selected first gear it is that smooth and quiet.
There are only five gears but with hefty midrange torque, you don’t really need to mess around with a lot of cog swapping.
In fact, I use only three gears up and down Mt Glorious.
Yet you can also short shift and cruise around in top gear even on city roads.
The Commando 961 is a bike that will accommodate any style of riding and reward in a responsive and entertaining way.
But don’t think of this like an original Commando with its lightweight featherbed frame.
This feels a bulkier and more substantial bike.
I was a little surprised to find the instruments only included an odometer, one trip, a clock and a volt meter with the toggle button between the two analogue dials, not on a switchblock on the bars.
But then, this is supposed to be a neo-classic.
Some of the current neo-classics are a little too hi-tech, defeating the whole purpose of getting back into the retro feel.
Is it worth it?
Sport and Cafe Racer models
After a delightful romp through the hills we are back at Brisbane Motorcycles and I am still pondering why anyone would pay so much for a fairly basic motorcycle.
Yet I’m still wanting one and wondering how I can finance it.
Why is that?
There’s no lavish paint, hi-tech wizardry, spec sheet bragging rights or acres of chrome to admire.
In fact, the casings are a lightly polished alloy that is already developing an oxidised patina.
Then it hits me. That’s exactly what I like.
It feels authentic. It feels hand-built. It feels like quality without any unnecessary trimmings, except for those hand-painted gold pin stripes.
There is a certain intrinsic value to this bike that does not translate to the bank balance.
I know I could afford two Japanese bikes for the same price, but I don’t know that I would feel the same level of pride in ownership.
Norton Commando 961 Sport Mk II
Price:
$32,990 plus on-road costs
Engine:
961cc push-rod valve actuation, 3 bearing crank and balancer shaft.
Power:
58.4kW @ 6500rpm
Torque:
90Nm @ 5200rpm
Compression:
10.0:1
Bore x stroke:
88.0 x 79.0 mm (3.5 x 3.1 inches)
Valves per cylinder:
2
Fuel system:
Injection
Ignition:
Digital
Lubrication system:
Dry sump
Cooling system:
Air
Gearbox:
5-speed
Transmission:
Chain
Clutch:
Wet multi-plate hydraulic lifter
Driveline:
Constant mesh
Emissions:
3 way catalytic converter.
Exhaust:
Stainless steel
Frame:
Steel tubular with integral oil tank.
Rake (fork angle):
24.5°
Trail:
99mm (3.9 inches)
Front suspension:
43mm Ohlins RWU – adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
Norton’s Donington Hall factory
Norton V4 RR
