Where it started.

Britfan60 · Aug 25, 2015

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Norton-VR880-CO ... 1413307745

The build price is more than our 961s

BritTwit · Aug 25, 2015

And you had to supply a donor bike too.
Dreer really tried to eliminate the Norton's basic weaknesses, and accentuate its strengths.
But they are really fanastic pieces of art as well.

grandpaul · Aug 25, 2015

It'll likely go over $15K.

I like the alloy (look?) bodywork, but not the excessive drilling.

grandpaul · Aug 25, 2015

"Where it started" was right here-

That frame, monoshock swingarm, big bearing tranny cradle, one-off / hand bent pipes, bodywork and starter are here now-

(well, the starter is on the shelf nearby...)

BritTwit · Aug 25, 2015

grandpaul said:
"Where it started" was right here-

Just noticed that Dreer's 880 had right side chain drive.
It had a whole different gearbox is guess?

Grandpaul, your creation is definitely a special hybrid Norzuki monoshocker.
Very slick.

richard-7 · Aug 25, 2015

Kenny Dreer 952 by Richard, on Flickr

BritTwit · Aug 25, 2015

richard-7 said:
Kenny Dreer 952 by Richard, on Flickr

Yeah!
That was his early 952 prototype with the shift shaft behind/below the primary.
It had gear drived cam also, and the oil pump was inside the crankcase.
But I never liked the blackout finish on the motor.

The covers and cooling fins were reshaped on the 961 to make it look more "classic Norton" like.

grandpaul · Aug 25, 2015

Actually, the original blue prototype bike wasn't actually a runner, but was one of the first test mule 952 engines.

Also, the running test bikes were all dual shock; I have the only monoshock that was built as the original concept.

BritTwit · Aug 25, 2015

Here is a photo of a later 952 prototype with new crankcases and dual shocks.
You can see the rough cut of the engine covers and cooling fins. It's not quite there yet in terms of style.
But on the right track for sure. Mags are a nice touch too.

BritTwit · Aug 25, 2015

Oh Hello! I thought you'd like to see these too.
With prototype of new Norton Girl.

Notice the rather flat timing cover on the 952 engine. Dreer gave the 961's cover nicer contours.
Mother nature gave the Norton Girl her curves.

richard-7 · Aug 26, 2015

Could this be the first Dreer vision for a concept production bike?

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Early 952 Conceptual drawing by Richard, on Flickr

richard-7 · Aug 26, 2015

Early 952 sketches.

Early 2003 952 Concept Sketches by Richard, on Flickr

richard-7 · Aug 26, 2015

Who doesn't just love behind the scene prototype shots???

Early Norton Concept by Richard, on Flickr

richard-7 · Aug 26, 2015

I always thought this one looked cool.

Norton 952 Commando Concept Rendering by Richard, on Flickr

richard-7 · Aug 26, 2015

looks like this one was the winner. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Norton 952 Commando Concept Rendering by Richard, on Flickr

Britfan60 · Aug 26, 2015

I like that it is accessible on ebay. That anyone of us that ponies up enough bucks can own one.

DBono · Aug 26, 2015

I was on the list with Kenny Dreer and obtained this photo (and others I can't locate now) from one of the staff.

BritTwit · Aug 26, 2015

The original 961 was very similar to ours except that the engine was a bit nicer done.

The shifter shaft was located under the clutch/primary which provided a very clean appearence.

Also, the oil pump was housed within the crankcase, so no ugly protusion from the right side crankcase behind the timing cover.

Maybe future refinements of the 961 design will rethink these decisions.

Where it started.

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