1956 Norton Model 99

worntorn

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A friend has been at this bike for a couple of years now, it is getting close. He bought it as a rolling basket with locked up motor for $1500. Luckily for him he has access to some very skilled people who did most of the work as a favour.
The owner wanted to do the internal stuff on the cheap and spend mostly on cosmetics, however the man doing the mechanical does not work that way. He takes no shortcuts so they locked horns now and then, but the engine builder won out, thankfully. Among other good things, it has a dynamically balanced crank.
With a 100 mph top speed it should cruise nicely at 65-70. It looks like a bike that one could really do some traveling on. And it is very pretty. I look forward to giving it a tryout this spring, if invited.

1956 Norton Model 99
 
Very nice looking classic, I like the shape of that fuel tank its the same shape tank on my bike, not many like them but I reacon they have lovely lines.

Hope he gives you that ride.

Ashley
 
Yes, stock mufflers. I'll have to ask him about the fender.

Glen
 
Be gentle - it looks like a good match to the shape of the back one.
And, its been painted already.
And if no-one mentions it, no-one will notice...
 
Conspiracy I tell you! I had a very complete '56 mod99 basket for the last 15 years or so with the intent of restoring it when I retired. Retirement is here and it I just couldn't see how I could afford to do anything with it so with much sole searching it was recently sold. Now every time I turn around a post like this or a photo pops up! <sigh>
It is a most beautiful bike. Congratulations to your friend on a very nice resto.
 
I have to say that when he bought it as a wreck I hardly paid notice. Now I find the wideline 99 to be one of the prettiest old bikes ever built. They are still quite inexpensive to buy and generally easy to get parts for. If a fifteen hundred dollar wreck comes my way in the future, I will go for it.

Glen
 
I always liked Triumph twins better than Nortons, however I think that as a road bike not intended to be thrashed the Norton is much better. I really liked the 650 Manxman that a friend of mine bought new when I was young. It was a good fast bike, and I felt it was better than a Bonneville.
 
acotrel said:
I always liked Triumph twins better than Nortons, however I think that......... the Norton is much better.

........ the 650 Manxman........I felt it was better than a Bonneville.
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You've got your own style, none can gainsay.
 
RedBeemer said:
Conspiracy I tell you! I had a very complete '56 mod99 basket for the last 15 years or so with the intent of restoring it when I retired. Retirement is here and it I just couldn't see how I could afford to do anything with it so with much sole searching it was recently sold. Now every time I turn around a post like this or a photo pops up! <sigh>
It is a most beautiful bike. Congratulations to your friend on a very nice resto.
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Was your's the one that sold last week on craigslist from SLO, Ca?
 
No, I sold it thru the local newsletter (Chicago NOC). It went up to someplace in north-west Wisconsin. Talking with the buyer, I think it got a good home.
 
RedBeemer said:
No, I sold it thru the local newsletter (Chicago NOC). It went up to someplace in north-west Wisconsin. Talking with the buyer, I think it got a good home.
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I bet it looked something like this.

1956 Norton Model 99
 
AWESOME! Glad to see you jumping on that project. Sellers' remorse easing a bit. Thanks and keep in touch.
 
RedBeemer said:
AWESOME! Glad to see you jumping on that project. Sellers' remorse easing a bit. Thanks and keep in touch.
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I still need to collect a few parts and or decide on the direction I want to take it so it still a ways off before I get a serious start on it.
 
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